Bruce's Journal

[Bruce]

Got the west fence stretched and attached. Got the corral panel "modified" so it can be a gate. Still need to install the hardware on it and the post and get field fence over the gate so the chickens can't go through or under.

Got the cattle panels attached from the SW corner post to almost the northeast corner of the "jog" around the tree at the "riding ring". There is about an 8' gap. I have the panel that goes north from the SW corner of the "riding ring" up on its 3 posts. Need to figure out how best to join the panel that will fill the gap with that panel. Problem is, the 16' panel is about 3' too long AND it hit the post pretty much dead in the middle of 2 verticals. If it were field fence I could just tie it back on itself but no way am I going to attempt that with cattle panel "wire" given how much trouble it is to bend the 10 gauge top and bottom wires on the field fence. Perhaps I can bend it 90 degrees??

 

[Bruce]

A bit more progress today.

• Removed old fence posts (2 broke when I tried to pull them, rot. All others pulled with no tools) and railing on the east line up to the veg garden.
• Found the hog ring pliers and hog rings that I bought Saturday but couldn't find Sunday and used them to connect the corners of the cattle panels that make the jog around the tree on the south line.
• Got the cattle panel at the SE corner cut (around brace wire and floating brace post) and connected to the post.
• Got the S&G 4' fence wired around the post at that corner. I find the 10 gauge top and bottom wires a PITA to get tied around the post. All the T-posts for the east line are already installed, hopefully will stretch that section to the H-brace at the gate tomorrow.
• Attached the strike side of the 2 way gate latch installed in the east fence line, just need to get wire fencing over the corral panel gate to keep smaller animals like chickens inside.
• Installed the bolt hooks for the gate in the west line. That gate also needs fencing installed over it.

 

[frustratedearthmother]

Making progress!

 

[norseofcourse]

I get wore out reading your posts... you're getting an amazing amount of work done!

 

[Mike CHS]

So what do you do with all your spare time Bruce?

You are making some great progress and taking advantage of the cooler weather.

 

[NH homesteader]

Umm "cooler" meaning COLD! I will admit I have had a hard time adjusting this season and have been hibernating inside an awful lot

 

[Bruce]

Near (or below) freezing and wet isn't my idea of a good time to be working outside kneeling in the snow/dirt/mud @Mike CHS !

I was going to stretch the east fence line today but it was cold and rainy. The corral panel for the west line gate was already in the shop where I had cut off the connectors so I got field fence wired to that today. Drilled holes in the vertical ends of the panel, threaded them through and tied them back onto themselves on the strike side. Put the fence puller on the free end of the fencing, stretched it and attached it to the gate the same way on the hinge side. Have I ever mentioned that the 10 gauge top and bottom wire is a PITA to work with? My hands are complaining at me. A lot.

 

[Bruce]

Got the gate up on the west line today. I had managed to screw up measuring when I put in the bolt hooks the other day and had to reinstall them 3" lower before I could hang the gate. Then appointments and no more work for the day. The west line now needs only the hotwire. I ordered the charger and insulators, they should be here Monday. HOPEFULLY (!!!) I'll have the rest of the "hard" fencing up by then, weather permitting. I need to rearrange the existing 3 grounding rods since they are in a triangular shape no more than 2 or 3 feet from each other. A far cry from the 10' minimum suggested (required??).

 

[Mini Horses]

Found the hog ring pliers and hog rings that I bought Saturday but couldn't find Sunday and used them to connect the corners of the cattle panels that make the jog around the tree on the south line.

GOOD JOB!! I normally do not find such things until I've bought more and used them!

You are getting so much done. It's warmer here and I would love for you to come and rework some of my fence while you are "on a roll"

 

[Baymule]

Fencing in cold weather under the rocky circumstances you have is a series of small victories. Each post I read, I see a victory. Every day that you get something done on your fence is cause for celebration. If you just keep doing a little each day, weather and life in general permitting, then you will have a good fence before you know it.