Dog fencing, shearing, etc
Oct. 28th, 2022 06:33 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
unicorndukeLast weekend, I got the dog fencing put up. I ran to so many places Sat morning, first tractor supply for poles and fencing. I got 5.5 ft heavy duty t-posts and 5 ft tall mesh wire fencing with 2inx4in holes because I was a little afraid of Mara trying to stick her face through bigger holes. I ended up getting three rolls of 100ft because I figured I could use the rest elsewhere. I also got socks because I was out and masonry twist ties for securing the fencing.
I also stopped by an estate sale on the way back which was a jackpot for things. There was so many tools and things in the garage and I picked up three hydraulic jacks, clippers, saws, a whole shoebox of hand tools, a double bay sink, three boxes of sewing thread and some other things for $80. So much stuff and some of it wasn't even out because there was so much stuff.
Finally got home and got to work. Drove poles into the ground which was remarkably easy but probably because it is a septic field that they put in. So level and no big rocks. Did one long side then decided to try putting up the fencing before I drove the rest of the poles. The roll of fencing was heavy and difficult to move but I was able to shuffle the roll along the ground while unrolling it. I tied it to each pole as I went so it could help stabilize the roll. I only dropped it once. It went smoother than I thought! I did end up with a headache so I quit after one long side.
Then Sunday, I got started around 9 and got the whole shebang completed by noon! I knew what I was doing and got it done! I'm not happy with the gates, which are just panels of the wire tied onto the poles but they work for now and in a few weeks I'll get some proper gates put up. Mara was unimpressed at first but she is liking it more, especially the early mornings I've had this week.
Tuesday, I graded potatoes for work. Lots of picking up and weighing baskets of potatoes. I really enjoy it because we also get to judge the potatoes. On my way home, I got a call from the shearer I'm working with, he had an opportunity to shear Wed morning, was I interested? Hell yes.
So Wed morning, I helped shear sheep! I sheared two small Icelandic sheep and then clipped the bellies of three other sheep. The belly cleanup was because they will lamb in January/February and by that time the fiber on the sheep will be really long and it can be difficult for the lambs to find udders. Didn't take too long and I can definitely see where I'm improving on equipment use and shearing. I can also see how to get better.
I moved furniture today for work. The office is moving and for some reason the basement office needed to be emptied soon so we pulled all the furniture out. My coworker wasn't going to move it to the new office but it was worth keeping so we put it in their garage.
Mara and I encountered turkeys on our evening walk today and Mara wanted to eat them so badly she was whining and barking and trying to bolt after them. We got through it okay but it must have been too much for her back legs because they were twitching after she calmed down. They've stopped twitching now and she's snoring.
I got tacos takeout for dinner and it was delicious. I'm also officially done with farm season 2022, no more trips to my parents for farm work. Good and bad. But definitely good for getting things done around here this weekend.
I also stopped by an estate sale on the way back which was a jackpot for things. There was so many tools and things in the garage and I picked up three hydraulic jacks, clippers, saws, a whole shoebox of hand tools, a double bay sink, three boxes of sewing thread and some other things for $80. So much stuff and some of it wasn't even out because there was so much stuff.
Finally got home and got to work. Drove poles into the ground which was remarkably easy but probably because it is a septic field that they put in. So level and no big rocks. Did one long side then decided to try putting up the fencing before I drove the rest of the poles. The roll of fencing was heavy and difficult to move but I was able to shuffle the roll along the ground while unrolling it. I tied it to each pole as I went so it could help stabilize the roll. I only dropped it once. It went smoother than I thought! I did end up with a headache so I quit after one long side.
Then Sunday, I got started around 9 and got the whole shebang completed by noon! I knew what I was doing and got it done! I'm not happy with the gates, which are just panels of the wire tied onto the poles but they work for now and in a few weeks I'll get some proper gates put up. Mara was unimpressed at first but she is liking it more, especially the early mornings I've had this week.
Tuesday, I graded potatoes for work. Lots of picking up and weighing baskets of potatoes. I really enjoy it because we also get to judge the potatoes. On my way home, I got a call from the shearer I'm working with, he had an opportunity to shear Wed morning, was I interested? Hell yes.
So Wed morning, I helped shear sheep! I sheared two small Icelandic sheep and then clipped the bellies of three other sheep. The belly cleanup was because they will lamb in January/February and by that time the fiber on the sheep will be really long and it can be difficult for the lambs to find udders. Didn't take too long and I can definitely see where I'm improving on equipment use and shearing. I can also see how to get better.
I moved furniture today for work. The office is moving and for some reason the basement office needed to be emptied soon so we pulled all the furniture out. My coworker wasn't going to move it to the new office but it was worth keeping so we put it in their garage.
Mara and I encountered turkeys on our evening walk today and Mara wanted to eat them so badly she was whining and barking and trying to bolt after them. We got through it okay but it must have been too much for her back legs because they were twitching after she calmed down. They've stopped twitching now and she's snoring.
I got tacos takeout for dinner and it was delicious. I'm also officially done with farm season 2022, no more trips to my parents for farm work. Good and bad. But definitely good for getting things done around here this weekend.
no subject
Date: 2022-10-29 12:40 am (UTC)That is a lot to get done!
Also, may your luck with estate sales long continue! that one is almost like free hydraulic jacks.
From over here, it seems odd that Mara has prey drive. Hopefully the turkeys will adjust their schedule a little.
no subject
Date: 2022-10-29 11:51 am (UTC)Mara has a very strong prey drive which I suspect is why she was turned into the rescue before I got her. Apparently common reason to turn farm dogs in is that they kill chickens and Mara definitely would if I let her. She's a decent hunter at least and enjoys eating mice.
no subject
Date: 2022-10-29 01:51 pm (UTC)That's what happened with my dog as a kid, so yeah. I can easily believe that.
It's more that I'd formed the impression that Mara mostly grumbles about going out in bad weather and any changes of quarters or lack of hot dogs. Hadn't realized she wanted to chase after small furry creatures.
no subject
Date: 2022-10-31 12:48 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2022-10-29 04:40 pm (UTC)I can't resist passing on the following:
My problem with most t-post fences is that the ends and corners (especially corners) cannot stand up to the pressure put on them by the fence wire, no matter how small a pressure it is. To brace up both ends and corners I have had really good experiences with http://wedgeloc.com/index.html Even though the components of this system aren't made of quite as sturdy a material as I'd like (that can be an advantage); I have several that were installed years ago and are holding up perfectly. One note: you will need quite long LIGHTWEIGHT posts as braces. Lightweight ones will fit in the end pieces and even more important you can bend them a little to get them in exactly the right place when you have pounded them in just a little off. Medium weight posts not so much.
no subject
Date: 2022-10-31 12:47 pm (UTC)