Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi guys, I just ordered one of these outdoor dog kennels to use to put mostly Pete outside in. It comes with 8 3x4 panels for the sides and door so it will be 6x6x4. It is the largest I could afford. It comes with panels for the top as well. I am wondering what to do about a floor. It is made to just sit there for dogs. I want to make it more secure so he cant get out and so no one can get in either. Any ideas for a floor? I could order more panels for the floor but I think it would be a pain to have grass and whatnot growing up between the bars.

Thanks for any advice. There is a link to the site where I am getting the panels. Please be kind as I already ordered it and have no intention of trying to build one myself for cheaper! In hindsight I should have shown it to you guys before placing the order but alas, that ship has sailed...

Thanks,
Carole
Options Plus Kennels

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www.reptilecare.com

The things you will need to address are top and bottom security. I am pretty sure you got the one with the top, so lets discuss the kennel bottom. First off your cyclura WILL dig out if it is not secure. An inexpensive way to deal with this is to purchase some 1x1 galvanized hardware cloth and secure it to the bottom. First build kennel, then flip upside down for easier bottom installation. If you have to use two pieces to cover the bottom make sure it is sewn/connected at the middle with heavy duty twist wire. Since you were concerned about grass growing through, cover the 1x1 with weed cloth. Then flip back over to the location you want the cage. Level the cage. Attach redwood 1x12 arounf the outside perimeter making sure not to obstruct the door. Then fill the bottom with decomposed granite. Decmposed granite gives you a fairly hard pack, but drains well. It also makes cleaning the crap easier than sand, gravel, or dirt. There may be a few weeds growing through, but the iguanas should take care of that. The alternate way and one of the ways I also use is to pour a concrete slab and set kennel on that.

I'm glad I asked. I was pretty sure there would be some digging as he digs on stuff in here.

How deep should the granite be? I assume I can get this at home depot here in CT. Why redwood? Strength? Also not sure if that is a wood readily availabe here in CT.

What do you attach the hardware cloth with? Twist wire?

I dont want to do concrete as we have already tailored this house entirely too much to our reptilian and dog needs. The less I do that is permanent the better!

Thanks!
Carole
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www.reptilecare.com

Use either twist tie wire or drill tip pan head screws and screw into the tubing at the bottom, but it looks like the tubing may be too thin to do this. Redwood is very available on the westcoast and holds up great in the wet winter. 12 inches is plenty high around the enclosure. An alternative is pressure treated 2x12 or cut 12" strips of 3/4 pressure treated plywood. This also wont rot after years in damp weather. If your worried about the iguanas touching the chemicles in the pressure treated wood, seal it with a primer on the inside edge. Sand is a poor substrate. It is too loose and soft, and the silica will keep bacteria trapped. It gets easily kicked into thier food, water, mouth, and eyes. I would rather see you use dirt than sand. A concrete slab is very permanent but the ease of maintanence is great.

i too am about to buid a outside cage and looked into these. fist are your iguanas full grown adults? i think they would have to be to make sure they cant get threw holes in fencing... if they can get a head threw a body can follow. if that appers safe go for it if not u may want to consider pvc coated hardware cloth for sides as well also i dont trust that top i may think about putting hardware cloth on that as well if my rhinos were staying in that pen overnight id cloth the whole thing with mayby even 2 layers u want it to be escape proff as well as keeping rats raccons and possums out. a locking door my also be a consideration.the rock idea substrate sounds good i like sand because it drains very well and to clean it i just use a lage tropical fish net and shift threw it twice a week picks out all old food droppings and poop in about 5 mins.also u may think about puttig a layer of wood around the bottom about 2 ft high to keep iguans from running into wire and smashing nose bloddy, if your lizards are not used to being out in sun for a long time they flip out a little bit for a while every time u go near cage. im not trying to insult your idea i too looked into this but decided to build it semmed like in the long run it would cost more money and be less secure. im going to start my new outside cage in about a week or so ill post pics and updates on how much i spend looks like right now for a 8ft x 10ft x 6ft cage will cost me about $200 to 250. and that includes a 2ft x 3ft heated house. im nerby in nj so materils would be the same. thanks... see if u could retun it before u open it???

Hi, yes it is a big cyclura, I measured his head and its 3" wide. He is 15 lbs. I am fairly certain that his head cant fit out 2x4" holes but am planning on holding one up to him before we start the construction. Why do you say the top doesnt look secure? Are you looking at the right one? I am not getting the mesh one. I am getting side panels for the top as well. He wont be staying out at night and yes I am going to lock it.

Thanks,
Carole
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www.reptilecare.com

if hes not out there at night u should be fine only thing that looks like it might be a problem is the space in the wire but other than that and the bottom. put up some pics when u get him in it im interested to see how it works out. mayby it is better than building???? watch the nose rubbing i the begining...

I should be getting it the end of this week or beginning of next. Hope to get going on it this weekend. I will let you all know how it goes. I am fairly certain he cant get out those holes. I am going to put the 2x12s around the bottom (outside not inside?) and use the decomposed granite, assuming I can find it around here somewhere.

I know its not cheaper than building my own. When I get done with the bottom it will definitely be in the $400 range. My husband tends to cut corners and "mickey mouse" stuff tho so I would be very afraid anything we build would not be escape proof! LOL!

Thanks for all the help guys! I will be sure to take pics during and after construction so you can see what I go thru.

Carole
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www.reptilecare.com

OK so decomposed granite doesnt seem to exist here. What would a second choice be. I am thinking now about putting the 1 inch hardware cloth and weed cloth on the bottom securely. Then what about patio blocks that are 12x12x2 or so just laying down in there on top of the hardware and weed cloth?

Thanks!
Carole

PS the kit arrived today!
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www.reptilecare.com