Henrietta23
Yard Farmer
So sorry this is happening!
We haven't put up our electric fence yet either.... same reasons! Go get it done then come back and tell me how easy it was??
FarmerDenise's journal - full on harvest time = busy, busy, busy
- Thread starter FarmerDenise
- Start date
So sorry this is happening!
We haven't put up our electric fence yet either.... same reasons! Go get it done then come back and tell me how easy it was??
Farmfresh
City Biddy
Do you girls need some moral support with your electric fences? Look no farther! I have been hooking up and using electric fence since I was probably about 9 years old. Nothing to it. Easy to hook up, easy to use, and really WON"T hurt that bad.
I have been shocked anyway you can think of INCLUDING high inside the leg on the inner thigh while the opposite foot was ankle deep in water!!!
(I used to hop over the wire instead of opening the gate!) Another time I was actually hooked up to the wire for a bit!!! I was pulling a downed wire around the insulator and my own Grandma Nettie plugged me in!!
It hurts a bit, but I guarantee no harm will befall you.
My hubby always touches the wire to see if it is working or not. (Of course he also strapped the electric dog training collar to his forearm, turned it on high and pressed the button when we first bought our collar. He told me he would never use something on the dog without first seeing how bad he might be hurting them.)
Once you get that electric fence up and working you will never go back. They work great!!
I have been shocked anyway you can think of INCLUDING high inside the leg on the inner thigh while the opposite foot was ankle deep in water!!!
(I used to hop over the wire instead of opening the gate!) Another time I was actually hooked up to the wire for a bit!!! I was pulling a downed wire around the insulator and my own Grandma Nettie plugged me in!! It hurts a bit, but I guarantee no harm will befall you.
My hubby always touches the wire to see if it is working or not. (Of course he also strapped the electric dog training collar to his forearm, turned it on high and pressed the button when we first bought our collar. He told me he would never use something on the dog without first seeing how bad he might be hurting them.)
Once you get that electric fence up and working you will never go back. They work great!!
Henrietta23
Yard Farmer
Farmfresh said:Do you girls need some moral support with your electric fences? Look no farther! I have been hooking up and using electric fence since I was probably about 9 years old. Nothing to it. Easy to hook up, easy to use, and really WON"T hurt that bad.
I have been shocked anyway you can think of INCLUDING high inside the leg on the inner thigh while the opposite foot was ankle deep in water!!!
It hurts a bit, but I guarantee no harm will befall you.
My hubby always touches the wire to see if it is working or not. (Of course he also strapped the electric dog training collar to his forearm, turned it on high and pressed the button when we first bought our collar. He told me he would never use something on the dog without first seeing how bad he might be hurting them.)
Once you get that electric fence up and working you will never go back. They work great!!
Thanks! I know it will be okay. I really do......It's largely a matter of time to do it, start to finish, here. Maybe Monday since DH is off from work.
lorihadams
Always doing laundry
What the h-e-double hockey sticks is wrong with the world today???
Tell them they are "pets" and not for farming purposes and maybe they'll let you keep them....sounds silly but it has worked for others in residential neighborhoods.
Sorry honey,
Tell them they are "pets" and not for farming purposes and maybe they'll let you keep them....sounds silly but it has worked for others in residential neighborhoods.
Sorry honey,
Henrietta23
Yard Farmer
I could be a in a situation similar if one of my neighbors decides to complain about the noise. My defense is going to be that DS is allergic to cows' milk and I can't afford to pay $9.49 a half gallon for goats' milk at the co-op!lorihadams said:What the h-e-double hockey sticks is wrong with the world today???
Tell them they are "pets" and not for farming purposes and maybe they'll let you keep them....sounds silly but it has worked for others in residential neighborhoods.
Sorry honey,
- Thread starter
- #726
FarmerDenise
Out to pasture
I just wrote a long post and went to TEG forum to add some pics and lost everything I wrote
We finally got the electric fence hooked up.
I got the temporary nettting from Premier. We had quite the time of it, trying to get it nice and tight, so it would'nt have any live wires touching the ground. We ended up driving in a metal post at one corner and tying the flimsy support post (provided) to a tree at another corner. I spent a good amount of time pulling all the weeds from under the fence, and fed those to the chickens.
We put a wooden post where the netting attaches to the existing chain link fence. We tied a bit of string to loop over the poles, so we could use it as a gate. Then we put up a second post to hold the charger. SO was lucky when he pounded in the ground rod, he didn't hit any rocks and it went in fairly easily. We used the long wire that was provided to attach the charger to the ground. We plugged everything in. We are using construction grade extension cords, even though they said not to use extension cords. It is the only way for us to get power to the back part of the field right now. We used the tester to test it and it showed it was live.
After a quick refreshing drink, we figured we better teach the dog about the new fence. I thought it only fair to test the fence out on me, before I making the dog touch it. So I gingerly and quickly put a finger on a live wire...nothing. I do it again, ...still nothing. I hold it...and barely feel a little buzz. We check, yes everything is plugged in. the light is blinking... We check for weeds touching, we remove dirt that might be touching a live wire... Nothing, I still don't get zapped.
Then the lightbulb went on in my head. I am wearing tennis shoes. I am insulated
I take my shoes off and touch the wire, OUCH!!! Yup it works
Now to get the dog, who has been sleeping under the plum tree. I toss a treat on the other side of the fence. She sort of goes after it, but backs off. So I go inside the enclosure and try to get her to come and get the treat. Finally she sticks her nose through the net and ...gives off a loud yelp!!!. Poor girl, we feel bad. And try it again.
She comes close, puts her tail between her legs, gives me a dirty look and slinks away. So we give her the treats for staying away from the fence.
Next we'll have to teach the goats. I am not looking forward to it, but they too have to learn what this fence is all about.
I am pleased that I got my 3rd quart of dehydrated little plums put away.
Here is a pick of our harvest one morning this past week.
Nothing went to waste: The plums got dehydrated, strawberries and rasberries were put into a smoothie along with some frozen blackberries from last summer. I also added homemade yogurt to the smoothie. I shelled the peas and dehydrated them. The ones that were too dry, I put on a tray to dry out further and save for next winter's seed. The pea pods, went into another tray on top of the rabbit house roof to dry. The rabbit loves these as a treat, as do the goats. The pea vines went to the rabbit, chickens and goats.
Yesterday we had the first of our potatoes for dinner, along with homegrown (although puny) cauliflower and a nice green salad.
I planted the cauliflower too late, but we were glad to have it. And the goats, chickens and rabbit all loved the parts of it, we didn't eat.
Flower and Blossom are still demanding their bottles. But I am hoping that once they get to roam and graze in the field, that they will fill up on the goodies that grow in there and will start to reject the bottle. We will still have to spend lots of time with them. I think a lot of their need for the bottle is for nurturing, not the food part. They are just so loving.
I hate that I have to fence my critters in or out. But if I didn't I would have poop all over the place and not very many vegies or fruit for myself, so we put up fencing. I just wish it were as easy to keep the rats out of things. I found a hole in the plastic fencing we put around the rasberries to keep the chickens, dog and goats out. It seems the rats chewed through it.
SO said he'd make dinner. So I'll have to think of something to contribute, or start tomorrow's dinner. I got some lentils cooked up. I wanted to make a lentil soup, but cannot find the recipe, that I wanted to make. So I'll see what else I can find.
We finally got the electric fence hooked up.
I got the temporary nettting from Premier. We had quite the time of it, trying to get it nice and tight, so it would'nt have any live wires touching the ground. We ended up driving in a metal post at one corner and tying the flimsy support post (provided) to a tree at another corner. I spent a good amount of time pulling all the weeds from under the fence, and fed those to the chickens.
We put a wooden post where the netting attaches to the existing chain link fence. We tied a bit of string to loop over the poles, so we could use it as a gate. Then we put up a second post to hold the charger. SO was lucky when he pounded in the ground rod, he didn't hit any rocks and it went in fairly easily. We used the long wire that was provided to attach the charger to the ground. We plugged everything in. We are using construction grade extension cords, even though they said not to use extension cords. It is the only way for us to get power to the back part of the field right now. We used the tester to test it and it showed it was live.
After a quick refreshing drink, we figured we better teach the dog about the new fence. I thought it only fair to test the fence out on me, before I making the dog touch it. So I gingerly and quickly put a finger on a live wire...nothing. I do it again, ...still nothing. I hold it...and barely feel a little buzz. We check, yes everything is plugged in. the light is blinking... We check for weeds touching, we remove dirt that might be touching a live wire... Nothing, I still don't get zapped.
Then the lightbulb went on in my head. I am wearing tennis shoes. I am insulated
I take my shoes off and touch the wire, OUCH!!! Yup it works
Now to get the dog, who has been sleeping under the plum tree. I toss a treat on the other side of the fence. She sort of goes after it, but backs off. So I go inside the enclosure and try to get her to come and get the treat. Finally she sticks her nose through the net and ...gives off a loud yelp!!!. Poor girl, we feel bad. And try it again.
She comes close, puts her tail between her legs, gives me a dirty look and slinks away. So we give her the treats for staying away from the fence.Next we'll have to teach the goats. I am not looking forward to it, but they too have to learn what this fence is all about.
I am pleased that I got my 3rd quart of dehydrated little plums put away.
Here is a pick of our harvest one morning this past week.
Nothing went to waste: The plums got dehydrated, strawberries and rasberries were put into a smoothie along with some frozen blackberries from last summer. I also added homemade yogurt to the smoothie. I shelled the peas and dehydrated them. The ones that were too dry, I put on a tray to dry out further and save for next winter's seed. The pea pods, went into another tray on top of the rabbit house roof to dry. The rabbit loves these as a treat, as do the goats. The pea vines went to the rabbit, chickens and goats.
Yesterday we had the first of our potatoes for dinner, along with homegrown (although puny) cauliflower and a nice green salad.
I planted the cauliflower too late, but we were glad to have it. And the goats, chickens and rabbit all loved the parts of it, we didn't eat.
Flower and Blossom are still demanding their bottles. But I am hoping that once they get to roam and graze in the field, that they will fill up on the goodies that grow in there and will start to reject the bottle. We will still have to spend lots of time with them. I think a lot of their need for the bottle is for nurturing, not the food part. They are just so loving.
I hate that I have to fence my critters in or out. But if I didn't I would have poop all over the place and not very many vegies or fruit for myself, so we put up fencing. I just wish it were as easy to keep the rats out of things. I found a hole in the plastic fencing we put around the rasberries to keep the chickens, dog and goats out. It seems the rats chewed through it.
SO said he'd make dinner. So I'll have to think of something to contribute, or start tomorrow's dinner. I got some lentils cooked up. I wanted to make a lentil soup, but cannot find the recipe, that I wanted to make. So I'll see what else I can find.
- Thread starter
- #727
FarmerDenise
Out to pasture
Blossom and Flower have learned to respect "the fence". They are spending more and more time in their field every day. Flower settles into browsing fairly quickly. Blossom is protesting and either baaa's or just lays herself down in the hay. She has not done a lot of browsing, unless I am in the field with them. I did spend about an hour this evening in there with them. After nibbling on the flowertops of the weeds and the peach tree leaves and the greens, they eventually tried to climb into my lap. My lap not being ample enough for two growing goats, they settled for laying next to me and chewing their cud.
Today was cloudy and cold for the most part. I brought the baby chicks out for only a few hours. I wore a sweatshirt most of the day.
We planted more of Baker Creek's GMO free corn today. 2 different kinds. I also planted some buckwheat, soft wheat, amaranth and milo. Just experimenting! My lentils, I planted earlier this week, are up. I have never grown lentils before. I understand it should really be planted at the same time as peas, but I was cooking some up and figured, I'd just throw some in the soil and see what happens.
I dug up the rest of the potatoes and was disappointed. There are some nice sized tubers, but not very many. I will start the potato bed over. I allowed the neighbor's renegade chicks to dig the potato bed up. I am not sure where they came through in the fence, but they were easy enough to catch in the evening and toss back over the fence At first we thought they were ours, after all we got some of our chicks from the neighbor from the same hatch. So we have quite a few that look alike. But then I counted mine and they were all in the chickens yard, that's how I knew that those 3 little strays belonged next door.
For dinner we had some left overs: left over green bean casserole (made with our own beans from last year, trying to clean out the freezer), blackberry pie, made with our own frozen berries and lots of them!!! a fresh salad with greens from the garden and lots of fresh ripe plums from the tree. We also had cheeseburgers with lots of garlic, the garlic coming from our garden of course. The dressing for the salad was made with home made wine vinegar and herbs from our garden.
I really need to make some tea for us to drink in the daytime. It would be a nice change from drinking plain water. We have both come to the conclusion that purchased juices are too sweet for us. Actually my homemade juices are very sweet too. I usually dilute them with lots of water.
Today was cloudy and cold for the most part. I brought the baby chicks out for only a few hours. I wore a sweatshirt most of the day.
We planted more of Baker Creek's GMO free corn today. 2 different kinds. I also planted some buckwheat, soft wheat, amaranth and milo. Just experimenting! My lentils, I planted earlier this week, are up. I have never grown lentils before. I understand it should really be planted at the same time as peas, but I was cooking some up and figured, I'd just throw some in the soil and see what happens.
I dug up the rest of the potatoes and was disappointed. There are some nice sized tubers, but not very many. I will start the potato bed over. I allowed the neighbor's renegade chicks to dig the potato bed up. I am not sure where they came through in the fence, but they were easy enough to catch in the evening and toss back over the fence
At first we thought they were ours, after all we got some of our chicks from the neighbor from the same hatch. So we have quite a few that look alike. But then I counted mine and they were all in the chickens yard, that's how I knew that those 3 little strays belonged next door.For dinner we had some left overs: left over green bean casserole (made with our own beans from last year, trying to clean out the freezer), blackberry pie, made with our own frozen berries and lots of them!!! a fresh salad with greens from the garden and lots of fresh ripe plums from the tree. We also had cheeseburgers with lots of garlic, the garlic coming from our garden of course. The dressing for the salad was made with home made wine vinegar and herbs from our garden.
I really need to make some tea for us to drink in the daytime. It would be a nice change from drinking plain water. We have both come to the conclusion that purchased juices are too sweet for us. Actually my homemade juices are very sweet too. I usually dilute them with lots of water.
TanksHill
Super Self-Sufficient
Good to hear the goaties are doing well. Sounds like thy would rather be back in the house though.
I bought some Baker Creek corn while I was there. I never got it planted though. One thing that I have growing is the ground cherries. I cant wait to see how they develop. Tons of flowers just now turning into fruit.
I wore a sweat shirt all day yesterday as well. I just can't believe how cold it is for July. This week we have woken up to drizzle in the morning and finish the day with a cold breeze from the ocean. I promised myself I would not complain. After watching the news about the east coast I almost feel guilty. Almost!!
Your dinner sounds great. I got my first canning done yesterday. Nectarine jam from my own tree. Now if I only had some veggies.
Have a great day!!
gina
I bought some Baker Creek corn while I was there. I never got it planted though. One thing that I have growing is the ground cherries. I cant wait to see how they develop. Tons of flowers just now turning into fruit.
I wore a sweat shirt all day yesterday as well. I just can't believe how cold it is for July. This week we have woken up to drizzle in the morning and finish the day with a cold breeze from the ocean. I promised myself I would not complain. After watching the news about the east coast I almost feel guilty. Almost!!
Your dinner sounds great. I got my first canning done yesterday. Nectarine jam from my own tree. Now if I only had some veggies.
Have a great day!!
gina
Farmfresh
City Biddy
Have you ever tried making Blackberry leaf tea? You mentioned that you have blackberries. I have done it a couple of times and it is really good. You just pick young leaves and dry them for the brew. I need to do it more often but find my self SO lazy.FarmerDenise said:
Recipe from Wild Edibles by Marian Van Atta
Blackberry Leaf Tea: 1 handful fresh green blackberry leaves. 2 cups water Honey for sweetening. Cook green leaves for about 10 minutes on simmer. Strain into cups and add honey.
I have also made teas from our different varieties of mint we have growing.
dragonlaurel
Improvising a more SS life
That blackberry tea tastes great, but make sure to dry the leaves before using, so you don't get nauseous. It gets rid of the bad chemical. I use blackberry tea when I have a migraine.
