Ideas please?

[Easter Bunny]

I need your ideas please

I need a an outside tortoise table on legs for my two little ones (Ron and Reg)in the summer. The problem I found last year was when it rained, I had to bring them in because the table would get too wet and I was afraid it would flood.

Can anyone suggest maybe a kind of roof I could have built or any other suggestions that would keep rain out but still let them get the sun. I was thinking maybe a slanted roof, so sun would still get in from the front but if it rained the rain would drain off. Do you think this would work?

When I used to go out I was constantly worrying about the tortoises if it rained. I'm preparing myself for the horrible summers we get

[pagan queen]

You could drill holes in the bottom of the table to let water run out. If tou line it with weed suppressant fabric it will stop the soil being washed away too.
Other than that a plastic roof that you can take off when it's sunny might work.

[alley cat]

I think you need to think more about drainage than a roof. If the torts were in a garden enclosure they would probably only have a sheltered area to retreat to when it rains, so if you just treat your table as a garden but make sure it is well drained it should be fine.

[Easter Bunny]

Originally Posted by alley cat

I think you need to think more about drainage than a roof. If the torts were in a garden enclosure they would probably only have a sheltered area to retreat to when it rains, so if you just treat your table as a garden but make sure it is well drained it should be fine.

Yes your probably right. Last year they had a little cold frame to retreat to if it rained but the table used to get too wet and the soil become like mud.
So whenever it rained I would run out get them in and cover the enclosure.
But if I was out I would panick

[EJ]

Wooden supports like that used on a bed frame to hold up the matress... 1/8 inch mesh hardware cloth on top of the frame. A layer of coarse gravel on top of that... and the bedding on top of that.

This would be better than a roof because the tortoise would have access to the rain which they seem to love.

Here's an idea...



This was built for Flattail tortoises. The screening on top is 1/2 inch hardware cloth.

Originally Posted by LYNNEEASTER

I need your ideas please

I need a an outside tortoise table on legs for my two little ones (Ron and Reg)in the summer. The problem I found last year was when it rained, I had to bring them in because the table would get too wet and I was afraid it would flood.

Can anyone suggest maybe a kind of roof I could have built or any other suggestions that would keep rain out but still let them get the sun. I was thinking maybe a slanted roof, so sun would still get in from the front but if it rained the rain would drain off. Do you think this would work?

When I used to go out I was constantly worrying about the tortoises if it rained. I'm preparing myself for the horrible summers we get

[TortBabe]

What about a plastic rabbit cage, you could drill holes in the bottom

[Easter Bunny]

Originally Posted by EJ

Wooden supports like that used on a bed frame to hold up the matress... 1/8 inch mesh hardware cloth on top of the frame. A layer of coarse gravel on top of that... and the bedding on top of that.

This would be better than a roof because the tortoise would have access to the rain which they seem to love.

Here's an idea...



This was built for Flattail tortoises. The screening on top is 1/2 inch hardware cloth.

Thanks, That looks brilliant for the two little ones. My friends husband is a carpenter and he said he would make me one for free (just pay for the wood)if I showed him exactly what I wanted
This is it!

[EJ]

You don't have to build it that big but I'll bet they would be in heaven and you can plant without concern of them eating it before it grow. I'd suggest planting it and allowing it to grow for a week or two so the plants can establish themselves.

Instead of gravel you can use plastic liner with a holes punched in the liner. You can use a paper hole puncher to make clean holes. Make folds the liner as you go along so it will fit in the hole puncher.

Originally Posted by LYNNEEASTER

Thanks, That looks brilliant for the two little ones. My friends husband is a carpenter and he said he would make me one for free (just pay for the wood)if I showed him exactly what I wanted
This is it!

[Easter Bunny]

Originally Posted by EJ

You don't have to build it that big but I'll bet they would be in heaven and you can plant without concern of them eating it before it grow. I'd suggest planting it and allowing it to grow for a week or two so the plants can establish themselves.

Instead of gravel you can use plastic liner with a holes punched in the liner. You can use a paper hole puncher to make clean holes. Make folds the liner as you go along so it will fit in the hole puncher.

Thanks for the idea. I will probably get it made that big just incase I get more torts. Might have it so I can have parts sectioned off if needed in the future
Doesn't take much to please me, lol

[EJ]

They will still love it. If you can keep them out there for a good portion of the year you will see some wonderful growth.

You might want to add a heated hide. This will allow the tortoises to stay out longer.

As long as it is above freezing I allow my tortoises to remain outside as long as they have a heated house and the daytime temperatures get to 60F or above.

The problem is that you have to make sure the tortoises use the hide. You might have to check on them and lock them in at night.

Originally Posted by LYNNEEASTER

Thanks for the idea. I will probably get it made that big just incase I get more torts. Might have it so I can have parts sectioned off if needed in the future
Doesn't take much to please me, lol