Year round outdoor exclosures?
 

I keep horsfield tortoises. In the summer they are outdoors in a suitable run/enclosure and in the winter (whilst not hibernating) then they go in the tortoise tables.
However, I'm now thinking about setting up outdoor enclosures in the shed for winter which has power. It would allow for more space for the tortoises. But is it doable? Anyone have any suggestions?

Quick reply.

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Have a look at this thread.

I posted some pictures and some description. I had used an old wardrobe for their housing within a shed. Top soil substrate in the house and pea shingle in the shed. MV lamp just outside the house for when chilly and a ceramic lamp inside the house for when chilly at night. Alan also posted pictures on this thread.

I wonder whether you mean to keep them up during winter in a heated shed ! sorry if go wrong end of stick- probably not got any end of stick as you may mean to tide them over until hibernation! If its over winter them it will probably need quite a bit of insulation, confined to an area ? also and not sure where you are in the country but keepers on here such as Jan, will be able to advise with an steer towards requirements if you were in Scotland !

The most difficult time I find isn't the pre hibernation / keeping them dry until they sleep its the waking up after and the in between time from tortoise table to outdoors. CB

Thank you Jan, that certainly looks interesting and well made!

I do mean keeping them outside when not hibernating, so something that'll keep them warm enough until they can go outside for summer. Although I may be overwintering one female as she hasn't seemed 'right' for the last couple of weeks.

Does anyone else have any other tips or ideas?

My husband is currently building me a shed and run for my tortoises to hopefully live in all year round. It has a concrete floor at the moment but will have insulation and flooring on top of that when it is finished. Jan your set up looks like what I am aiming for. Is there a reason you have used shingle rather than top soil? Also any other tips or suggestions as now the frame of the shed is up, I am struggling with how to go about the inside of it.

Yes its do able. I kept mine up last winter (long story!) I made their house myself, from decking, insulated with 50mm celotex boards. The shed is similar to a ready made one my male margie has, which is a 4 x 3 "tool store" (by Forest ) its about 3 foot high & top opening. (Which is a pain if its raining at the time you want to go out & tend them!) Mine backs onto a small greenhouse but once it got colder I blocked their access to the greenhouse. Mine had a combined bulb hung from a hanging basket bracket & a 2 ft 80watt tubular heater, which I found worked fine.

I use top soil in the indoor pen but found top soil on the floor of the shed a real mess. I also put an old dog basket in the shed full on soil in case I had put too much pea shingle down - but they walked over it once and that was it. They only tend to spend time in their indoor house or out in the garden. They only spend time in the shed if I have put the lamp on because of the weather and they bask under there for a while.

I put loft insulation boards on top of the concrete floor.

I am still wondering about insulating the shed as it is often the same temperature as outside. What I have concentrated on is insulating their house. In the winter when they were hibernating I used really think loft insulation on the top and bubble wrap round the sides. Monitoring the temperature was really important as I had to put the ceramic lamp on a couple of times next to their hibernation area to ensure stayed at 5 degrees. This year I will be setting up automatic heating to come on to keep from going below freezing.