Thoughts?

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Hey guys! So happy that our UK weather is finally starting to warm up, meaning squirt can start spending some time outdoors againI didn’t get round to setting up her outdoor space last year but really want to do it this year so we don’t have to keep following her around, I imagine it’s frustrating when we have to keep re directing her.

Now the problem I have is it’s obviously not my garden and it’s not the biggest, they’re wanting something that doesn’t need to be up permanently, which is fair enough considering she doesn’t get to use it for long in our climate, I’ve been shopping around a while and think this run might be the best option, we have a fence all one side, meaning I can use this to create a 10x20ft space for her to roam on one side of the garden, or when they’d like more space in the height of summer I can make a 10x10ft space, either way a nice size for her to explore.

My only hesitancy with it is, there’s no visual barrier to it and I’m worried that’s going to bother her, I always advocate for one when it comes to fencing, but seeing as this won’t be her permanent space, and whenever she’ll be using it, we’ll be out there with her, if it’ll be too much of an issue? I considered getting creative and using this vinyl stuff to create a barrier at the bottom, but because I’d need to stick both sides, it’d only be 6inches high, which idk if that’s worth it, just curious on peoples thoughts or if anyone else has used something like this? I definitely wouldn’t recommend it for a permanent space, you’d want something much more sturdy, but because we’ll be out there with her, I’m thinking it could work quite nicely during summer, but thoughts are welcomed!

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

I don't think that adhesive vinyl will work. But maybe there are HDPE balcony privacy screens? They come in rolls and you can attach them with zip ties or rope (usually included).
Like this one: https://www.amazon.co.uk/WUZMING-Pr...-Blockage/dp/B09ZF4JD89/?tag=exoticpetnetw-20

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

I don't think that adhesive vinyl will work. But maybe there are HDPE balcony privacy screens? They come in rolls and you can attach them with zip ties or rope (usually included).
Like this one: https://www.amazon.co.uk/WUZMING-Pr...-Blockage/dp/B09ZF4JD89/?tag=exoticpetnetw-20

Yeah I did look at privacy screen rolls too, but unfortunately for the amount I need, it works out far too much, I need a total of 40ft for all the panels, even the longest roll here leaves me about 10ft short

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

@Alex and the Redfoot do you think the run in general is a good shout? I’ve looked and looked, and I just can’t find anything I can make that big for the price and that can be folded away, I really would ideally like a visual barrier, not just for squirt, they have a little dog that I know will be going mad if she can see her, not in a nasty way, she just gets excited, she’s tiny so can’t jump the fence or anything, but she’ll be running up and down I can see it now

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

I guess it just depends if I can figure it out, really want her to have a nice designated spot this year, they’ve been really good in allowing me to set up that kind of space considering how small the garden is

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Oh I can see now it goes up to about 39 feet, a foot short isn’t too bad actually, this might be the best way to go, another 50 quid on top of the 100 for the run mindbut she’s worth it lol, only problem is it could take a month to get here which seems a shame now the weather is getting nice

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

I am thinking something similar, but I don't know whether it is a good idea. Edward definitely will try its limits. I was thinking that I might need to stake it down like a tent

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

I am thinking something similar, but I don't know whether it is a good idea. Edward definitely will try its limits. I was thinking that I might need to stake it down like a tent

lol yeah Russians are so good at escaping too, honestly I think squirt is too lazy to even trybut luckily we’ll be able to sit out there and keep watch either way, this one does actually have steaks you put into the ground at each joint, it looks pretty good and has decent reviews, if it can contain a large dog like people say, I’m confident it’ll work for a tort

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

I am thinking something similar, but I don't know whether it is a good idea. Edward definitely will try its limits. I was thinking that I might need to stake it down like a tent

Edward did once try to dig out under his cold frame wall. Luckily we cached him with only front legs on the wrong side... I don't know if Edward is good at escaping, as he never has done so but it is not for the lack of determination.

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Edward did once try to dig out under his cold frame wall. Luckily we cached him with only front legs on the wrong side... I don't know if Edward is good at escaping, as he never has done so but it is not for the lack of determination.

lol bless him! They sure give it their all

 

[Tom]

Rather than use see-through fencing that is already too short, and then covering it with something, why not just use plywood and stakes?

Most hard ware stores here will cut the wood for you, so a single $17 sheet of plywood can be cut into three 8 foot by 16 inch strips or four 12 inch strips. This would give you 24 feet or 32 feet of length respectively for $17. You can prime and paint it if you want it to look nice and last a little longer, or just leave it raw and let it weather.

At the same hardware store, they will likely sell cheap wooden stakes that can be driven into the ground with a hammer and easily removed whenever you want. Here is a pack of 12 for less than $5:

https://www.lowes.com/pd/12-Pack-12-in-Wood-Landscape-Stake/1000404377?cm_mmc=shp-_-c-_-prd-_-lum-_-bng-_-CRP_SHP_LIA_LUM_Online_E-F-_-1000404377-_-0-_-0-_-0&msclkid=85d2268fa99f129b25c4416459548bc6&gclid=85d2268fa99f129b25c4416459548bc6&gclsrc=3p.ds

I had my whole back yard done up this way, but I now I can't find a decent pic of it. Here you can see the concept in my star enclosure on a mulberry leaf feeding day. I'm using a 4x4 post to screw the divider boards to, but that is where you'd use one of those stakes.

 

[Tom]

Here is another way to do it that is temporary and easily removed. I have a cover over this one for baby tortoises just incase a bird got any ideas:



These blocks will leave a "foot print" when removed, but the stakes in the previous post really don't. In your rainy climate, the foot print would grow over in a couple of weeks and after a month, I doubt you'd be able to tell there had been a block sitting there.

 

[TammyJ]

Tom beat me to the concrete block suggestion!

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Rather than use see-through fencing that is already too short, and then covering it with something, why not just use plywood and stakes?

Most hard ware stores here will cut the wood for you, so a single $17 sheet of plywood can be cut into three 8 foot by 16 inch strips or four 12 inch strips. This would give you 24 feet or 32 feet of length respectively for $17. You can prime and paint it if you want it to look nice and last a little longer, or just leave it raw and let it weather.

At the same hardware store, they will likely sell cheap wooden stakes that can be driven into the ground with a hammer and easily removed whenever you want. Here is a pack of 12 for less than $5:

https://www.lowes.com/pd/12-Pack-12-in-Wood-Landscape-Stake/1000404377?cm_mmc=shp-_-c-_-prd-_-lum-_-bng-_-CRP_SHP_LIA_LUM_Online_E-F-_-1000404377-_-0-_-0-_-0&msclkid=85d2268fa99f129b25c4416459548bc6&gclid=85d2268fa99f129b25c4416459548bc6&gclsrc=3p.ds

I had my whole back yard done up this way, but I now I can't find a decent pic of it. Here you can see the concept in my star enclosure on a mulberry leaf feeding day. I'm using a 4x4 post to screw the divider boards to, but that is where you'd use one of those stakes.
View attachment 389233

The height of the fencing looked pretty good to me? Over 20 inches tall


Plywood isn’t as cheap here, for the amount I’d need when I looked into it, it’d work out more and they don’t really have anywhere to store 8ft planks

Here is another way to do it that is temporary and easily removed. I have a cover over this one for baby tortoises just incase a bird got any ideas:
View attachment 389234
View attachment 389235

These blocks will leave a "foot print" when removed, but the stakes in the previous post really don't. In your rainy climate, the foot print would grow over in a couple of weeks and after a month, I doubt you'd be able to tell there had been a block sitting there.

I like the cinder block idea, but I have seen a post about it causing abrasion of the side of the shell, I know that’s not the case for most but it’d be annoying having to build another barrier. That, and again for the amount needed, it’d work out similar and I don’t think they’d be thrilled storing a pile of bricks

I think they like the fact these panels are much easier to store and open up for when squirt isn’t in there, they still want their little dog to have the run of the place when she’s not out there, I also have to factor in that whilst their dog is tiny, she could probably easily jump the plank or cinder block height, I could build a lid, but that wouldn’t be easy for a 10x20ft space

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

I’ve not bought the run yet so definitely still open to suggestions! Unfortunately I don’t think the wood and cinder blocks are practical for what they want achieved.

I’m trying to get something they’re happy with, and keeps the dog out, so they can both enjoy the sunshine without coming into contact, currently the dog has to be kept inside whilst squirt has a wonder.
I’d definitely go with the above suggestions if it were more cost effective in our location(I’d love to bring the current price down if I can, I’m covering the cost so don’t mind, but any saving is great!)and if it was for something more permanent, but they want the option of adjusting its size from 20x10 to 10x10 depending on the day, I don’t think they’ll be happy having to constantly pull steaks out the ground or lug bricks aboutthe panels are pretty easy to remove and much more compact for storage.

With those things in mind, are there any other ideas I’ve possibly not considered? Or does the run seem a good shout? I’m thrown by @Tom mentioning it’s too short, did I misunderstand what you meant?

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Always love your enclosures btw @Tom ! If I ever get my own garden, I’ll be following suit lol

 

[Tom]

I’m thrown by @Tom mentioning it’s too short, did I misunderstand what you meant?

Poor reading comprehension on my part. I skimmed through your post too quickly and I saw this part: "I considered getting creative and using this vinyl stuff to create a barrier at the bottom, but because I’d need to stick both sides, it’d only be 6inches high..." I mistakenly thought the whole thing was 6 inches high, and I missed the part about the vinyl barrier only being 6 inches high. My apologies.

At 20 inches, it is not likely to keep most dogs out though.

Always love your enclosures btw @Tom ! If I ever get my own garden, I’ll be following suit lol

My enclosures tend to be practical and spartan. @Markw84 and a few others here set the gold standard for fantastic enclosures. I try to copy theirs.

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Poor reading comprehension on my part. I skimmed through your post too quickly and I saw this part: "I considered getting creative and using this vinyl stuff to create a barrier at the bottom, but because I’d need to stick both sides, it’d only be 6inches high..." I mistakenly thought the whole thing was 6 inches high, and I missed the part about the vinyl barrier only being 6 inches high. My apologies.

At 20 inches, it is not likely to keep most dogs out though.


My enclosures tend to be practical and spartan. @Markw84 and a few others here set the gold standard for fantastic enclosures. I try to copy theirs.

No worries!
She’s smallest of the smallest lol, this is a photo from one of the reviews, I’d say she’s a similar height to the dogs in the photo, I’d struggle to envision her getting over it

I like the link to that privacy roll @Alex and the Redfoot added, it would cover the entire height, it’d be roughly a foot short, but I can definitely come up with something for that if it’s an issue, the metal holes are 50cm apart and each panel is 80cm long, so I like that I can cut it to zip tie to each individual panel.

I don’t love the expense when you consider how cost effective it can be to build outdoor spacesbut with all the other factors to consider, I’m thinking it might be the way to go..I’m still looking into other ideas though, don’t want to jump to it just yet in case there’s a better option

 

[Anastasia 22]

If it's temporary, I would wrap it with shower curtains (not clear ones).

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

If it's temporary, I would wrap it with shower curtains (not clear ones).

This isn’t a bad idea! Will look into what I can find, need 40ft worth ideally lol