Digging horsfieldi

Pembstort · 20-03-2012, 05:17 PM

I'm building a outdoor enclosure for my new horsfieldi and both are escape artists. Apparently the female caused havoc on the Hamm bus when travelling back by getting through boxes,
As I've never had problems with hermanns digging out before I've never needed to secure the floor of their pens.
How does everyone stop their horsfieldi digging out?
It's not a permanent enclosure so I cannot use concrete.
Could I simply put chicken wire on the floor? I'm not digging as the lawn needs to be kept fairly tidy.
Thought chicken wire may harm their legs if they started to did so looking for alternatives
Thanks

Merlin M · 20-03-2012, 05:31 PM

I have heard of people using concrete paving slabs, which would then be removable...

NATURALIS · 20-03-2012, 05:36 PM

they would rip through chicken wire unless it was heavy stuff.
flat rocks or slabs would be the best option

EJ · 20-03-2012, 06:12 PM

If you give them a comfortable hide they usually will not be inclined to dig. Try this before going to extremes. More importantly... they are much better climbers than they are diggers.

Catwoman63 · 20-03-2012, 08:44 PM

Mine climb more than they dig, lilly can climb in the most unusual places, i caught her halfway up a 2 ft wall, she'd used a bag of soil and concrete block for leverage lol, so i make their outdoor and indoor enclosure climb proof x

Pembstort · 20-03-2012, 09:08 PM

Climbing is sorted with an overhang and run cover to protect from foxes.
Didnt fancy paving slabs as wanted a more natural solution but will have to do if no options

lynnedit · 21-03-2012, 04:02 AM

I agree with the climbing tendency! You have to be careful with rocks/hides, etc., close to the wall, as they use anything.
Another idea is to put pavers all around the inside edges. You can put topsoil right up to it. Mine use the pavers as a walkway, but then don't tend to dig under the outside edges, especially if they have some mounds, ornamental grasses, and hides in the middle to root around in.

rosshan · 29-03-2012, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EJ

If you give them a comfortable hide they usually will not be inclined to dig. Try this before going to extremes. More importantly... they are much better climbers than they are diggers.

I'm curious, what is a comfortable hide? My torts seem to sleep wherever.

EJ · 29-03-2012, 10:22 PM

Tortoises usually seek out a warm hide.

Quote:

Originally Posted by rosshan

I'm curious, what is a comfortable hide? My torts seem to sleep wherever.

rosshan · 30-03-2012, 05:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EJ

Tortoises usually seek out a warm hide.

ah ok. I see what you mead. Cheers EJ

20-03-2012, 05:17 PM	#1
Pembstort Member Egg Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 83	Digging horsfieldi I'm building a outdoor enclosure for my new horsfieldi and both are escape artists. Apparently the female caused havoc on the Hamm bus when travelling back by getting through boxes, As I've never had problems with hermanns digging out before I've never needed to secure the floor of their pens. How does everyone stop their horsfieldi digging out? It's not a permanent enclosure so I cannot use concrete. Could I simply put chicken wire on the floor? I'm not digging as the lawn needs to be kept fairly tidy. Thought chicken wire may harm their legs if they started to did so looking for alternatives Thanks

20-03-2012, 05:36 PM	#3
NATURALIS Senior Member Adult Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: cheshire Posts: 3,472	they would rip through chicken wire unless it was heavy stuff. flat rocks or slabs would be the best option __________________ Home bred tortoise's available all year round, Hermanns , spur-thighed ( ibera ) pm for details

20-03-2012, 06:12 PM	#4
EJ Senior Member Adult Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 8,277	If you give them a comfortable hide they usually will not be inclined to dig. Try this before going to extremes. More importantly... they are much better climbers than they are diggers. __________________ Ed Tortoise Keerpers @ http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Tortoise_Keepers and http://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/284442591651347/ Trying to keep the fun in Chelonian care

20-03-2012, 08:44 PM	#5
Catwoman63 Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: South East England Posts: 6,739	Mine climb more than they dig, lilly can climb in the most unusual places, i caught her halfway up a 2 ft wall, she'd used a bag of soil and concrete block for leverage lol, so i make their outdoor and indoor enclosure climb proof x __________________ BEV XXX 0.3.0 - T Horsfieldii (Xena, Zelda & Lilly) 2.2.0 - TG Terrestris (Zeus, Astreus / Zagreus & Alexia) 1.2.0 - Zebra Finches (Gunner / Bonnie & May) 0.1.0 - SBT (Hazel) 1.0.0 - FBD (Ted) Last edited by Catwoman63; 20-03-2012 at 08:47 PM.

21-03-2012, 04:02 AM	#7
lynnedit Member Hatched Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Washington State, USA Posts: 332	I agree with the climbing tendency! You have to be careful with rocks/hides, etc., close to the wall, as they use anything. Another idea is to put pavers all around the inside edges. You can put topsoil right up to it. Mine use the pavers as a walkway, but then don't tend to dig under the outside edges, especially if they have some mounds, ornamental grasses, and hides in the middle to root around in. __________________ Lynne Horsfields 1.3.0 Ornate box turtle 0.1.0 Pacific NW, US

20-03-2012, 05:31 PM	#2
Merlin M Senior Member Adult Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Edinburgh Posts: 4,186	I have heard of people using concrete paving slabs, which would then be removable...

20-03-2012, 09:08 PM	#6
Pembstort Member Egg Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 83	Climbing is sorted with an overhang and run cover to protect from foxes. Didnt fancy paving slabs as wanted a more natural solution but will have to do if no options

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