Do you just stick a post in the ground and nail wood to it? Or is it something else?
I would be grateful if people could post pictures of theirs
I would be grateful if people could post pictures of theirs
How are outdoor pens made?
- Thread starter TechnoCheese
- Start date
A Sulcata sized enclosure, that is.
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- Jul 16, 2014
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- Location (City and/or State)
- South Eastern Florida (U.S.A.)/Rock Hill S.C.
Being a Sulcata enclosure DOES MATTER. Or at least it will.
Those animals can plow right through walls the would keep in most others. Even smaller Sulcatas can push over concrete blocks and snap small trees and bushes in half.
So any enclosure I've ever built or know about would not be adequate. Or of much help to you.
Those animals can plow right through walls the would keep in most others. Even smaller Sulcatas can push over concrete blocks and snap small trees and bushes in half.
So any enclosure I've ever built or know about would not be adequate. Or of much help to you.
Yeah, I thought so lol. I figure not letting them ever see past the fence with be helpful?
I am a used lumber hoarder, so naturally, when it came to building tortoise enclosures, I used used lumber. I had a whole bunch of corral boards (1x6x16) and I built my tortoise fences out of that. I sunk 4x4s into the ground and nailed the boards to them. I thought I needed to make Dudley's fence 4 boards high, but all the rest of the species are 3 boards high. But Dudley has never offered to climb a fence, even when he senses another sulcata on the property. He rams it and pushes it, but never digs under or climbs over. But if there are no other sulcatas within whiffing distance, he's perfectly happy to leave the fence alone.
These fences are all over 25 years old, so the posts are rotting and the fences leaning, but for used lumber, it's holding up remarkably well.
These fences are all over 25 years old, so the posts are rotting and the fences leaning, but for used lumber, it's holding up remarkably well.
I started with cinder blocks for the outside perimeter wall but I'm hoping to replace that next year with a sturdy wooden fence. The cinder blocks are just too abrasive and cause unnecessary scrapes and wear on his shell from walking around the perimeter.
Glad you brought that up. I am conteplating using cinder block backers with wood surrounding them on the inside of the pen to alleviate shell damage. Thats gonna be my Spring project once the weather warms up here.
Yeah, if there were wood between the tortoise and the block I think it'd be okay. I didn't mortar any of the block together so I'm going to just take it down and put in wooden fencing with 4x4 posts like Yvonne mentioned.
Here's a shot showing part of the yard from over the summer:
Other than being heavy, it was just like building a lego wall since there was no mortar When I started expanding it last spring he was only 15 lbs, so I was able to try out blocks without mortar without too much fear of him knocking them over.
Other than being heavy, it was just like building a lego wall since there was no mortar
When I started expanding it last spring he was only 15 lbs, so I was able to try out blocks without mortar without too much fear of him knocking them over.
Here's a shot showing part of the yard from over the summer:
View attachment 258651
Other than being heavy, it was just like building a lego wall since there was no mortar
I was about to ask when you got another tortoise [emoji23]
Here is how I do mine. If they grow up inside of the blocks, they usually don't challenge them as adults, even though they can push through if they wanted to. They don't know they can, and they don't have any desire to push through. https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/enclosure-expansion.38788/
Using the wood with posts in the ground is definitely a more secure and less abrasive way to do it.
Using the wood with posts in the ground is definitely a more secure and less abrasive way to do it.
LOL. Sometimes Vlad likes to hang out and imitate the statue
I forgot to mention also - at 15 lbs Vlad was able to knock over a 28 lb block which I had left standing vertically. These guys are powerful
Which one is the statue? lolLOL. Sometimes Vlad likes to hang out and imitate the statue
View attachment 258653
I forgot to mention also - at 15 lbs Vlad was able to knock over a 28 lb block which I had left standing vertically. These guys are powerful
Yup, I have cinder block walls too, but it’s like Tom said, my girls grew up with the cinder blocks and for the most part don’t mess with them. Of course when I move to a bigger property I will be upgrading to a wooden fence
I built a block wall with rebar and cells filled with concrete, but this part is also holding water for the pond, and some of the other side is a retaining wall. I also added a stack stone looking smooth tile to the inside of the wall to reduce abrasion. Nothing is getting through this wall. ... But I was also very interested in appearance as this is my main living area where we spend a good deal of our time
I absolutely love when you post pics of your work! My fiancé on the other hand... he’s probably not a fan since I always show them to him and insist we must build this. Lol!
That is beautiful. I love the pond too!
Heckhaven
Member
You need to dig a trench about 2 foot deep, around the enclosure and put in (bury) fencing wire with openings smaller than your smallest tort. Depending on size of Tort - they dig holes and are smarter than many people think. They can move bricks, rocks, any thing, blocking their way. No matter the size of the enclosure they will try to dig under and out.Do you just stick a post in the ground and nail wood to it? Or is it something else?
I would be grateful if people could post pictures of theirs
- Joined
- Jun 1, 2017
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- 43
If only I knew how. Not too tech savvyDo you just stick a post in the ground and nail wood to it? Or is it something else?
I would be grateful if people could post pictures of theirs
MKNOX
Member
He re are some pics of my outdoor sulcata pens. They are 1x6 PT 18" high. The large tortoise enclosure is divided with a gate for shift purposes. One side is 24x24ft while the other is 16x16 ft. His hide box is 4x4ft with 2 heat sources. The small tortoise enclosure is 8x8ft. The hide in this enclosure is 15"x36". I included detail photos of the hides.
