Sulcata winter housing

[judith ann]

Am looking to make a winter house for my Sulcata but not sure on measurements .It obviously has to have heatingin it so how high would it have to be ? Also she will be in there most of the time cause of our english weather so how big ? Want to make the smallest possible without detriment to her health as she will have free roam of the garden .Would a greenhouse do ? If so what sort of heating would i need ? Do you allow them to choose weather they go in or out even in bad weather ? Judy

[Pussygalore]

greenhouses only really work in the summer and would cost a fortune to heat at least to sully temps as all the heat would just go out the glass, it would work as part of the run with a hanging heat bulb though. I think the best bet is somthing wooden and well insulated such as a large dog type kennel, possibly placed in the gh if thats where you want it. That way you'd be heating a much smaller area and with some of that heavy strip plastic over the door/entrance you should be able to retain the heat in the kennel. My two Ibera have kennels with lift up roof's and a combined for the day and ceramic for nights, I'd say that they are warm enough for a sully but are well insulated both floor/walls and roof, they are labrador size and cost me about £30 of ebay, they have the opening in the front and a removable partition the same kennel is usually well over £100 in the shops. Hubby had to put an extra floor in as they weren't very draft proof, also build a ramp and make a closable door. Coz it depends on how big your sully is, you could start of small or go big from the start.

[judith ann]

Thanks .Fluff is 11ins now so would be better starting big !!Thats a good idea about a dog kennel but didnt know if it would be big enough for her to spend so long inthe winter.Had a look at some wendy houses on E Bay and that seems a possibility .Thanks for your help ! think its just a matter of picking everyones brains Judy

[Minty913]

You really need something big enough to have her walk about in on them winter months. I built mine 2.5 x 2.5 x 1.8 meters. I think the whole thing cost 350 or as far as Amanda knows 150 lol

They grow really fast so better planning for the long term rather than in a couple of years having to build a large one.

I would recommend building one because you can make sure its fully insulted and build it to fit your garden.

Sheds are good but u think the problem with them is you have a lot of over head space that will get heated trays why I never made it that tall. Plus I can send the kids in to clean her out as I'm to tall Haha

[Gem]

I would think the very least you would need is a 8ft by 8ft shed, as she has quite alot of growing still to do and that way it will last her a few years too, No point buying something small when it will be quickly outgrown.