Margali's Griffin Wood Ranch

[Margali]

We are hitting full summer here. The high is 101F for today and supposed to hit 108F on Wednesday. I am worried for the sheep. They have an autofill waterer and shade tree by night pen. I still don't have electricity at shed so no fans. They currently have free roam of the ranch so they could go wade in the pond if they feel like it or hide in copse of trees.

Would putting reflectix insulation around the water tote help at all? I have a partial roll left from trailer. Is there anything else to do? @Ridgetop @Baymule

 

[Baymule]

I stretched Silver tarps in both sheep pens. It adds more shade and it helps.
If you have plastic bowls, fill with water and freeze. Pop out ice blocks and put in their water. I wonder if they would lick an ice block? You could put one in a feed tub?

I’d be afraid of wrapping the tub, sheep might chew it. Is it in the open? What about T-posts and a tarp over it?

I have a pond, sheep never get in it.

I let the ewes and lambs out in the field in early morning with Sheba. Buford and Sentry are confined with Cooper and his girls. Then late afternoon I put them up and let Cooper, girls and dogs out.

ETA last week Tiny dropped twins in the heat of late afternoon, right in the beating down sun. Before she even cleaned them up, I moved them to a Quonset hut and put a half hog panel over the opening. Now she takes them in there.

 

[Ridgetop]

If you have shade they will find it. They will lay up in coolest area during heat of day and graze am and pm. Just make sure the water tub is either large and deep enough that the water won't heat up or keep it under cover where it is shaded. Check the water temperature and if the water gets warm, add ice. Freeze water in clean butter tubs, 5 quart ice cream buckets (with 3 kids you probably buy it that way and those plastic buckets make dandy grain holders too). If you have rabbits and freeze 2 liter bottles for their cages you can simply drop those frozen bottles into the water tubs late morning and removed them to refreeze at pm feeding.

 

[Margali]

Had a good evening. We went to services in person. I can't believe it's been 3 years!?! The littles were quiet drawing on tablet and listening to music. They had fun doing the blessing on grape juice and bread with other kids. Dominic was SO CUTE because he didn't understand but was mimicing the other kids.

When we got home, I hooked up the LED lights in sheep shed and did some work. I got hole for one 4x4 post dug and it roughly in place. Bruno was velcro dog because of people firing guns and tannerite.

 

[Baymule]

How nice to go to services!
One post hole, I know the ground is dry and concrete hard, so that’s an accomplishment.

 

[Mini Horses]

You're not only one who hasn't been "in person" in a while. I've enjoyed some of the local online preachers...NOT the big/known ones. Years in person, years! It's good to do when kids are to home to learn. Hubs and I often went to evening mass.

One pole is one pole!! I got three pounded yesterday, fence drug to location and hope to get it up this morning. Everything is an accomplishment! Be proud for every one you do.

 

[Margali]

Second cup of coffee this morning is over ice. It is already hot and humid. I got the second post in and gates reset under close supervision.

 

[SageHill]

Second cup of coffee this morning is over ice. It is already hot and humid. I got the second post in and gates reset under close supervision.
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WTG ! LOL by the time I get here you're finished! That time difference makes me feel like a slacker
LOVE the way you worked that chute - so smart!!

 

[Margali]

Second water break. Cooling down with Bruno.


I got a new sunshade strung up over the trampoline. Another sunshade is on hand for the big playground.

 

[Ridgetop]

We use our old 18' trampolines as shade covers for the sheep. Currently 2 are in use. I will disassemble the older one and bring it to Texas. It will have to either be secured in the ground or placed in a sheltered spot, but I am not leaving any usable items behind. The rubber bouncing floor is actually waterproof and I probably could secure tarps around the sides to make it more so in bad storms.