March 24, 2010

Progress (At Last) on the Goat Fence

We have had so much rain this winter, that we haven't been able to do much on the fencing for the goats. The ground has just been too muddy. Of course we've had the chickens to keep ourselves busy with, not to mention the house. We started the fence last September though, and considering the progress we've made (or haven't made), this project has seemed to hang over our heads like a rain cloud fixin' to burst.

Fortunately March has been a drier month. While waiting for the ground to dry out a bit, one thing we were able to do with our beautiful weather, was to trim off some large branches which overhang the field.

Heavy branches of oak for next winter's firewood.These will make good firewood for next winter and we figured it was better to take them down before the fence went up, rather than risk them being blown down onto the fence.

Yesterday, we got the t-posts into the ground, 90 of them.

A row of t-posts along the side of the garden.I measured and laid them out. Dan pounded them in with a post driver.

There is still some bracing to be done and a couple of gates to hang, not to mention the wire fencing itself. But at least we feel like we're making some progress on this project. At last.

Photos and text of Progress (At Last) on the Goat Fence copyright 


14 comments:

Theresa said...

Oh, that whole thing looks so familiar! Right now I'd give you my goats, come and get em, all 5 of them the little trouble makers.. They are into everything this spring. Roaming around much like pack of teenage girls at the mall. In fact, one might have even been smoking behind the barn....

Julie said...

The work never ends, but it is looking like so much is getting done.

bspinner said...

Looking good! What kind of goats are you getting?

Leigh said...

Oh Theresa, to have naughty goats, No thanks! Not guarantee the ones I end up with will be any better, but I'm hoping.

Julie, we just keep reminding ourselves that some things, like the fence are one time jobs. That helps.

Barb, it depends on whats available when we get them. There are lots of bucks around for sale, but I am not having a buck. I'm kind of partial to Toggenburgs, and Dan likes the look of the Alpines. Availablity will be key when we get down to it.

Leslie said...

Wow, 90 posts! Terrific progress. I know from personal experience how difficult it is to get those big projects done with one delay and another getting in the way. But it looks like you will be ready for the goats soon. Take care!

Benita said...

Now you can see what is going where. What kind of fence are you going to use?

Renee Nefe said...

glad you dried out and made some progress.

katrien said...

Ugh, fencing! We only had a little one to do but it took forever, and we still don't have gates. We'll need them though, since our neighbor is now letting her dog run loose, and I caught her (the dog, not the neighbor) digging in the veg beds today.
But, anyhoo, I rate fencing as highly as floor sanding.
Of course, in *your* case - I now realize - the fence will keep something great *in*, while mine just keeps something bad *out*.

Leigh said...

Leslie, it's true, The big projects rarely seem to have tangible progress. This is progress though! And it's a relief to have it so.

Benita, we'll probably go with 48" woven wire with a strand of barbed wire at the top. "Goat" fencing is just too expensive and field fencing isn't made to keep goats in. Hopefully, this will do.

Renee, unfortunately we've got more rain in the forecast! Wouldn't be so bad if it wasn't for needing to get the fence posts in the ground.

Katrien, I agree, fencing is pretty low on the project enjoyment list. This is definitely a "keeping in" fence, though I'm sure we'll keep a few unwanted things out as well!

Robin said...

That branch looks like a tree instead. Very cool that you are getting your fence worked on. I know that we need to work on ours some more but it's been to wet here. How soon will it be before you get your goats do you think?

Flower said...

Your fence should hold those goats in! We had to double fence but that was because we put the goats where the horses use to be. Any spot that offered an out...was an out!! We love our goats no matter what..almost! :)
You are doing such a good job...it's very encouraging to read!

Leigh said...

Robin, actually that branch was almost as big around as the main trunk. We've gotten some huge branches from our oaks.

Yes, fencing is a chore! Dan is really motivated now though, and if the weather stays good, hopes to have the fence complete by the end of the month. We still have to build a hay feeder, get watering trough, hay, straw, and the goats. Hopefully it won't be long!

Flower, thank you! We contemplated field fence with a hot wire, but in the end decided it wouldn't actually be cheaper. Hopefully we'll have well behaved goats, (ha!) It could happen. :)

Anonymous said...

Wondering if you've made any progress in finding your septic tank? I think I commented earlier that locating it before expending considerable effort and expense on a garden might be a good first step. We have a concrete collar on ours so that it is at ground level (with appropriate lid) and can always be found.--Sue in MA

Leigh said...

Sue, we've decided to have some septic folk come out and pump it out. We have a general idea of it's location, based on the direction all the drainage pipes in the crawl space are headed. We didn't' plant anything in that direction. We're just hoping they didn't put the carport over top of it. :o