Hermy's future outside enclosure

[Isa]

My fiance and I are already planning Hermy's outside enclosure that we will make for him for the summer (even if there is still 5 foot of snow in the backyard ). We want to make a cement base, that way if the neighbour puts pesticides or fertilizer in his yard or if there is a leak in our pool, Hermy will not be in contact with it. The cement will be inclined to one side so that we could leave a little hole for the water to come out in case it rains. We will install a road of blocks or bricks all around (my fiance is a bricklayer ). we will put a a chickenwire fence all around and on top. The other idea that we had is put the cement base straight without holes and cover the enclosure when Hermy is not in it, that way, when it rains, it will not go inside it. The thing we are not sure of is what substrate could we put??? It is a big problem for us I really dont know why but where we live it is impossible to find organic soil without fertilizer. The only one I found was mixed with shrimp compost. So we thought of mixing some eco earth or coconut husk with sand. Is there another kind of substrate I can put in. I am a bit worried that the eco earth will dry fast and damage Hermy's eyes. Is there a good brand of soil that I can find in waterbury connecticut? Because I am going there in May so I could buy some. or maybe I could put a kind of mulch (not sure which one). Any advices are welcome ).

 

[K9KidsLove]

Hi...Do you have a place that you can dig up or till up dirt and put yard dirt in the enclosure so you can plant it with grass and weeds for him to eat? You will want something solid around the bottom of the enclosure so he can't see out. If he sees out thru the wire, he will stress and try to get out and get caught in the wire.
Have you decided how big you are going to make it?
You will need a hide at least on each end so he can get out of the sun if he wants to. I like to use dog igloo houses. I put maple leaves in them for them to dig into. You could also mix sphagnum moss with some soil inside the doghouse if it needs to stay damp.
Good luck
Patsy

 

[Kristina]

I would absolutely not use chicken wire for your fencing. It is small, thin wire that is quite sharp and can cause serious injury. Using it for a cover is okay, but as Patsy said you need to have a solid wall around the bottom of the enclosure or Hermy WILL hurt himself trying to get out. Not even a different kind of wire is appropriate.

Kristina

 

[Maggie Cummings]

I agree with Patsy...can't you create an environment for him basically on your lawn or using yard soil? I have small solid fencing that I use for my smaller tortoises and I move it around the yard for them. I cover the top with a some wire only it's not metal it's soft lid, hardware cloth maybe? It's stapled on 1x1 wood that makes it easy for me to move. I live in a rural area and see hawks all the time so outside of Bob I cover the top of any of my smaller chelonia...
I use cinderblock to create a habitat for my box turtles. I have a place that is right next to my deck with a roadie planted in it and all spring and summer my boxies are outside in that spot.

 

[Crazy1]

Isa, here is a link to the hatchling pen I made, Just for an idea, http://tortoiseforum.org/thread-3040.html
I used hardware cloth for the bottom then filled it with yard dirt. Then I put Hardware cloth on the top so that no Birds, I have owls and hawks near by, would harm them. Since they don’t dig deep like Russians I have had no problems with them ever digging down to the hardware cloth. Comet is still using the pen and he is 16 months old now. You could use brick and cement only the edges that should keep any unwanted substances from entering your pen then place the wire in the middle and lay dirt over the entire area so that you can plant in the center for Hermy allowing the roots to go deep. Organic soils or potting soil will have things like shrimp or bat guano in them or worm casings. These should be OK. If you set out any most any soils now and water it daily, it should be fine by the time, Hermy inhabits it, after the thaw in a couple of months.
Good luck. Looking forward to seeing pics of Hermys’ new outside home.

 

[Isa]

Thanks for the replies
Do not worry, I will not put the chicken wire all around the enclosure where Hermy can touch it, I will put blocks or bricks all around and on top of that, I will put the chicken wire.
I could put Hermy's enclosure on the grass and turn over the soil but I am a bit worried that the neighbour put some pesticides in his grass and that my pool could leak. I am a bit worried to get soil in the forest since I think they put a pesticides in the air by plaine. I am not sure how big the enclosure will be but I want it to be very spacious ) I will also plant some greens, flowers and plants in Hermy's enclosure and I will put a couple of hides.
Thanks for the link Robyn , the enclosure is very nice, thanks for the idea. I like the idea of not puting a base entirely made of cement. I will say that to my fiance. I am really happy about the organic soil with shrimp compost. I did not know the compost would disapear of the soil, how much time does it take to disapear completely? Should I mix it with sand or put only the soil?
We will build Hermy's enclosure as soon as the snow is gone, probably in april.

 

[Crazy1]

It usually takes about 3 months I think depending on what they have in them.

 

[Isa]

It usually takes about 3 months I think depending on what they have in them.

Thanks Robyn The soil is available in April, Hermy will be able to move in July.
And should I mix it with play sand or just leave it like that?
Thanks

 

[Crazy1]

For outside Isa I just used the soil.

 

[Isa]

Thanks for your help Robyn