My DIY Outdoor Enclosure (Progress Photos)

heyshelbyrae

New Member
Hey guys! So I decided I wanted to build my own outdoor set up for my chams, and here's what I've got so far.



And it's really B I G! So this is what I've done:

The black structure that I used for the base might not seem familiar to you, but I assure you, if you've been to any regular grocery store, you've seen one before. You know how in the produce area they have slanted stands that hold the box trays of apples and tomatoes and etc? That stand is what I used for a base.

If you're wondering how I acquired such a thing, well... My mom is a vendor for Mission, and twice a week I help her bring in product to a few different grocery stores. It's a whole nother world out in the back stock area and behind the building in general. Whenever the store is getting new displays and such, they basically put the old ones outside for the taking. I had seen the stand for about a month and finally asked my mom what they were going to do with it, she said it would eventually get thrown away if no one wanted it. HA! Perfect, and so I loaded it in the trailer and thus it has become the berfect base. PLUS- it has wheels so it's very very very easy to move around.

After picking up the stand, I went to Home Depot and bought the rest of the supplies I needed. I got 8 pipes of 3/4 size pvc, 8 tri piece corner connectors and the 8 male adapter pieces to make sure each insertion hole was the proper 3/4 size to fit my pvc, 4 regular 90 degree angle corner connectors, a simple rotating pipe cutter, water resistant pvc glue, 1 tube of water resistant caulking, 2 cans of black matt spray paint, a sheet of foam board insulation(the kind that is used between the exterior house wall and the fluffy foam insulation), a 25 ft long by 4 ft tall roll of squared poultry wire, 11 inch long black cable ties, and.... a baby gate lock! The grand total spent on these items was just over at bill and a half at $154. Not bad at all considering the size of enclosure I'm making.

To get a better idea of how big it is, look at the pictures below and notice that is right against my garage door, which we all know, garage doors are huge!

These photos are from before I spray painted the pvc structure black, and now I'm just waiting on it to dry before the next step. I hope yall enjoy these until I upload pictures of the next steps!


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Does the base have the drainage hole already? That would be convenient! Looks massive! Cool concept. Now I want to make fajitas for dinner:D!
 
Does the base have the drainage hole already? That would be convenient! Looks massive! Cool concept. Now I want to make fajitas for dinner:D!

Fajitas sound good... lol Anyways, the base is actually going to made out of the insulation board. Although, the stand's top itself is completely open except for the bars that go across it for support.
 
How will you have access to the interior? Is that a door I see? If so, Will it open to the top, side or bottom? Also, I was just reading another post about cham's feet getting injured with non coated wire. Wouldn't want that to happen! You might want to look at it.;)
 
is the wire coated or just the metal chicken wire?. If so, you are maybe gonna wanna take that back. It is very rough and if your chameleon likes to climb the sides...well I learned the hard way and my guy cut his foot which turned into a sore and it took months and months to heal. I am still dealing with it actually cause it is in a very precarious place seeing they grab branches and stuff. The coated is gonna cost you way more, but in the long run it may save you on vet bills which could end up costing more than the wire!
 
is the wire coated or just the metal chicken wire?. If so, you are maybe gonna wanna take that back. It is very rough and if your chameleon likes to climb the sides...well I learned the hard way and my guy cut his foot which turned into a sore and it took months and months to heal. I am still dealing with it actually cause it is in a very precarious place seeing they grab branches and stuff. The coated is gonna cost you way more, but in the long run it may save you on vet bills which could end up costing more than the wire!

Thanks for responding! I was trying to find the thread that you mentioned this in. I just read it and couldn't find it! Its been a long day:eek:!
 
I had a feeling you were talking about me. But I have talked with other people who had issues with the feet and were suspecting the chicken wire caused the problem also.
 
Wally world has some plastic garden fence in the garden area on clearance when I was there 3 days ago 3 feet tall and 50 feet of it for around 11 bucks. Might want to check there for siding for your cage
 
No need to worry, the fencing is a plastic and here's a new picture to show the painted frame work.

Next I will be adding the base and fencing edge! :)



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Updated! :) The cage is pretty much complete now, I'm just slowly adding vines and branches and such.


Also, I might add astroturf to the bottom.. Any thoughts or experience with that anyone?


Enjoy the pictures! :)



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heck yeah! you've lost your mind over these chams huh!?!?! Did you just zip tie the door to the top of the frame? looks pretty sweet, they'll never want to get out of it lol!:D

picked up this craigslist gem for $30 for just an outside cage:)

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oh yeah that cage was a steal for sure. guy wanted 75 for it and I just shot him an offer out of the blue thinking I would ever hear back.. Guess I'm just lucky :D
 
Very :cool:! Love the whole thing! I was wondering how you were going to make the door... are you doing live plants in there, too?
 
Dude.. People aren't even going to realize humans live in your house.. They'll think it's a just a home for chams!

And dedancin and beboson, thanks so much you two! :) I am most likely not going to put any real plants in that outdoor enclosure, but it will be filled with tons of branches and vines, and they will enjoy it just the same!
 
Dude.. People aren't even going to realize humans live in your house.. They'll think it's a just a home for chams!

And dedancin and beboson, thanks so much you two! :) I am most likely not going to put any real plants in that outdoor enclosure, but it will be filled with tons of branches and vines, and they will enjoy it just the same!

Good choice!:cool: less upkeep = more laziness for my ass..

I know, my daughter is so in love with them it's hilarious! She likes the dubia better though, kinda weird! Can't wait to finish school and start teaching full time and have more expendable income hehe:D
 
Oh, sure, blame your daughter! :p (apple not falling too far?) And what's "expendable income"???

With that kinda set up, you could just hose down the whole thing! Very smart:cool:!
 
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