Coffee's Ready, Come and Sit on the Porch

[farmerjan]

The ranchers and farmers that have a working relationship with a vet will not be in too a bad a position because if you use a vet infrequently, but still use one, then MOST of them will sell you or give you a script for the antibiotics that you would have routinely kept on hand anyway. So a once a year vet trip out for any significant work will keep the vet and the "law" happy.
NO OFFENSE to any one that is a small time "homesteader" type of farmer.... AND I DO NOT NECESSARILY AGREE WITH THESE NEW LAWS.... but this is in part due to people that don't really have a clue to what they are doing... and bring home animals that are sick and then "think they need a SHOT" and then don't follow up with any other treatment and the animal gets a little better then gets sick again.... it is what helps to develop the antibiotic resistance that we are seeing. It is just like the parent that takes little Johnny to the dr every time he gets a snifffle and INSISTS the dr give him an antibiotic when it won't really help them and then the next time and the next time they go and soon nothing works... and the "bugs" that survive and get spread from kid to kid get to where they do not get "touched" by any treatments.

In part this is some of what has prompted this... supposedly the antibiotic resistant bugs are causing the same resistance in people.... all that happy horse crap they talk about...
BUT, nearly every GOOD farmer and rancher does not routinely give shots "just in case".... it is too costly in many cases... and letting them build resistance is necessary to having a healthy herd down the road. Not saying to be neglectful.... but the "just in case" ones are the ones that have created alot of this problem because if an animal is sick... they will get a "little bit better" and the "bugs/germs" will mutate and then will not respond as well to the next shot so then they will be looking at something stronger... and the person does NOT FOLLOW the prescribed treatment PROTOCOL and give enough of the shots/treatment to fully kill all the bugs....
There is a reason that when a prescription is given, they tell you to take all the doses.... so there are no relapses....it works the same in animals...

The bad side to this is that good "homesteader type farmers" with small herds/flocks... will have to use a vet more often and that gets costly.... and until you have a good working relationship with a vet, they are NOT going to give you more than what you need for just this one animal.... because their license is also under scrutiny ..... It is also going to be a royal PITA for them because they don't have the time or the manpower to do all the BS paperwork that is going to be required... and their fees are going to go up because they are going to have to make more visits to farms and have more help in the offices.....

So, get a vet and get a working relationship with them. Bite the bullet and get a farm visit scheduled... let them do some routine work so that when you get a sick animal... you can call them and say I have this... can I come pick up xyz to use to treat it like we did the last time.... or something to that effect.
Establishing a relationship.... AND PAYING THE BILL in a timely manner.... will go a long way to them realizing you are a RESPONSIBLE and trustworthy farmer that is not just a "half-a$$ed" situation. You DO NOT have to have new and fancy.... but you need to have something that is neat enough to be workable... and CLEAN and a healthy place for the animals.
I am not talking about "no mud" or anything... they understand that the weather plays a part... it is a bit@h out on the farm when we have the crap weather we have had... but they want to see that you are trying to provide the animals with care and consideration for their health.
We have some bad fences, some bad gates and things tied up with baling string... but we make sure they have food and clean water in front of them... and we make sure that if we have to work with an animal... that the safety of the person doing the work and the animal has been well considered and all possibilities of injuries to either are mitigated if at all possible.... that will make a bigger impression than if you have fancy new gates and all perfect fences.... showing that you are taking care of them and trying to provide for them in the best way possible will make a vet more accepting that you are a serious animal owner and have the brains and common sense that they can provide you with the necessary drugs etc to treat an animal when you think it needs it....

 

[baymule]

Most of yesterday and this morning I got my sheep working equipment set up. I bought 6 hog panels and had one left over. I made a long race that included a hog panel spanning across the round bale set. I can easily take it down to set another round bale. It’s bowed outwards to give the ewes room to munch on hay. I set this up across the back of the ewe lot and Ringo’s lot, ending in a sorting gate.

I loaded it up, one piece at a time on my wagon.

It’s a dog’s life.

I got one guillotine gate up. Ewes were enjoying the hay.

I set T-posts to tie the gates and hog panels to. Bright blue hay twine is useful, durable and decorative too.

The sheep found the wagon and soon had blue hay string scattered, bit holes in the plastic bag holding the brass clamps that connect two panels, brass clamps courtesy of @Ridgetop. I reached for the ratchet and socket. Gone. I had just picked up hay string, even going out in the pasture to retrieve some that was tangled on a ewe. Sheba was trailing her, it just didn’t look right and Sheba was alerting me to it. Back to the wagon, found the wrachet!

I had to lay the pieces out to see how I could fit it all out to make it work. When it looked ok, I pounded T-posts and secured everything with lovely blue hay string. I put up 2 guilliotine gates, the stop gate and sorting gate. Those 4 pieces now cost $1,635. BJ and I bought them used for $500, when the new cost was $900. Almost doubled in cost now.

I got everything put up and tied together. There is a long race from first gate to the second gate, to go across the hay bale, and so I can get ALL of them in and closed up. Looks pretty good.

2-way sorting gate. The hog panel on the ground got T-posted and tied in place, plus another hog panel to the fence that makes a holding pen. The second panel is clipped and can be swung over to the fence out of the way when not in use.

The long race across the hay bale. That panel is removable so I can put in a new hay bale.

WE WANT IN!!!!!!!

I did kinda a squat/crawl through the gates, back and forth, showing ewes the way. Some caught on real quick, some didn’t. My new knee did real good with the abuse I heaped on it. It doesn’t even hurt.

I open their pen gate, it’s half a cow panel, and clip it to a hog panel leading to the first gate. They HAVE to walk all the way through to the sorting gate to get out on the pasture. By doing this a few days, it won’t be some strange sheep eating monster. I’ll be able to work them, take fecal samples, worm, give shots and trim feet. I’ll leave it up all the time and soon they will go in and out with no problem.

The sorting gate and holding pen will help me separate the young ewes going to Cooper, across the driveway.

 

[tortoise]

The ranchers and farmers that have a working relationship with a vet will not be in too a bad a position because if you use a vet infrequently, but still use one, then MOST of them will sell you or give you a script for the antibiotics that you would have routinely kept on hand anyway. So a once a year vet trip out for any significant work will keep the vet and the "law" happy.
NO OFFENSE to any one that is a small time "homesteader" type of farmer.... AND I DO NOT NECESSARILY AGREE WITH THESE NEW LAWS.... but this is in part due to people that don't really have a clue to what they are doing... and bring home animals that are sick and then "think they need a SHOT" and then don't follow up with any other treatment and the animal gets a little better then gets sick again.... it is what helps to develop the antibiotic resistance that we are seeing. It is just like the parent that takes little Johnny to the dr every time he gets a snifffle and INSISTS the dr give him an antibiotic when it won't really help them and then the next time and the next time they go and soon nothing works... and the "bugs" that survive and get spread from kid to kid get to where they do not get "touched" by any treatments.

In part this is some of what has prompted this... supposedly the antibiotic resistant bugs are causing the same resistance in people.... all that happy horse crap they talk about...
BUT, nearly every GOOD farmer and rancher does not routinely give shots "just in case".... it is too costly in many cases... and letting them build resistance is necessary to having a healthy herd down the road. Not saying to be neglectful.... but the "just in case" ones are the ones that have created alot of this problem because if an animal is sick... they will get a "little bit better" and the "bugs/germs" will mutate and then will not respond as well to the next shot so then they will be looking at something stronger... and the person does NOT FOLLOW the prescribed treatment PROTOCOL and give enough of the shots/treatment to fully kill all the bugs....
There is a reason that when a prescription is given, they tell you to take all the doses.... so there are no relapses....it works the same in animals...

The bad side to this is that good "homesteader type farmers" with small herds/flocks... will have to use a vet more often and that gets costly.... and until you have a good working relationship with a vet, they are NOT going to give you more than what you need for just this one animal.... because their license is also under scrutiny ..... It is also going to be a royal PITA for them because they don't have the time or the manpower to do all the BS paperwork that is going to be required... and their fees are going to go up because they are going to have to make more visits to farms and have more help in the offices.....

So, get a vet and get a working relationship with them. Bite the bullet and get a farm visit scheduled... let them do some routine work so that when you get a sick animal... you can call them and say I have this... can I come pick up xyz to use to treat it like we did the last time.... or something to that effect.
Establishing a relationship.... AND PAYING THE BILL in a timely manner.... will go a long way to them realizing you are a RESPONSIBLE and trustworthy farmer that is not just a "half-a$$ed" situation. You DO NOT have to have new and fancy.... but you need to have something that is neat enough to be workable... and CLEAN and a healthy place for the animals.
I am not talking about "no mud" or anything... they understand that the weather plays a part... it is a bit@h out on the farm when we have the crap weather we have had... but they want to see that you are trying to provide the animals with care and consideration for their health.
We have some bad fences, some bad gates and things tied up with baling string... but we make sure they have food and clean water in front of them... and we make sure that if we have to work with an animal... that the safety of the person doing the work and the animal has been well considered and all possibilities of injuries to either are mitigated if at all possible.... that will make a bigger impression than if you have fancy new gates and all perfect fences.... showing that you are taking care of them and trying to provide for them in the best way possible will make a vet more accepting that you are a serious animal owner and have the brains and common sense that they can provide you with the necessary drugs etc to treat an animal when you think it needs it....

All great wisdom and advice!

Tangent: Train your animals to load into a trailer, or a kennel/box in a truck. Hauling a sick animal into the vet clinic in more economical than a farm call for hobby farm and homesteaders.

Also, if you have a vet come out for a farm call, you must have your animal caught and confined before the vet arrives, and have a way to restrain it - like something sturdy to tie it to at a minimum. Seems obvious, but most people with a hobby farm don't. If you aren't prepared, you can expect to pay for the farm call, *and be refused service*, and have to pay for an extra person to accompany the vet on future farm calls.

Also, your vet can't work in your barn if she can't see! Hang some lightbulbs!

I've heard so many horror stories...

 

[tortoise]

Most of yesterday and this morning I got my sheep working equipment set up. I bought 6 hog panels and had one left over. I made a long race that included a hog panel spanning across the round bale set. I can easily take it down to set another round bale. It’s bowed outwards to give the ewes room to munch on hay. I set this up across the back of the ewe lot and Ringo’s lot, ending in a sorting gate.

I loaded it up, one piece at a time on my wagon.

It’s a dog’s life.

I got one guillotine gate up. Ewes were enjoying the hay.

I set T-posts to tie the gates and hog panels to. Bright blue hay twine is useful, durable and decorative too.

The sheep found the wagon and soon had blue hay string scattered, bit holes in the plastic bag holding the brass clamps that connect two panels, brass clamps courtesy of @Ridgetop. I reached for the ratchet and socket. Gone. I had just picked up hay string, even going out in the pasture to retrieve some that was tangled on a ewe. Sheba was trailing her, it just didn’t look right and Sheba was alerting me to it. Back to the wagon, found the wrachet!

I had to lay the pieces out to see how I could fit it all out to make it work. When it looked ok, I pounded T-posts and secured everything with lovely blue hay string. I put up 2 guilliotine gates, the stop gate and sorting gate. Those 4 pieces now cost $1,635. BJ and I bought them used for $500, when the new cost was $900. Almost doubled in cost now.

I got everything put up and tied together. There is a long race from first gate to the second gate, to go across the hay bale, and so I can get ALL of them in and closed up. Looks pretty good.

2-way sorting gate. The hog panel on the ground got T-posted and tied in place, plus another hog panel to the fence that makes a holding pen. The second panel is clipped and can be swung over to the fence out of the way when not in use.

The long race across the hay bale. That panel is removable so I can put in a new hay bale.

WE WANT IN!!!!!!!

I did kinda a squat/crawl through the gates, back and forth, showing ewes the way. Some caught on real quick, some didn’t. My new knee did real good with the abuse I heaped on it. It doesn’t even hurt.

I open their pen gate, it’s half a cow panel, and clip it to a hog panel leading to the first gate. They HAVE to walk all the way through to the sorting gate to get out on the pasture. By doing this a few days, it won’t be some strange sheep eating monster. I’ll be able to work them, take fecal samples, worm, give shots and trim feet. I’ll leave it up all the time and soon they will go in and out with no problem.

The sorting gate and holding pen will help me separate the young ewes going to Cooper, across the driveway.

Wow, @baymule that looks great! I'm delighted to hear your new knee is holding up! . Bet you are too!

 

[tortoise]

going on another hiatus,
a lot to focus on as @Mini Horses said the other day, time to focus folks

See you soon! I might need one too. I haven't been keeping up reading everyone's posts as it is, and January is a busy month for me. I'm not sure I can stay away. I have a couple times over the years but I miss y'all when I'm away!

 

[CrealCritter]

Christmas Eve night I taught my granddaughters how to play squares. Tonight one challenged me to a 8x8. She beat me, she's been practicing!

I asked her if she's been practicing? She replied; Yes even with my friends from school. Apparently squares is gaining popularity. Who knew a game we played in the 70's as children, would still be interesting today

Green J=Granddaughter=Won
Red P=Pawpaw=Lost

I enjoyed my day, I really hope you enjoyed your day!

Days in earth, sure are moving fast, simply flying by, aren't they? Maybe it's just me?

Jesus is Lord and Christ

 

[Hinotori]

Play with your dogs ears, paws, tail, and lips as a puppy. Makes it so much easier when the dog doesn't react aggressively to that. Also pick up and carry that puppy regularly. Makes picking up a large breed dog much easier if something happens. Mom complained I was babying the german shepherd as a puppy. It pays off now when I have to assist her into the truck because she cant make it. Lifting 80 pounds of struggling dog would be horrid

 

[Mini Horses]

The handling of all baby animals is important for being easy to handle when older. Imprinting large stock as newborns makes a huge difference!! Its amazing how that first few hours/days can teach them acceptance far later. I imprint all newborns here. Even if not then touched daily, when time comes to do so, they're annoyed but not frantic an calm down faster.

I'm not sure I can stay away. I have a couple times over the years but I miss y'all when I'm away!

. Yeah, it's a routine to check in. Part of my day. Especially since I'm not getting kids out the door to school! . Or rushing out myself much nowadays.

 

[flowerbug]

had one cup of very weak coffee (about 1/4 teaspoon of instant + 1/4 teaspoon of fake stuff that tastes like coffee but doesn't have any caffiene), one teaspoon of brown sugar, some creamer. for me it is like being on hyperdrive. zooming all morning so far. yes, this is why i don't drink coffee regularly. i just wanted to have something different for a change and something warm. time for breakfast...

 

[tortoise]

@flowerbug zoomies??