i am currently in the process of constructing a new persian jird enclosure, i am making the main box out of MDF and then building up the inside using a "fake rock" style enclosure alot of the herptile keepers use. The actual enclosure is just under 3ft high and then 2ftx2ft ... although the internal measurements will be about 2 inches smaller once finished.

Here is as far as i got tonight.

Hiya Alex,

that looks like it is going to be great It looks really interesting - what is the material you are using to creat the rocks and platforms? It looks like polystyrene - is it? If it is, then what will you be covering / painting it with?

Tammy x

It is indeed polystyrene ....
1) make the shapes out of polystyrene
2) coat in a runny layer of tile grout
3) coat in a thicker layer of tiel grout repeat thsi process till the grout is about 2cm thick
4) paint
5) cover in a few layers of a diluted pva sealant
6) sprinkle sand on before sealant dries
7) paint on finer details

thinks thats everything

Wow, that sounds great - and sounds and looks like a really simple way to make a great setup just the way you want it! may be wrong though, some things look easier to do than they actually are, lol - are you finding it hard?

Tammy x

Yeah its really easy, had a mini go before hand and it works welll ... pretty much concrete in a better layour once you've finished lol

I can't wait till we move into the new house and i get the animal room... will have so much more usable space, and can give some species really large enclosures, im hoping to exapnd the current AGD enclosure to be twice as high so 4ftx4ftx2ft which will be a really nice size for them.

I really like the MDF enclosures as you can make them to fit the space and they look good if finished well, always a good idea to coat the base and up the sides with a sealant such as dilute PVA to prevent urine soaking into the wood though.

Tonights finished look ... unfortunately its taken a little longer to get to this stage as i've been feeling rough as hell last 2 days with some sort of virus thingy ... not been feeling to jolly today but not as bad as yesterday so got some work done!


I have put on all the grout, sand and sealant today... still some touches to do and to thicken the grout in some places but its starting to take shape i have missed a few spots but i have decided to do them tommorow as it was getting too dark outside lol... im also thinking of thickening the grout in places as its only 3/4mm thick in some places ... its solid stuff but just in case.

Unfortunately you can't see all the details as the sand is covering everything up currently, i will brush it off tommorow, i will be using sand as substrate anyway and then hay in the nesting area. there will be others furnishing in there ... i just need to build the door and lid... which will take an hour or so tommorow.

It looks brilliant Alex!!

Hope you feel better soon, keep us posted how you get on

Tammy x

Right Jirds have moved in after i did the finishng touches today, im not expecting to last forever with the jirds in there LOL ... but hopefulyl they can stay in there until we move house and then im thinking about putting the mouse-like hamsters in there.

it looks really great alex! you should make these and sell them maybe

how much did it cost to make? and do you have mesh or glass on the front?

Thanks ... too much effort and no its perspex :p