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Old 16-09-2012, 07:07 PM   #1
deepbluesea
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Default Horsefield Newbie looking for help & advice!!!

Hi guys, i apologise if this is long winded but i could do with some help please!! I've inherited a 3 year old female horsefield (long story) i've had her for about a month now, i have both an indoor and outdoor enclosure but I'm now concerned about the chilly nights that are starting to creep in!! I've spent hours looking through the internet but its very contradictory and wondered if you guys can help? I have a 5ft by 4ft outside run with a rabbits hutch as a retreat attached to it, inside i have a basking lamp so she can warm up and stay warm then she ventures out and does her thing. The evenings now are dropping below 12c so do i bring her in each evening or leave her out? I've read tortoises don't like to be moved about constantly and I've read sketchy opinions about using infra red heat bulbs for nigh time heating! The days here have been quite pleasant its just the drop in temp that worries me, what is the general rule of thumb about how long you can keep horsefields outside before finally bringing them in until spring??
Thanks for any replies
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Old 16-09-2012, 07:22 PM   #2
TillyTortoise
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You could use either a tubular heater or a ceramic heat emitter in the hutch, these can be controlled by a thermostat.
Its not going to be long though until she will have to come in full time if you are not hibernating.
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Old 16-09-2012, 07:40 PM   #3
Catwoman63
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I bring my little ones in now, the adults will stay in their shed until hibernation, I wouldn't personally leave her out now overnight unless the rabbit hutch is insulated to keep the heat in xxx
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Old 16-09-2012, 08:49 PM   #4
deepbluesea
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Hi guys thanks for replying, the hutch isn't insulated and whilst during the day it stays warm and dry i'm afraid the temps inside are pretty much what they are outside of a night time. What are your thoughts on letting her roam outside during the day where she gets real uv and exercise and bringing her in late afternoon before she settles down for the night. Would she benefit from this or would more harm than good be caused? Am i right in thinking torts in general are starting to be hibernating about now?
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