Reptile & Amphibian Forums

i am looking to build an outdoor bearded dragon cage that i can take my dragons out in to get some real uvb. i have quite a few questions but pics would be really helpful. i want to know if chicket wire would be a good bottom or should i go with something else. they will only be outside for anout 1-2 hours. so im not looking to spend an arm and a leg just something so they can get some fresh air.
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Jeff Kearney
Orlando, FL

2.7.0 Bearded Dragons (Too many to name)
1.0.0 Mali Uromastyx (Rex)
2.2.0 Ball Python (Ali, Gator, Para, Medic)
1.1.1 Leopard Gecko (Peanut, Almond, Iggy)
1.1.0 Fat-Tailed Gecko (Freddy, Brownie)
0.0.1 Corn Snake (Not sure yet)
0.0.2 Blue Phase Dumpys Tree Frog (Sticky, Squishy)

I wouldn't use chicken wire, I used hardware cloth instead. It is like screen that has 1/4" holes. All the home stores sell it and it's not expensive.

is it a metal materal or is it a plastic?
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Jeff Kearney
Orlando, FL

2.7.0 Bearded Dragons (Too many to name)
1.0.0 Mali Uromastyx (Rex)
2.2.0 Ball Python (Ali, Gator, Para, Medic)
1.1.1 Leopard Gecko (Peanut, Almond, Iggy)
1.1.0 Fat-Tailed Gecko (Freddy, Brownie)
0.0.1 Corn Snake (Not sure yet)
0.0.2 Blue Phase Dumpys Tree Frog (Sticky, Squishy)

It's metal.

whats the difference between that and chciken wire? hole size?
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Jeff Kearney
Orlando, FL

2.7.0 Bearded Dragons (Too many to name)
1.0.0 Mali Uromastyx (Rex)
2.2.0 Ball Python (Ali, Gator, Para, Medic)
1.1.1 Leopard Gecko (Peanut, Almond, Iggy)
1.1.0 Fat-Tailed Gecko (Freddy, Brownie)
0.0.1 Corn Snake (Not sure yet)
0.0.2 Blue Phase Dumpys Tree Frog (Sticky, Squishy)

yes the holes in chicken wire are bigger. Also chichen wire is much thinner wire. Go to a Home Depot or Lowes and compare them. Chicken wire has a lot of loose ends that I'd be afraid would cut a dragon.

ok im gonna head up in a few min. do i need to treat the wood in anyway. i am looking to buils the frame out of 2x4's and cover it with the wire.
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Jeff Kearney
Orlando, FL

2.7.0 Bearded Dragons (Too many to name)
1.0.0 Mali Uromastyx (Rex)
2.2.0 Ball Python (Ali, Gator, Para, Medic)
1.1.1 Leopard Gecko (Peanut, Almond, Iggy)
1.1.0 Fat-Tailed Gecko (Freddy, Brownie)
0.0.1 Corn Snake (Not sure yet)
0.0.2 Blue Phase Dumpys Tree Frog (Sticky, Squishy)

These are similar to my setups... I got the idea from Gus Rentfros page.

http://www.riobravoreptiles.com/howto_outdoor.htm

enjoy... building materail is roughly $250-$300

Mine is just regular lumber.

If you have space, what I would do is box in a small area of your yard and make a chicken wire top that can be removed. Make sure the pen is south facing for maximum sunlight. You can grow different kinds of greens in the pen, put rocks in there for basking, etc. Just make sure the beardeds always have shade. The sun is very intense and can kill beardeds very quickly if they can't get away from it. If the temps are 90 degrees and above, I would keep the dragons indoors. Sorry i'm not much of a writer. I'll be glad to answer any questions you have. Josh