The Best Way to Enclose a Small Pond for Turtles

An outdoor pond is the healthiest and most natural enclosure for water turtles. An ideal pond enclosure will protect turtles from predators while allowing access to sunlight and fresh air. It is not difficult to balance these needs with a high-quality lid for your pond.

Things You'll Need

  • Chicken wire
  • Stakes
  • Particleboard
  • Nails
  • Wood board
  • Twist Ties
  • Hinges
Show More

Instructions

  1. Enclosing an Above-Ground Pond

    • 1

      Enclose the sides of the pond first. Chicken wire is the simplest choice for an above-ground pond. Measure enough chicken wire to completely enclose the outside of the pond. The chicken wire should also rise to approximately a foot above the pond. This ensures that your turtles cannot escape and that they have ample room to bask in the sun. Make sure that the chicken wire is no more than 2 inches away from the sides of the pond. If the chicken wire is too far away, predators can get in, and your turtles can get out.

    • 2

      Stake the chicken wire to the ground. Most hardware stores sell chicken wire that comes with stakes. Simply put at least one stake at each corner of the pond. If your pond is particularly long or wide, you should also place a stake halfway down the length of each side.

    • 3

      Create a chicken wire lid. Measure a length of chicken wire that is slightly longer on all sides than the top of the pond. Affix the lid on one side only to the chicken wire at the base. This can be accomplished with something as simple as twist ties. As long as the sides are stable, the lid will stay on.

    Enclosing an In-Ground Pond

    • 4

      An in-ground pond will only need a lid. For a simple solution, use the chicken wire lid described above.

    • 5

      For a more durable and attractive lid, make a particleboard frame that is the same length and width of the top of your pond. Then nail smaller boards inside the frame to create a criss-cross pattern. Ensure that none of the spaces between boards is large enough for a turtle to get out or a predator to get in.

    • 6

      Nail a board to the back side of the pond. Using hinges, affix the particleboard lid to this board. You will then have a hinged lid that can be opened and closed.