Sunday, April 3, 2011

Fixing the $%^&#@ fences

It has been chaos -- absolute chaos -- here on Jurassic Farm during the last week. That's because with the advent of spring, the $%^&#@ cattle have been discovering new and creative ways to get through the fences onto the neighbor's land.

A typical sight. See the cows? Well guess what -- neither do I. But they're out there. Somewhere.


Oh there they are, the little turds. A good quarter-mile away. Chasing renegade calves is just what I wanted to do at 7 a.m.


Wheeeeee!


Almost home...


If it wasn't the Brat Pack (the yearling calves) getting out, it was Gimli the bull.


Get along, little doggie.


Right back through our nearly-nonexistent fence.


Okay okay, we'll work on the $%^&#@ fences.


See all the deceptively innocent and sparse looking vegetation on the ground near the base of where the fence line is? Well trust me, it was hell to get the wire to lie tight and flush against the poles with all those $%^&#@ bushes in the way. Oh how we longed for a battery-powered hedge trimmer!


For the record, there's something about working on fences that invites the worst possible weather. Over the couple days we worked, it rained, hailed, sleeted, snowed, and blew.


Remind me again about the simple joys of country living?

9 comments:

  1. Has Polly joined the Brat Pack yet, of is she still in training?

    Hope things calm down soon. Happy spring.

    Terry
    Florida

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  2. I'm sorry I've chased those little monsters and repaired the fence as well. I can giggle it's on you. Yeah all you you yuppies want to grow a farm and raise critters. This is a kinda nice reality.
    Your critters will bust the fence and always go into the yard of the least understanding neighbor. Think of Lot and Noah the stuff he put up with and gather the critters in.

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  3. How about a small chain saw. I see your problem, I have the same problem but only about 10% of yours, because every time we fix fence we trim the brush around where the wire will go. We only have to use a machete and loppers. Those roots are also a bear if you have to dig post holes or even driving metal posts. Good Luck it looks like you have some work ahead of you.

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  4. There are professional-grade power brush trimmers that will whack the brush and get 'er done in no time.

    http://www.stihlusa.com/trimmers/brush-clear.html

    Spend the extra money to get a good one or you will be cussing it as you cuss the jail-breaking cows. :)

    Anonymous Patriot
    USA

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  5. Yikes, those fences look like a chore. I'm working on mine but don't have any large livestock, yet...

    Jane in Alaska

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  6. May I recommend a good herding dog? :) A cattle dog sure would save you a whole lot of pain. An already well trained one might cost you some, but perhaps it would be another good tangible investment. :)

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  7. You need a good six row barbed wire fence with 6' posts, & some strong corner posts 4' in the ground. Thats what most farmers & ranchers in Oklahoma use. That hog wire isn't sturdy enough unless you put a couple of rows of barbed wire on top to deter the critters from pushing the fence down. But that is alot of money to do that.

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  8. When things like that happen around here...while we don't have cows, a homestead always has one issue or another it seems...my wonderful hubby reminds me that I'm "Living my dream!" Gotta love him! :)

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  9. If I were to write my memoirs it would be titled Dog Fences. My Great Dane and her loyal partner in crime our terrier have been harassing the neighbors sheep late at night. Not good! I have two fences to keep the chickens and dogs apart. And a gates to keep everyone off the patio. I want cows and pigs but my fences aren't ready yet. Soon they will be up for pigs to break down and run amok.

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