How do you make your laying bins?

[Mr Wilson]

We would love to give Layla a laying bin (she's 7-8 months right now) but are not 100% sure on how to go about doing it. I read Jannb's blog about her bins, we bought a deep container along with fresh play sand so we have the supplies needed. Then again, we've read that people use various materials, not just play sand, in their laying bins. But jannb, you seem to produce very successful chameleon babes, so I'm following you with that one! haha

I guess what we are really wondering is how to go about really setting it up. I know she will need a lot of privacy when she begins digging and that the sand needs to be moist. I think that is where my biggest concern is. Exactly how moist does the sand need to be? I know it needs to be wet enough so that it does not collapse while she is digging, but how wet is TOO wet?

Pictures, how-to's, comments are always welcome. Anything we're missing?

 

[ghettomike]

I use a plastic garbage bin that is about 12x8x14inches deep filled with a 50/50 mixture of play sand and black earth kept just damp enough that I can dig down without it collapsing or being too soggy. I found that the water from misting/driper would go in the bin and it would become too saturated so I made a cover (out of tinted grinding facesheilds from work) that sits about 5 inches above the bin that diverts the water away and also provides privacy. I have some pics of it in a post I started (called 'carmies enclosure'? or something like that) but I'm on my phone at work right now and cannot post links, ill try to remember tonight.

 

[jannb]

I wet the sand allot and then I take a big spoon and dig a deep hole all the way to the bottom and make sure it will hold the tunnel without problems. Camille has even used my hole before and it saved her allot of work. If the sand it too dry they will not use it.

 

[Mr Wilson]

We can't use a bit garbage bin, when what we did find was a small one, like one you put next to your desk or in the bathroom. It's about 12 inches deep, I'd say the perimeter is maybe 6 x 3 inches? She's not very big, sort of a runt so this should be more than enough room, plus we wanted it to fit right into her cage. I'm planning on putting it more towards the back corner, behind her plant, so that she does have privacy.

I'll check out your album, ghettomike, to see the pictures of yours!

 

[Mr Wilson]

ghettomike, I looked through the one album in your profile but didnt see a picture of the laying bin. However, the hanging plant that is red on the bottom, what is that?!?! It is AWESOME!

EDIT: Found the post! Here is another question for you guys, how do you actually go about wetting the sand? Do you pour a little in then wet it, then pour some more and wet that, or do you pour all of the sand in and soak it? I know it's a lot of questions and you're probably like "this is just common sense" but the last thing I want to do is make this bin incorrectly!

 

[jannb]

ghettomike, I looked through the one album in your profile but didnt see a picture of the laying bin. However, the hanging plant that is red on the bottom, what is that?!?! It is AWESOME!

EDIT: Found the post! Here is another question for you guys, how do you actually go about wetting the sand? Do you pour a little in then wet it, then pour some more and wet that, or do you pour all of the sand in and soak it? I know it's a lot of questions and you're probably like "this is just common sense" but the last thing I want to do is make this bin incorrectly!

I pour allot of water in mine about 10 cups but I use a trash can bin. I stir it up really well and then pack it down and dig my test hole.

 

[Mr Wilson]

Alrighty, I'm about to give this a shot!!! I think she'll be really happy once she has this bin in her cage. Wish me luck!

 

[Texas Panther Man]

I was lucky the last time I bought my sand it had just rained. So all the bags were already wet. Just took the sand right out of the bag and it was moist enuff to hold a tunnel. Misting the cage has kept it moist enuff for her since.

 

[Mr Wilson]

I just put the most sand into the container, dug a little test hole and it holds beautifully!

I took some fake vines I had purchased a while ago from Michael's Craft Store that was originally 6 feet long and in my males cage, cut a nice piece off, and hung it up in front of the bin to cover it up and hide it a little bit. I plan on buying more so I can maybe string one vine across the top to help hide it a little more and offer more protection from the mister that is set up in her cage. I took her out and put her onto the sand and she climbed right off, so she is showing no interest in it what so ever, yet. I didn't expect her to show interest right away though.

Here are a couple of pictures for you guys to check out. Let me know if it's decent enough for right now, until I can get out to buy more vines, or if I need to change anything. Thanks!

 

[VeiledOwner87]

i did have a 5g painters bucket filled half way with play sand, but that started to flood with the mister. i now just have a 3g in the same diameter as the 5g filled to the top with playsand, in the back of her cage hidden from all sides by plants for privacy

 

[ghettomike]

ghettomike, I looked through the one album in your profile but didnt see a picture of the laying bin. However, the hanging plant that is red on the bottom, what is that?!?! It is AWESOME!

lol It is actually just a fake plant that I found and the red is from a red bulb that I used to use occasionally but do not any more. Your laying bin looks like it should do the trick.

 

[Bokaru]

I have a question about this. If you are wetting the sand for your chameleon to lay eggs in wouldnt that make the sand cold? I thought while incubating it needed to be fairly warm. If it is cool will the chameleon still lay eggs? I'm trying to sex my Senegal and eggs would definatley confirm a female, but if she isnt going to lay in cold sand, how should I go about fixing the situation?

Also would you say that a smaller container would be alright for a senegal since they are fairly small? I have a 5"x5"x2" container with wet sand.

 

[facelesdoll]

i suggest not making the egg depository to large, mind you this females nutrients have been supplied for assuming anywhere from 20-60 eggs. chameleons are spent before they lay. i suggest using a shallow say 6 inch deep bin about 2-2.5 gallons.

 

[jannb]

i suggest not making the egg depository to large, mind you this females nutrients have been supplied for assuming anywhere from 20-60 eggs. chameleons are spent before they lay. i suggest using a shallow say 6 inch deep bin about 2-2.5 gallons.

She will need at least 10 inches. I recommend 12 but no more than 12 because she will dig to the bottom and it's too much work for her to dig deeper than 12 inches.

 

[Texas Panther Man]

I have found that the plastic buckets my plants come in from the nursery are the perfect size for a laying bin and they are opaque so she has some privacy. Just fill them about 3/4 full and they have holes in the bottom already so if the soil/sand gets too much water from misting it can have an oppurtunity too drain out. My gal has laid twice now in these buckets and they are free. Next time you buy s new plant just save the bucket. Easy and free is always the way to go.