Next day back to B&Q:
- A plastic pot
- More top soil
- 2x black stone like bits like before

I built a 'mountain' with a little hide in it:

I also put in their new house which i bought off eBay:

Then this evening back to B&Q to buy:
- 5 rolls of turf
- 2x 35l bags of Top Soil
- Another bamboo divider

Then set to work. Laid the turf. It doesn't look wonderful atm as its just been laid. Needs time so it can plant itself. After taking these pics i trod it down and watered it:

This is where the 'coldframe' will go (Big plastic like green house - idea is the sun heats it and the air inside stays warmer for longer even when the sun goes in):

This is the cold frame - Just waiting for it to arrive - No the woman doesn't come with it :

This is where; the food slate is, the water bowl (bought, just waiting for it to arrive), all the weeds are growing and obv the hill with a hide built in. (If you look hard enough you might spot one of the little'uns):

The cosy hide with the built roof - This is where the outside heat lamp will go for if its too cold and they need to warm up:

Light was purchased and wired up:

This is going to be on a timer...
- 2 hours in the morning
- 2 hours at lunchtime
- 2 hours in the evening.

The temperature readings when it is on are:
Min - 30c
Max - 35c

 

Several days later both the coldframe and the water bowl arrived. With the coldframe I've decided to only use half of it as its massive and it looks silly if i use the whole thing.

They can get in by the stones. In the end i decided to do it so they crawl up into it. It doesn't look like it, but there is enough room for them to get under. When they get bigger i'll make it bigger.

SO here it is with the guys enjoying it:

Another several days later i added this chappie to the enclosure:

The enclosure needs to be preditor proof as the tortoises are only babies. As birds and foxes etc could come take them. So i needed some way of enclosing it but wanted something i could still get in.

So i decided to make a 'walk in' enclosure:

Originally i was going to use chicken wire to enclose the enclosure but it was too much of a mission and expensive so bought some of this:

After approx 1200 staples later the enclosure is finally preditor proof. Just need a couple of bits of velcro so the doors can stay secure. The doors are either side.


Doors closed:

Doors open (so i can get in):

 

wow! looks fantastic!

 

Here are some final pictures of the enclosure and my 2 babies enjoying themselves:

They will be living outside 24/7 as of next week, and only brought in if its been cold/raining for a few days straight and of course for winter during hibernation.


Hope you have enjoyed the read and the enclosure as much as i've enjoyed making it. :2thumb:


Next project is going to be a fish pond



Paul

 

that is absolutely fantastic. They have a great home!!! well done:no1:

 

good job

 

Wow!! That is really amazing! It's obvious you've put so much energy into it for the little guys.

 

Congratulations, i think it is brilliant, and a lot of thought as gone into that. (not to mention time!) :2thumb:

 

If i was building an enclosure it's just how i would want it ! :no1:

It's amazing, i think a job well done.

I got my slate from BnQ too, looks just like yours, i spent ages deciding which bits i wanted because they had a million differn't types of slate :blush:


Do you leave them in it when you go to out etc?

I'm suprised no one trys to take them! :gasp: They would in Teesside any way

 

Thanks for the comments guys.

....I got my slate from BnQ too, looks just like yours, i spent ages deciding which bits i wanted because they had a million differn't types of slate :blush:


Do you leave them in it when you go to out etc?......

Haha tell me about it, i went through every single bit about 5 times, and then once more, trying to find the best bits.

As of last night they will now be spending 24/7 out there, unless theres a few days where the weathers terrible, then they will come in for a day or 2 to warm up, then they'll go back out.

My back gate will now have a big lock on it lol.




Paul

 

thats brilliant job well done mate :2thumb:

 

thats an absolutely awesome enclosure:2thumb::no1:

like stephenie191 i'd be worried about someone trying to steal them
i'd probably get the other half to set up a camera system to cover it although i am a bit of a worrier (hmm not sure thats a word)

as it is my number one fear whenever we go away is getting a call from the guy who changes food and water while we're away to say we've been broken into and the pets have gone

i'd be devastated i really really love my pets

god knows what i'd do if i ever found out who did it, some of my friends told my OH it not the best idea to let me take up kickboxing

 

that is so awesome =]

 

That is exactly how i would think of paradise if i were a tortoise,
It is a very nice pen and a wonderfully made pen too.
The best pen i have seen on here and i have ever seen.
:2thumb::2thumb::2thumb::2thumb::2thumb::2thumb:

 

Thanks for the replies.

luckily the way the houses face there aren't many that can see into my back garden. There is also a big padlock on the rear gate and i've just put up a security light. Also plan on getting a small camera covering the back gate (only way in).


The guys live out there 24/7 now. The are still getting used to it, but seem to like it.



Paul

 

Wow that looks amazing! I bet they love it!

Now you can come round mine and build one for me :whistling2::lol2:

 

.....Now you can come round mine and build one for me :whistling2::lol2:

Sorry, as of next week i'm starting on my next project...

A 10 foot x 6 foot x 4 foot deep pond



(Being hand dug :gasp


Paul

 

wow, thats really great....................i wish we had the room to do that for ours.

 

that looks fantastic, my torts are jealous! and has made me rethink my outdoor pen plans

 

What lucky torts! They're gonna have a ball!


Just makes me feel all the worse though for the ones that are stuck in tanks. =/

 

Thanks.

Like i said it was a pleasure building it and was a nice little project.
They seem to enjoy it.


Starting on the pond project today lol.



Paul

 

Wow thats amazing can't wait to see you pond =D

 

http://www.reptileforums.co.uk/fish-keeping/313906-fish-pond-build.html




Paul

 

That looks amazing. :notworthy:

 

amazing

thats amazing well done, how many tortoises are you keeping in there??????

 

thats amazing well done, how many tortoises are you keeping in there??????

There are 2 babys in there. (well they are both just under 2 years old)



Paul

 

Great enclosure! Which subspecies of Hermann's are they?

Matthew

 

thats well smart !!

 

oh wow that is fantastic!!!

what light have you used for outside, im building speedy an outdoor enclosure but hes coming in on a night.