Which would be a good cover for an outdoor enclosure?

[Rocky219]

I need a lid to protect my tortoise from birds when she is outside. Which one would make the best top for an outdoor enclosure?

Those are some options, below is a list of what they have

 

[Tom]

What size and species of tortoise? What size enclosure?

The chicken wire will stop birds, but it won't stop raccoons or dogs.
The hardware cloth will stop rats, raccoons and dogs if there are no other gaps, but it also greatly reduces visibility, if that matters to you.
I used the 1x2 inch welded wire on mine and it works great. Some people use U-nails, but I decided to go with deck screws and fender washers for attachment.

 

[Rocky219]

What size and species of tortoise? What size enclosure?

The chicken wire will stop birds, but it won't stop raccoons or dogs.
The hardware cloth will stop rats, raccoons and dogs if there are no other gaps, but it also greatly reduces visibility, if that matters to you.
I used the 1x2 inch welded wire on mine and it works great. Some people use U-nails, but I decided to go with deck screws and fender washers for attachment.

5 inch Hermann Tortoise. The enclosure size will be at least 8x4. Thanks for the response.

 

[ArmadilloPup]

For my chickens and my tortoise pen, I use bird/deer netting like what is used for gardens. I have hawks and stray cats, none of which even bother with it. It's pulled taut, but just loose enough that there's some give, so it's too unbalanced/risky for an animal to try climbing on top. Just be sure that the netting is out of the reach of the tortoise, and don't leave large sections hanging loose where wild critters like birds and snakes can get tangled.

 

[Cathie G]

I need a lid to protect my tortoise from birds when she is outside. Which one would make the best top for an outdoor enclosure?
View attachment 345321View attachment 345324
Those are some options, below is a list of what they have
View attachment 345332

I like the 1/2" hardware cloth for mine. I use furring strips (1×2"s ×8') to build the lid first. And the dang lightweight double point tacks for the hardware cloth..😉🙏 they are such a pain on the finger that's holding it in place while you use a hammer. Ouch 😣 There's a trick to that though. I just learned it in the past few days. I have to finish my project soon so I'll post a picture of exactly how to hold the tack in place so it's easy.🤗

 

[Cathie G]

I like the 1/2" hardware cloth for mine. I use furring strips (1×2"s ×8') to build the lid first. And the dang lightweight double point tacks for the hardware cloth..😉🙏 they are such a pain on the finger that's holding it in place while you use a hammer. Ouch 😣 There's a trick to that though. I just learned it in the past few days. I have to finish my project soon so I'll post a picture of exactly how to hold the tack in place so it's easy.🤗

I know I promised a picture but I'll try to explain it instead. Use your forefinger flattened straight down to hold the tack in place across a down spline up against the cross of the width of the hardware cloth. That way you can level the cloth up as you work your way one tack here and there not doing all one side but doing first one then another. The cloth will slide into place.I usually do the corners first. Those can be one down spline from the corner. I like the light weight tacks because they go in easy. They also don't put large holes in the wood and they hold just as well.

 

[Cathie G]

I know I promised a picture but I'll try to explain it instead. Use your forefinger flattened straight down to hold the tack in place across a down spline up against the cross of the width of the hardware cloth. That way you can level the cloth up as you work your way one tack here and there not doing all one side but doing first one then another. The cloth will slide into place.I usually do the corners first. Those can be one down spline from the corner. I like the light weight tacks because they go in easy. They also don't put large holes in the wood and they hold just as well.

Ok here's my picture of a done job ☺️. To show how the cloth can just adjust and slide. I must be dense 😁it took me 20 years to get the hang of that darn knarly crap 🤔

 

[Rocky219]

I know I promised a picture but I'll try to explain it instead. Use your forefinger flattened straight down to hold the tack in place across a down spline up against the cross of the width of the hardware cloth. That way you can level the cloth up as you work your way one tack here and there not doing all one side but doing first one then another. The cloth will slide into place.I usually do the corners first. Those can be one down spline from the corner. I like the light weight tacks because they go in easy. They also don't put large holes in the wood and they hold just as well.

Okay thank you

 

[Srobidoux]

I need a lid to protect my tortoise from birds when she is outside. Which one would make the best top for an outdoor enclosure?
View attachment 345321View attachment 345324
Those are some options, below is a list of what they have
View attachment 345332

We used the hardware cloth…..going on second year and still great!