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Lee
Yearling

United Kingdom
522 Posts

Posted - 15/09/2013 :  22:25:58  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Well I decided to make some small hides for my babies. I made some salt dough out of 1 cup plain flour, added 1/2 cup of salt (use volume not weight)and some water. Mix together until you have the dough thoroughly mixed like pastry.
I rolled out a small ball then draped it over an upturned small metal pie case, all uneven. I then used a piece of bog wood to imprint a texture on the hide. You can either bake in the oven or leave to air dry, I baked mine as I was impatient!
Result 3 new hides all different shapes and sizes for less than 30p! The snakes seem to like them, I'll see how they hold up in the vivs and if they get soiled it will be no big deal to throw away and make more.
I'll maybe make some larger 'multi room' hides or tunnels next!

1.2.4 Corn Snakes - Carolina, 2 x Bloodred het Lavender, Amel, Snow, Anery and Carolina.
0.0.1 Cali King - Ziggy - escaped!!
RIP Princess x

steve76
Snake Mite

United Kingdom
43 Posts

Posted - 16/09/2013 :  00:59:32  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
nice, i've always wondered about making my own but never felt confident enough. i might give it a go

1.0.0 red staffy(Marley)
empty fish tank
0.0.1 Amel Corn(Vasuki)
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herriotfan
Fully Grown Corn

United Kingdom
5853 Posts

Posted - 16/09/2013 :  09:02:43  Show Profile  Click to see herriotfan's MSN Messenger address  Reply with Quote
All mine have home-made salt dough hides.
Quick, easy and much cheaper than the 'proper' reptile ones!


Husband....Very Understanding!!! (Phil)
Son & Daughter (Kevin & Carol)
Granddaughter (Eva)
3.4.0 Cornsnakes Amel (Sidney) Caramel Stripe (Sultan) Amber (Cleo) Carolina (Phoebe) Anery Motley Stripe (Penny) Snow (Lily) Caramel (Holmes)
1.2.0 Royal Pythons(Peeps, Pandora & Pepsi)
1.0.0 Hognose (Hudson)
2.1.0 Dogs (Dillon, Alfie, Ellie)
0.1.0 Senegal Parrot (Peanut)
1.1.0 Bearded Dragons (Bonnie & Clyde)
1.0.0 Crested Geckos (Echo)
0.2.1 Hermanns Tortoises (Ebbie, Rosie & Twiglet)
0.1.0 Guinea Pig (Dolly-Pipsqueak)
0.1.9 Tarantulas (Poppy, Gypsy, Bumble, Insey Winsey, Sonic, Cookie, Raven, Fudge, Titch & Sox)
??? Foster animals
Location: Near Saffron Walden, Essex
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Lee
Yearling

United Kingdom
522 Posts

Posted - 16/09/2013 :  09:53:07  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
I was amazed how quick and cheap it was, almost disposable really and great to be able to change the shapes/styles whenever you want. I may get some 'safe' paint to make them more rock looking but they are great as they are.
Forgot to add I just put them in the oven at 200c for 10 mins, have heard you can microwave them for 30 secs or so too.

1.2.4 Corn Snakes - Carolina, 2 x Bloodred het Lavender, Amel, Snow, Anery and Carolina.
0.0.1 Cali King - Ziggy - escaped!!
RIP Princess x
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ScaryVonHayleystine
Sub Adult

United Kingdom
1773 Posts

Posted - 16/09/2013 :  10:19:26  Show Profile  Visit ScaryVonHayleystine's Homepage  Click to see ScaryVonHayleystine's MSN Messenger address  Reply with Quote
Intriguing :) May do this at some point myself

Albino Addiction ... <3
0.1.0 - Creamsicle Cornsnake (Mo)
1.0.0 - Bubblegum Snow Corn (Gabriel)
1.0.0 - Lavendar 100% Het Hypo Corn (Ezra)
1.0.0 - Bairds Rat Snake (Lazarus)
0.0.1 - Crested Gecko (Pan)
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Welshlamb
Yearling

United Kingdom
711 Posts

Posted - 16/09/2013 :  19:17:09  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
I've tried making hides but they went wrong, So I give up on the whole idea. May give it another go soon.
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herriotfan
Fully Grown Corn

United Kingdom
5853 Posts

Posted - 16/09/2013 :  20:02:04  Show Profile  Click to see herriotfan's MSN Messenger address  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Welshlamb

I've tried making hides but they went wrong, So I give up on the whole idea. May give it another go soon.



What went wrong? Could we help?


Husband....Very Understanding!!! (Phil)
Son & Daughter (Kevin & Carol)
Granddaughter (Eva)
3.4.0 Cornsnakes Amel (Sidney) Caramel Stripe (Sultan) Amber (Cleo) Carolina (Phoebe) Anery Motley Stripe (Penny) Snow (Lily) Caramel (Holmes)
1.2.0 Royal Pythons(Peeps, Pandora & Pepsi)
1.0.0 Hognose (Hudson)
2.1.0 Dogs (Dillon, Alfie, Ellie)
0.1.0 Senegal Parrot (Peanut)
1.1.0 Bearded Dragons (Bonnie & Clyde)
1.0.0 Crested Geckos (Echo)
0.2.1 Hermanns Tortoises (Ebbie, Rosie & Twiglet)
0.1.0 Guinea Pig (Dolly-Pipsqueak)
0.1.9 Tarantulas (Poppy, Gypsy, Bumble, Insey Winsey, Sonic, Cookie, Raven, Fudge, Titch & Sox)
??? Foster animals
Location: Near Saffron Walden, Essex
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smart bunny
Fully Grown Corn

United Kingdom
5091 Posts

Posted - 16/09/2013 :  22:17:12  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
ScottishBlueBird will tell you all about exactly how to make some really impressive salt dough accessories...


*runs, almost falling over as giggling so much*>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

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Welshlamb
Yearling

United Kingdom
711 Posts

Posted - 17/09/2013 :  09:22:15  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
They were just soggy and were falling apart, I put them in the oven and then they were burnt lol
In the end I bought some hides.

Whats the ratio for making large hides ?

Cheers
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Lee
Yearling

United Kingdom
522 Posts

Posted - 17/09/2013 :  09:30:05  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
The ratio is always 1 cup of flour to 1/2 cup of salt (volume not weight) then add water slowly until you get a dough like you would for a pie. So if you have 3 cups of flour you need 1 1/2 cups of salt. If it's too wet add a little more flour. I baked for only 10 mins and they were not even brown.

1.2.4 Corn Snakes - Carolina, 2 x Bloodred het Lavender, Amel, Snow, Anery and Carolina.
0.0.1 Cali King - Ziggy - escaped!!
RIP Princess x
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Lee
Yearling

United Kingdom
522 Posts

Posted - 17/09/2013 :  09:31:30  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Make it on top of an upturned ovenproof bowl or similar to stop it collapsing while its being baked.

1.2.4 Corn Snakes - Carolina, 2 x Bloodred het Lavender, Amel, Snow, Anery and Carolina.
0.0.1 Cali King - Ziggy - escaped!!
RIP Princess x
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Welshlamb
Yearling

United Kingdom
711 Posts

Posted - 17/09/2013 :  09:38:13  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Cheer's Lee.
Did you just guess with the water?
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Lee
Yearling

United Kingdom
522 Posts

Posted - 17/09/2013 :  10:55:39  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
yep just keep adding a little at a time until you get the dough right (so it doesn't stick to your hands) then take out the bowl and knead a little on a floured board.

1.2.4 Corn Snakes - Carolina, 2 x Bloodred het Lavender, Amel, Snow, Anery and Carolina.
0.0.1 Cali King - Ziggy - escaped!!
RIP Princess x
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mark143
Egg

United Kingdom
87 Posts

Posted - 17/09/2013 :  13:36:23  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Sounds interesting and will same some money.
Any photos?
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adrian.coles
Snake Mite

23 Posts

Posted - 03/10/2013 :  20:22:39  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Hi,

Great idea. I'd love to make Phoenix a few more hides so we can give him a bit of variety now and again.

One question though... Could you use food colouring to safely colour the dough?

1.0.0 Common corn - Phoenix (very long tail so believe he's a he)
1.0.0 Long haired cat - Villeneuve
0.1.0 Lutino budgie - Luna
0.1.0 Syrian hamster - Toffee
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Lee
Yearling

United Kingdom
522 Posts

Posted - 03/10/2013 :  20:27:25  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
I would say yes as it's edible but the snakes won't eat it anyway!

1.2.4 Corn Snakes - Carolina, 2 x Bloodred het Lavender, Amel, Snow, Anery and Carolina.
0.0.1 Cali King - Ziggy - escaped!!
RIP Princess x
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adrian.coles
Snake Mite

23 Posts

Posted - 03/10/2013 :  20:49:06  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
OK, just made some basic ones after reading this and getting inspiration.
Will be interesting to see how they turn out...

1.0.0 Common corn - Phoenix (very long tail so believe he's a he)
1.0.0 Long haired cat - Villeneuve
0.1.0 Lutino budgie - Luna
0.1.0 Syrian hamster - Toffee
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Lee
Yearling

United Kingdom
522 Posts

Posted - 04/10/2013 :  14:55:26  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
excellent, I keep meaning to post pics of mine but got no batteries in the camera!

1.2.4 Corn Snakes - Carolina, 2 x Bloodred het Lavender, Amel, Snow, Anery and Carolina.
0.0.1 Cali King - Ziggy - escaped!!
RIP Princess x
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adrian.coles
Snake Mite

23 Posts

Posted - 06/10/2013 :  20:29:48  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Mine turned out rubbish. Only because I made them way too thick. Tried to bake them for longer, but even so, they are still spongy. Leaving them to air dry... Might be able to still use them.

1.0.0 Common corn - Phoenix (very long tail so believe he's a he)
1.0.0 Long haired cat - Villeneuve
0.1.0 Lutino budgie - Luna
0.1.0 Syrian hamster - Toffee

Edited by - adrian.coles on 06/10/2013 20:55:38
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Lee
Yearling

United Kingdom
522 Posts

Posted - 06/10/2013 :  21:00:10  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
They don't have to be too thick, my first ones were spongy but I think I added too much water and not enough salt the first time. It has to be 1 cup of flour to 1/2 cup of salt NOT WEIGHT THOUGH, volume, tried it by weight and that doesn't work either.
After baking they are rock hard and so far holding out well.

1.2.4 Corn Snakes - Carolina, 2 x Bloodred het Lavender, Amel, Snow, Anery and Carolina.
0.0.1 Cali King - Ziggy - escaped!!
RIP Princess x
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mjpeters
Sub Adult

United Kingdom
1539 Posts

Posted - 06/10/2013 :  23:37:16  Show Profile  Click to see mjpeters's MSN Messenger address  Send mjpeters a Yahoo! Message  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Lee

I was amazed how quick and cheap it was, almost disposable really and great to be able to change the shapes/styles whenever you want. I may get some 'safe' paint to make them more rock looking but they are great as they are.
Forgot to add I just put them in the oven at 200c for 10 mins, have heard you can microwave them for 30 secs or so too.


Great post!
Acrylic paints are o.k. they are great because they are water based,easy to mix into any colour/shade,cheap to get in pretty much anywhere that sells artists stuff (even LIDL/ALDI get them from time to time)and they dry impervious to moisture and inert.
Having said that I wouldn't want to use any paint with scratchy/chewing type beasties
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