Introducing Tortoises to my Girls

[AquaDuck]

Agree. Pictures, pictures!

 

[Ra_]

I've got Gopher Tortoises burrows surrounding my property. They are always trucking through my yard. They don't seem to care at all about my birds or even my cat. They have even burrowed into habitats with my Serama.

Here's a smaller one that completely ignored me and just kept eating.

I had three come through last week. I picked one of them up and put it in my Sunflower microgreen patch and it seemed to really enjoy those juicy plants. When I picked it up, it didn't withdraw into its shell, it kicked like mad.

 

[aart]

Here's some other Tortoise threads....
https://www.backyardchickens.com/search/62157217/?q=Tortoise&t=post&o=date&c[title_only]=1

 

[Chickassan]

They can't pull in very much had one make it all the way up here to S.C, for some reason it had "boogie chaser" painted on the shell.
We don't have them this far up so I kept it for a bit wondering what has this turtle been eating to grow so big.
Handled that poor soul enough that i'm pretty sure they just can't.
Great uncle finally told me what it was and let old boogie eat some grass. I was a kid, no idea tomatoes, and box turtle delicacies didn't intrest it at all.

I've got Gopher Tortoises burrows surrounding my property. They are always trucking through my yard. They don't seem to care at all about my birds or even my cat. They have even burrowed into habitats with my Serama.

Here's a smaller one that completely ignored me and just kept eating.

I had three come through last week. I picked one of them up and put it in my Sunflower microgreen patch and it seemed to really enjoy those juicy plants. When I picked it up, it didn't withdraw into its shell, it kicked like mad.

 

[Yorkshire Coop]

My tortoise is still small (1 year) so he only goes out in his enclosed garden run and not near the birds so I’m not able to offer any advice. But @Tortoise might be able to help you.

 

[Tortoise]

They really should not be put with your chickens. Really need to be kept away from the dog. If you haven't yet, join the tortoiseforum.org
You will find all the reasons your dog should not be allowed to be by the tortoises unless you have your 100% undivided attention on them. Also not good to have them with your chickens as the chickens could easily peck an eye out. Also the torts could eat the chicken poop which could cause medical problems and/or parasites. In the wild, yes tortoises are in areas that birds will be. However they have miles and miles to roam much larger then just the areas we can provide them.
Btw tortoises in pairs is a bad idea. They dont want or need a companion. If they are both males they will fight. Male and a female, the Male will try to breed her too illness or death. Two females might get along with they have a huge enclosure with lots of sight barriers hides and feeding/water stations.
Check out the forum listed above. It's the only tortoise information that is correct and up to date.

 

[Tortoise]

They can't pull in very much had one make it all the way up here to S.C, for some reason it had "boogie chaser" painted on the shell.
We don't have them this far up so I kept it for a bit wondering what has this turtle been eating to grow so big.
Handled that poor soul enough that i'm pretty sure they just can't.
Great uncle finally told me what it was and let old boogie eat some grass. I was a kid, no idea tomatoes, and box turtle delicacies didn't intrest it at all.

The difference though is they have the advantage of leaving. Captive ones do not
I also would not mention much about touching them/picking them up. In most if not all states they populate it's against the law to touch, harasse pick up or take from the wild.

 

[getaclue]

Introducing chickens, and tortoises might bot be the best idea, for so many reasons.

 

[Chickassan]

They aren't a native species here and I was eight.
They're welcome to lock me away.
I did do brother tortise a solid and clean that paint off the shell.

The difference though is they have the advantage of leaving. Captive ones do not
I also would not mention much about touching them/picking them up. In most if not all states they populate it's against the law to touch, harasse pick up or take from the wild.