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#2110115
Dazza12345789
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Bird Box? 
Hey,
I know some people on here use bird boxes as a retreat for there monitors so i just have a few questions before i go out and buy one tomorrow.
What sort of size would you aim for?
Sounds strange but, i know some come with the small hole in the front for entering, so would you just leave or make it bigger etc?
And what would you use for substrate?
Thanks for your time
Cheers
-Daryl
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01/02/10 04:39pm
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#2110193
Krusty
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Message To: Dazza12345789 In reference to Message Id: 2110115
Bird Box?
I think you have a yearling Melinus? I would make a 4" hole or so for now and have the box be about the size of the lizard (?12-18"). It won’t be an actual birdhouse though. Those things are usually tiny. You’ll just need a plastic or wooden box and make a hole in it. Fill it with cocohusk bricks and leaves all mixed up. Leaves will make it less heavy.
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01/02/10 07:31pm
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#2110325
Dazza12345789
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Message To: Krusty In reference to Message Id: 2110193
Bird Box?
Thank you and yes, he is probably just 2ft so ill see if i can get one/build one that size.
How deep would you make the substrate?
Thanks again
-Daryl
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01/03/10 11:38am
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#2110326
Sulfurboy1o3
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Message To: Dazza12345789 In reference to Message Id: 2110325
Bird Box?
Fill up the box mostly. We have a arts and craft store here called Michael’s, where they have a ton of wooden boxes, birdhouses, and jewelery boxes that you can paint and decorate. I purchased a 15x15" box and cut out an oval hole about 4" in diameter.
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01/03/10 11:43am
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#2110330
Dazza12345789
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Message To: Sulfurboy1o3 In reference to Message Id: 2110326
Bird Box?
Thanks for the advice! Your Melinus is around the same size as mine so does one that size seem adequate?
Oh, and does he use it that much?
Cheers
-Daryl
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01/03/10 11:49am
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#2110335
Sulfurboy1o3
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Message To: Dazza12345789 In reference to Message Id: 2110330
Bird Box?
For a 2ft lizard yes, but when our beasts become 4ft and have more girth, no. It’s also just a burrow/hideout where it should be snug. I wouldn’t put a 4ft box in there though, that to me seems like overkill. The biggest I’ll go would be something 24x24"x 15"(lxwxh).
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01/03/10 11:56am
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#2110338
Dazza12345789
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Message To: Sulfurboy1o3 In reference to Message Id: 2110335
Bird Box?
Ok then, i agree with the size thing... you want the to feel safe and secure.
Does your use it much or does it prefer previous, self made hides?
Thanks again
-Daryl
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01/03/10 12:00pm
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#2110349
Sulfurboy1o3
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Message To: Dazza12345789 In reference to Message Id: 2110338
Bird Box?
I haven’t put him in that larger cage yet, it’s just not finished yet. I have a platform where there are basking lights that are underneath it to warm up the cage bottom. On top of the ledge is a spacer to hold/hide wires and also to flush out some of the heat that the bulbs will be making. I did this so that the birdhouse’s soil temp inside will be in the lower to mid 80’s. That’s the temp he likes his burrows because thats the temps where he sleeps. Anything higher then 88 and he will not sleep there.
He uses both ground burrows and cork hollows to sleep, all areas are about 84 degrees when i put my probe there.
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01/03/10 12:18pm
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#2110351
Dazza12345789
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Message To: Sulfurboy1o3 In reference to Message Id: 2110349
Bird Box?
Ok then, thanks for the tips though!
How big did you make his cage in the end? And any pics? I would love to see what you have done with it!
Cheers
-Daryl
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01/03/10 12:41pm
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#2110359
Sulfurboy1o3
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Message To: Dazza12345789 In reference to Message Id: 2110351
Bird Box?
The cage is 4’x3’x6’(lxwxh). I’ve added some thin branches, doubled up lattice in the back walls, and extendable black tubing that drapes from the top of the cage, down to the bottom. I’ve made a fixture for uvb purpose and a basking platform. I needto buy new drill bits.
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01/03/10 01:15pm
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#2110360
Sulfurboy1o3
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Message To: Sulfurboy1o3 In reference to Message Id: 2110359
Bird Box?
I dont think this cage will suite him forever or until the end. I have a feeling i’ll be building another cage or adding to this one to make it deeper and longer once he hits the 4 ft mark.
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01/03/10 01:19pm
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#2110366
Dazza12345789
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Message To: Sulfurboy1o3 In reference to Message Id: 2110360
Bird Box?
Looks great, Khai! Im sure he will love it in there! When do you plan on making the move?
Cheers
-Daryl
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01/03/10 01:46pm
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#2110367
Sulfurboy1o3
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Message To: Dazza12345789 In reference to Message Id: 2110366
Bird Box?
When I’m done, and when I can read him better. I tihnk i might make the move when he hits the 3ft to 3.5 ft mark. So that’ll be in a few months maybe hahaha. Damn these things grow fast. ...I really dont know how he is this big, he eats very little and not so often.
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01/03/10 01:50pm
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#2110368
Sulfurboy1o3
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Message To: Sulfurboy1o3 In reference to Message Id: 2110367
Bird Box?
So are you now thinking of where to put your birdhouse, where it will get some heat, but not too hot that he wont use it?
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01/03/10 01:53pm
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#2110371
Dazza12345789
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Message To: Sulfurboy1o3 In reference to Message Id: 2110367
Bird Box?
Ha ha, tell me about it! I waste so much food by just putting it in the cage and a few days down the line its not eaten and i have to chuck it out... But he is still growing rapidly! He must be munching on some crickets that escaped and bred a while back!!
I remember you saying that yours loves to dig, how deep is your substrate in the new cage? i might add some dirt to my leaves soon as i recall a lot of people saying the love a good dig!
Cheers
-Daryl
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01/03/10 01:58pm
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#2110376
Sulfurboy1o3
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Message To: Dazza12345789 In reference to Message Id: 2110371
Bird Box?
I plan on using just leaves, about 1/2 to 1ft deep. What my plans are is to have a tub that has really really saugy/wet leaves in it near the heat lamps(to raise humidity). Since I’ve recently learned that he will toss around moist sand rather then dirt, a tub of sandy soil will be in place too. I’m thinking of making a pvc frame with 2 to 3 slots to fit in some mortar tubs. Then he would have a rack with the choice to be in moist soil, moist leaves, or wet sand(at the bottom of course). Once things are in play and water is added to soil and leaves, I’m not exactly sure if the pvc frame will be strong enough to hold 100+ lbs. Making a wooden frame will just rott in time.
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01/03/10 02:10pm
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#2110386
Dazza12345789
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Message To: Sulfurboy1o3 In reference to Message Id: 2110376
Bird Box?
I see what your doing, allowing him to choose a favourite - great idea!
As i have around 2ft of leaves in there with a couple of burrows (where the leaves have turned to a mushy thing) but im thinking of adding around an extra 1ft of dirt on top of that so the substrate level is the same level as the window and hopefully we can interact a tad more. Im still debating whether or not to leave the pond full of water or just add dirt to it?
Im also concerned that if he is in a burrow or between the rocks and i add 2ft of dirt over the top them then he will be able to find his way out... what do you reckon?
Cheers
-Daryl
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01/03/10 02:31pm
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#2110389
Sulfurboy1o3
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Message To: Dazza12345789 In reference to Message Id: 2110386
Bird Box?
Keep in mind that once you add the soil, expect him to use it and be burried even more. I currently only use about 6 or 7 inches with a couple cork tubes burried. It’s really up to you on what you want to do. I allow just enough soil and leaves to where he can use it,it holds burrows, moisture and temps.
In his future cage, I don’t plan on using over 1 ft of soil, and i were to, i’d designate a box thats filled up to the top with soil but allow shallow bedding for the rest of the cage bottom. Do you kind of get what im saying?
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01/03/10 02:43pm
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#2110411
Dazza12345789
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Message To: Sulfurboy1o3 In reference to Message Id: 2110389
Bird Box?
I do understand entirely what you mean, only allow him to dig where you want him to... its a great idea, its a shame that they made the window too high up so ive got to have a lot of substrate to make it reach!!!!
Thanks again for the tips!
-Daryl
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01/03/10 03:49pm
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#2110419
Sulfurboy1o3
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Message To: Dazza12345789 In reference to Message Id: 2110411
Bird Box?
Yea, doing that while still providing him the necessities. This is why i want to add the three tubs of different things he likes. That way I dont have to load a ton of soil, nor do i take away from space where he can be crawling and climbing other stuff. If my humidity is right, i will only use about 1ft of leaves(and keep dry/lighty moist)through the cage floor, because a heat bulb will be facing a tub that has saugy wet leaves in it. I wouldnt have to worry about any of the cage warping because the damp bedding will be in plastic tubs.
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01/03/10 04:07pm
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