Tortoise pasture plan from scratch

Amydillo

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I am taking the plunge and switching from Sulcata to Aldabra. I live on a cattle ranch in SE TX and want to build an appropriate tort fence on 4 acres behind our home. From scratch, incorporating multiple “pastures” for rotated grazing within those 4 acres, what fence should I build? Does outer fencing need to be coyote proof? Less inner fencing? Solid bottom portion with what materials since it is such a large area? I want to do it right the first time but without breaking the bank.
 

Yvonne G

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They aren't as destructive as a sulcata, however, if they know there's a 'world' outside the fence, they have no respect for the fence. So whatever you build, buy supplies with an elephant in mind. In these pictures, SO is on the wrong side of the fence. The last picture is the repaired fence, and what he went through to get into the box turtle yard:

SO 3-2-15 a.jpg SO 3-2-15 b.jpg SO 3-2-15 c.jpg SO 3-2-15 d.jpg SO 3-2-15 e.jpg SO 3-2-15 g.jpg
 

Amydillo

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SE Texas
They aren't as destructive as a sulcata, however, if they know there's a 'world' outside the fence, they have no respect for the fence. So whatever you build, buy supplies with an elephant in mind. In these pictures, SO is on the wrong side of the fence. The last picture is the repaired fence, and what he went through to get into the box turtle yard:

View attachment 235086 View attachment 235087 View attachment 235088 View attachment 235089 View attachment 235090 View attachment 235091

Can they see through the small crack in-between wood planks and thus try to bust through? Are stacked horizontal 2x12’s ok or does it need to be completely solid?
 

Amydillo

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Location (City and/or State)
SE Texas
I am taking the plunge and switching from Sulcata to Aldabra. I live on a cattle ranch in SE TX and want to build an appropriate tort fence on 4 acres behind our home. From scratch, incorporating multiple “pastures” for rotated grazing within those 4 acres, what fence should I build? Does outer fencing need to be coyote proof? Less inner fencing? Solid bottom portion with what materials since it is such a large area? I want to do it right the first time but without breaking the bank.

IMG_1005.jpg
@ALDABRAMAN, what exactly is your fence made of and how is it put together?
 

ALDABRAMAN

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I want to do it right the first time but without breaking the bank.

~ Just my input, this is your first conflict. Based on over thirty years working with this species, it is not cost effective to not break the bank. Safety and security should be a very important factor when you start this project, i have spent my wheels in the past it has always cost way more later and a tremendous amount of labor is usually involved.
 

ALDABRAMAN

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~ We are constantly learning and always improving, our new location will be a concrete block wall on three sides of the perimeter. Many argue that it is too expensive, maybe for some, however when you have the most successful aldabra breeding program currently in the US i feel nothing is to much. When you factor in repairs, wood rotting, etc. it is truly not that much more. It is only a fraction of the value of our animals.

IMG_5233.JPG
 

ALDABRAMAN

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Does outer fencing need to be coyote proof?

~ Never had these concerns. We have them here, however never any issues. My biggest concerns in are area is certain native snakes and big birds when our hatchlings are little.
 

mrnewberry

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~ We are constantly learning and always improving, our new location will be a concrete block wall on three sides of the perimeter. Many argue that it is too expensive, maybe for some, however when you have the most successful aldabra breeding program currently in the US i feel nothing is to much. When you factor in repairs, wood rotting, etc. it is truly not that much more. It is only a fraction of the value of our animals.

View attachment 235160

Thanks for sharing!
 

Amydillo

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~ We are constantly learning and always improving, our new location will be a concrete block wall on three sides of the perimeter. Many argue that it is too expensive, maybe for some, however when you have the most successful aldabra breeding program currently in the US i feel nothing is to much. When you factor in repairs, wood rotting, etc. it is truly not that much more. It is only a fraction of the value of our animals.

View attachment 235160

Thanks. I think a 3 phase plan over a few years, increasing the amount of space as the torts grow, is feasible to do it correctly within budget. I saw a whole pile of concrete road construction barriers on the side of the highway. Perfect !!! I wonder how one would get a bunch of those ??[emoji848]
 

Amydillo

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Has anyone ever used Hotwire tape on top of a solid fence? We use it for interior fencing with our horses. It is just strong enough for them to learn to choose not to ever test it twice themselves. The strongest fence ever made is in the mind of the animal ! Can an Aldabra learn this lesson or would it be a horrible cruel idea for this species?
 

NorCal tortoise guy

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~ We are constantly learning and always improving, our new location will be a concrete block wall on three sides of the perimeter. Many argue that it is too expensive, maybe for some, however when you have the most successful aldabra breeding program currently in the US i feel nothing is to much. When you factor in repairs, wood rotting, etc. it is truly not that much more. It is only a fraction of the value of our animals.

View attachment 235160

Are you worried they will rub there shells on the concrete? My Aldabra is just small but as I start to build for him and his future friends I to want to make sure I do it right the first time. I have thought about it many times but concrete has always worried me with my sulatas
 
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