Outdoor enclosure perimeter walls

[schristensen13]

We are adopting a ten yr old 40 lb male in the next few months from a friend. I have a pretty good idea of everything but the perimeter “walls”.
I was planning on stacked cinder blocks with posts driven through for reinforcement. I was just looking at our local tort rescue and saw that they use see through hog panels for their sulcata pens. I always thought it was better if they can’t see beyond their enclosure, but are panels a safe/healthy option? If so, I can make his pen much bigger, solely due to cost. Would panels with boards attached to cut down on visibility be a better option?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Tom]

If the tortoise hasn't been raised behind cinder blocks, they aren't likely to hold a 40 pounder, stakes or not. If you go that route and the tortoise challenges the wall, you can line the inside with 16" x 8' long strips of plywood. This will prevent him from toppling the blocks. I think blocks are good for smaller tortoises, but larger ones will sometimes push out.

A visual barrier is a necessity. Injury is likely without it, so I wouldn't go that way unless you want to line the bottom with more of those 8 foot by 16 inch tall plywood panels.

The best way is to put pressure treated posts in the ground on 8 foot centers and use either plywood or 2x12s to make a wall.

 

[jsheffield]

How high does the enclosure wall need to be?

Is there a standard minimum, like "twice the tortoise's length" or something, to avoid climbers?

Thanks,

Jamie

 

[schristensen13]

If the tortoise hasn't been raised behind cinder blocks, they aren't likely to hold a 40 pounder, stakes or not. If you go that route and the tortoise challenges the wall, you can line the inside with 16" x 8' long strips of plywood. This will prevent him from toppling the blocks. I think blocks are good for smaller tortoises, but larger ones will sometimes push out.

A visual barrier is a necessity. Injury is likely without it, so I wouldn't go that way unless you want to line the bottom with more of those 8 foot by 16 inch tall plywood panels.

The best way is to put pressure treated posts in the ground on 8 foot centers and use either plywood or 2x12s to make a wall.

He is currently behind cinders, but honestly, I’d rather do a perimeter fence like you are suggesting. Cinders are pricey! Plus, I have a carpenter husband who can easily throw a fence like that up. Thanks for your information, I appreciate it!
All I had heard/read was they needed a visual barrier...then I saw pics of the rescue and got all confused. This guy is currently in a pretty small space, so I want as much room as possible for him to stretch his legs.

 

[SULCY]

This is what I use works great easy to enlarge the enclosure just add another section.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/10-ft-C...teel-Utility-Gauge-Roof-Panel-13504/202322817

 

[schristensen13]

This is what I use works great easy to enlarge the enclosure just add another section.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/10-ft-C...teel-Utility-Gauge-Roof-Panel-13504/202322817

Great idea! Thanks!

 

[Yvonne G]

I like the roof panel idea, but as I had a whole bunch of used corral boards that's what I fenced Dudley's yard with.

 

[schristensen13]

Ok, one more question....what is a safe height for the perimeter walls? Obviously we want it to last a while....is there a standard suggested height? 24 inches?

Again, thanks for all of the help!

 

[SULCY]

Since I use the roofing panels I believe they are 2 feet tall. For a smaller tortoise they probably could be shorter. Just didn't want to redo the enclosure when he got bigger.

 

[MountainFox]

This is what I use works great easy to enlarge the enclosure just add another section.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/10-ft-C...teel-Utility-Gauge-Roof-Panel-13504/202322817

Awesome tip! Thank you!

 

[jsheffield]

I bought the corner pieces and 2X10s from home depot (l got two 8' boards, and they cut them in half for me) ... when Darwin gets a bit larger, I'll upsize them.



Jamie

 

[Hugo's Home]

Mine is about the same size this is what I did check out the thread. Used leftover roof pannels since they were free. When i expand I'll might use wood boards.

https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/adult-sulcata-enclosure-build-arizona.158623/page-2

 

[Yvonne G]

Keep in mind that your 40lb steam roller is not going to be happy to be moved to a new location. He's going to try to escape, probably most of the day, for a couple weeks. If you have the hog panels, he's going to end up with a bloody face from trying to get out all day long. So you need a sturdy fence that a 40lb bulldozer can't push down. . . and, believe me, they ARE very strong. I doubt cinder
blocks with posts driven through them would hold him.

When I got Dudley he was only 35lbs, and my fence held him just fine:

 

[MKNOX]

I built my enclosures out of 8' 1x6 attached to 4' on center fence posts. I went 18" high and have had no issues. I put the posts on the outside except in the corners, this keeps him from pushing on the posts as he cruises the perimeter. I have 2 sections connected by a door so I can shift him from one to the other as he grazes one side down currently I just keep the door open and let him have access to both sides.