I am planning to extend my outdoor enclosure to have an area of approx 20ft x 15ft for my torts to roam around. My only concern is that I won't be able to cover the top of such a large area with netting or wire. Does anyone else leave their outdoor enclosures open? They will be locked away at night. I'm really keen to give them a larger, more interesting space but worried they might be attacked by cats or birds.

Hi,

This depends on how big/old your tortoises are? If they are adults or sub adults then it is ok to leave the enclosure uncovered, however, babies and juveniles will need to be covered securely as they are easy prey for magpies and other large birds.

Ali 

Hi, magpies especially are a menace to my tortoises outside. I have wooden frames covered with wire mesh. I find I can cover quite large areas this way. A wooden frame can only work up to a certain size, so what I do is to have a number of frames which are supported by log roll or by posts if I don't want a complete boundary at that point. Because my woodwork is dodgy, the frames are not perfectly straight and there can be little gaps.  These are easily closed with spare bits of wire mesh laid there.

I find the agressive magpies do not fancy trying to squeeze through a gap to attack the tortoises. I think it is because they are clumsy and sense that they would get trapped under the mesh.

Larger tortoises are OK in some localities but I personally wouldn't even have large ones in enclosures here without covers. I can always take covers off when I am in the garden so I can enjoy watching them better. The tortoises do not care about the wire covers!

If you are interested,I have kept adult torts outside in a similar enclosed area for over 30 years. We have local cat visitors, a resident sparrow hawk feeding on birds in my garden and squirrels. I provide a small kennel, plus bushes as shelter. Never one has there been an issue. provided you keep droppings composted or at least cleared up, there is little to distinguish "the pen" from any other garden. I do suggest close-boarded walls, as torts incessantly try to get through mess sides, and may sustain injuries. Planted thoughtfully, and once matured, there should be in my opinion, no problems for you. Hope this helps.