Outdoor cement patio

[Sunshimmer]

Hi all!

I was wondering if you can give me some information before I go ahead with my idea.

I have 3 russian tortoises that are 4-5 inches in size. I would like to keep them outdoors (I'm in PA) in spring, summer, and into some fall. (About 6 months outdoor time)

Problem is I have a hawk nest nearby and over a dozen hawks can be seen flying over our property all day long. Some even landing on top of my garage. I would like to provide a large protected area without covering whole backyard with hardware cloth. I already have a 25x15 area that is protected but unfortunately it is a cement floor patio area. No dirt at all.

My concern is it's all flat, hard, and no substrate, total cement. I could make a small area with substrate but not entire area. Would this kind of surface be harmful to their legs, shell, nails, and/or well being? Is this feasible, or must I build something instead? I rather not if I don't have to.

Thanks!

 

[Blackdog1714]

You could add pens on top of the cement and add cypress mulch at 4” deep for them too walk in and burrow into. Otherwise just wall of their pens in your yard and plant 4x4 to hang shade cloths from. They come in a variety of colors and will deter the hawks

 

[Sunshimmer]

Yeah putting in 4x4s in the yard or digging seems like an impossible feat. Yard is mostly rock and very very hard dirt/clay. Have to use a pick ax to get anywhere. Took 2 hrs once to dig a 2ft x 4ft area 12 inches deep! I'm no spring chicken anymore. Can't get machinery into yard either. I guess if I have to go that route, I could start now and hope it will be done by spring! Lol I thought shade cloth would block sun too much....no?

 

[Blackdog1714]

Yeah putting in 4x4s in the yard or digging seems like an impossible feat. Yard is mostly rock and very very hard dirt/clay. Have to use a pick ax to get anywhere. Took 2 hrs once to dig a 2ft x 4ft area 12 inches deep! I'm no spring chicken anymore. Can't get machinery into yard either. I guess if I have to go that route, I could start now and hope it will be done by spring! Lol I thought shade cloth would block sun too much....no?

The shade cloth comes in all sorts of sizes and shapes so you could make a multi level array that would leave strips of light open for bask zones.

 

[Sunshimmer]

The shade cloth comes in all sorts of sizes and shapes so you could make a multi level array that would leave strips of light open for bask zones. View attachment 307965

That is a GREAT idea! I might be able to tie those into my fence posts and old metal clothes hanging posts in my yard. That would be a lot easier than trying to put up hardware cloth and the smaller birds that visit won't get stuck in it and my torts can be hidden from the hawks! Thank you so much! The picture was a big help to understand what you meant.