Russian tortoise barn

[Jodie]

I have been using 2 night boxes for my 3.6 group in their garden enclosure. The boxes are 2X4 feet and 4X4 feet. This works, but not well. My springs and falls are too cold for much outside time. I have a 8X12 foot green house in the garden. It helps, but I needed a way to keep them awake later in the fall.
We decided to buy a Tuff Shed.
We leveled an area off the garden, outside the existing 25X25 foot enclosure area.

They installed the shed in a few hours.

We then insulated the inside.

My husband built a large shelf. This will be a large closed chamber enclosure for young Russians.

A tortoise door. Changed the ramp.

Paint and my husband built a deck.

And finally the fun part. Lots of sight barrier, and corners. 3 basking areas. I will add a nesting area in the back corner tomorrow.


The full enclosure from my backdoor.
The old boxes are on the left side.

 

[leigti]

Very nice. Did you insulate the floor? Do you still plan on hibernating them for a couple months in the winter? I will be glad when the real spring gets here. My tortoises have only been outside a total of three days. And you guys are even colder up there. That tourtoise shed will definitely let them get more outdoor time.

 

[Jodie]

I did insulate the floor. We put down Styrofoam insulation, then a floating floor on top.
They have been in the boxes, and get out for a bit most days. The green house helps. They go out even when cold.
I will hibernate yes. I need to be able to keep them up through November though. This way they can sleep until sometime in March.