Two Dig-Proof Enclosures 24’ x 36’ x 8’

WildCare takes in a number of burrowing animals each year, including prairie dogs, skunks, armadillos and badgers. These animals need an enclosure that allows them to dig deep into the ground, yet prevents them from climbing the sides of the enclosure. When prairie dogs and armadillos try to climb the sides of an enclosure, they fall backwards, seriously injuring themselves. WildCare has designed and built one enclosure to meet the needs of these animals. It has held up well, but there is a great need for two more.

WildCare frequently has more than one species of diggers at the same time. This presents a problem, because these species cannot be housed together. For example, WildCare recently received several ex-pet prairie dogs. Many never had the opportunity to dig in the ground. Usually after a few months of digging and being together in a group, these animals can be released into a special prairie dog town. It does take some time to get a group to bond together so they will act as a team. In the months that this takes, there are skunks, badgers, and armadillos that are being housed in enclosures that don’t meet their need to dig.

The pens we need are built with horse panels trenched in the ground 4’ deep. An additional 1’ of the panel is above the ground to allow a breeze and for the animal to have visual stimulation. On top of that is one sheet of sheet metal, placed horizontally so that the animal cannot climb beyond the metal. The remainder of the sides and the top can be constructed of netting, since the animals cannot get to it and chew out. We are requesting two 24’ x 36’ x 8’ free-digging enclosures.

Budget for One 24’ x 36’ x 8’ Free-Digging Enclosure

$ 350   10-5’x12’ horse panels
$ 220   10-12’x3’ corrugated metal sheets
$ 120   20-2”x4”x12’ boards for the top and bottom of the metal
$ 220   12-12’ drilling rig pipe for posts @1.50/foot
$ 290   16-12’ drilling rig pipe for top supports @1.50/foot
$ 300   1 roll of 1” Toprite II bird netting (includes shipping)
$ 150   double door entry
$ 170   trencher rental
$1000 labor to build

Two Dig-Proof Enclosures 24’ x 36’ x 8’

Budget for One 24’ x 36’ x 8’ Free-Digging Enclosure

Total: $ 2,820 per enclosure