Quick and easy cattle panel hoola-hoop house

[Latestarter]

Hmmm wasn't saying save every sheep from a hail storm... Was saying save a lamb or set of lambs that will die without help due to some unusual/mitigating circumstances, that would have survived had those circumstances not been present. But I wouldn't leave the flock fenced into a pasture that was about to be flooded with 6 feet of water from a 1000 year flood. Need to apply a little common sense. Pretty sure I said "unnatural climatic conditions leading to imminent death..." a hail storm doesn't qualify under that description.

 

[Bruce]

Last week it crested over its banks. Last, our nice cozy and warm three walled shelter. As of tonight, I am shutting it down. No more mambie pambie's here!

We are raising Marine soldier quality sheep now...Hookah!
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Do the animals never use the shelter? If that is the case, OK down it comes. But if they do voluntarily use it?

I can't agree with "every lamb for itself" regardless of conditions. Putting in a little effort for an otherwise healthy newborn is a pretty far cry from "do anything and everything to keep it alive no matter the cost or the physical status of the animal". Wouldn't that go for the ewes as well? Have a lamb with a leg back, trouble coming out? Just let the ewe and lamb die, survival of the fittest? Surely that will guarantee a flock of ewes that only have lambs properly positioned every time right? I don't think so.

And as @Latestarter said, it is a pretty bad business plan if you let your "product" die day one simply because it needed a little warmth and protection from the weather in the first hours. In fact, other than those you keep for breeders, you don't need to be particularly concerned about how long term "Marine hearty" the ones headed for the table are, they will be around for less than a year. If a lamb has congenital issues that make it "weak" and unable to survive by itself you need to look at the ewe and ram, they are the ones that pass on the "weak" genetics.

 

[Baymule]

I think soarwitheagles is having a little fun with his Boot Camp for Sheep. With all the flood, mud, hail and general nastier than nasty weather, he needs to laugh about something.

 

[Latestarter]

Most of the time I'm too literal...

 

[soarwitheagles]

Baymule,

I am choosing to have fun during all these strange and unusual weather patterns...if not, I might be carted off immediately in a straight jacket to the funny farm. And that would not be any fun at all!

I am doing my best to both learn and maintain a good attitude during all these unusual occurrences...I would like to come out of these experiences as a better person....yes, more wise, more knowledgeable, more understanding, and more sweet. That sure beats coming out of this angry, bitter, mean, and feeling and looking older than I really am. I have met and even worked with negative, mean, angry, bitter people in the past and they always appear to be the most miserable of all other people on the planet. So I suppose attitude has an awful lot to do with how we "weather" different circumstances... So, my greatest goal is to choose a good attitude and come out of this better.

Bruce,

Last year, the animals began to use the three sided shed during every rain storm. They knew where it was, and headed to it during any significant rain. The hoop house is a strange story...not even one hoof print since it went up. Not sure why...

I have closed off the three sided shed this week because we have had so many storms that for the very first time ever, we smell the strong smell of ammonia...and it is nearly overwhelming. It never even smelled like ammonia in the past [we diligently cleaned it], but now the smell is extremely strong.

I purchased some PDZ and tried it for the first time ever...all to no avail. The smell is still overwhelming.

Everything is wet, wet, wet here...including the inside of the three sided shed. I believe the three sided shed became super wet due to wet animals continually going inside after becoming wet outside.

We built the hoop house on the opposite side of the property of the three sided shed because we have recently split our flock for the very first time. For now, I think we will simply let the sheep hangout without any shelter...and see how this pans out. The last few lambs have all been born in the rain, took their first few steps in the rain, slept in the rain, ate in the rain, in short, have done everything in the rain...last year, I wouldn't even dare think of doing this...I thought it was a recipe for total disaster...as in losing our entire flock.

Here we are, wet as can be, yet no pneumonia, no upper respiratory infections, no problems at all. This is all kind of an eye opener for me.

Special update: came home today and noticed our new born lamb is drinking from mama and looks healthy as can be. The lamb is no longer shaking and tonight I just saw the lamb laying down, side by side with mama, so I think mama is keeping her warm.

 

[soarwitheagles]

I have NEVER seen hail like that in CA. OMG those are huge. Those are the kind that damage cars. We didn't get any storms at all today in my area and I am ok with that.

I did find some bees, but not until the Almond bloom is done. It is the same person I got mine from last year. I haven't 100% committed to him yet unless you think that I should. What say you?

Babs,

I was finally able to inspect and examine all our hives late this afternoon. Totally shocking. Remember, we had hive lids blow off and remain off for 1.5 days during the worst part of the storm. Then, more lids blew off Sunday and I wasn't able to put them back on until Sunday night. So these bees got major rained on.

Results: I cannot see any damage or dead bees in any of the hives. I was convinced I had lost the majority of our hives...in fact, it was so painful, I didn't even want to look for a few days...too many things here went wrong.

I would still recommend you commit to purchase the bees from your seller from last year. Remember, I am still fairly new to this, and I am not sure how soon we can begin the splitting/grafting/queen rearing process. We must split before we sell any hives this year. If this pattern of rain continues, I think it may push everything back a few weeks or even months. Today was the first day the bees flew out of their hives in many, many days.

I plan on installing hook and clips as Greybeard mentioned on all lids to avoid this problem in the future.

Later this week, I will make 10-20 more swarm traps because weather permitting, swarm season begins here next week. Have you placed any swarm traps on your property? If not, why not give it a try?

 

[babsbag]

OK, I will contact the other seller and get two nucs from him. I am happy for you that your bees made it through that terrible storm. I use straps on mine, not so much for wind but because of raccoons. I figure it they tip them over and can't get the lid off I stand a chance. I was in Yuba City today and mustard was in bloom in many of the orchards and it made me think bees. I haven't tried a swarm trap but I should since I have a neighbor with about 10 hives. Do you use a lure and if so, where do you buy them?

 

[soarwitheagles]

OK, I will contact the other seller and get two nucs from him. I am happy for you that your bees made it through that terrible storm. I use straps on mine, not so much for wind but because of raccoons. I figure it they tip them over and can't get the lid off I stand a chance. I was in Yuba City today and mustard was in bloom in many of the orchards and it made me think bees. I haven't tried a swarm trap but I should since I have a neighbor with about 10 hives. Do you use a lure and if so, where do you buy them?

I really want you to be certain you have the bees you need. I can not guarantee bees at this time, simply because with all the rain, I am not sure when I can split.

I made swarm traps last year but did not set them out until May. We caught a good number of swarms. But some of the master beekeepers told me swarms in our area begin in Feb. They also informed me there is a massive 1000+ hive bee operation less than two miles from us. I have never seen it or even heard of it before. To be honest with you, I am setting swarm traps in the hope of catching feral bees. Last year my queens mated with feral drones I believe and the offspring have been absolutely incredible: super strong, phenomenal layers, and extremely good at hygiene with the mites. So I am leaning toward the scientific data that states localize bees will do better in our area rather than expensive specially bred bees from out of state...

Babs, if things do work out well here, I will still let you know and you can always add to your stock if you so desire.

Oh, and let's not forget...my bees can also swim!

PS For the swarm traps, I used old comb, placed in super old boxes that I painted on the outside only, hung 10 ft. up in eucalyptus trees. At first I used cheap Ebay swarm lure, and it worked really well. Then I switched to Swarm Commander and it also worked well. We also rubbed fresh lemon grass all over the inside of the box.

Hope this helps!

 

[babsbag]

Getting them down from that tree must have been fun. Did you rub lemon grass or lemon grass oil on the inside? Does it help to put them up high like that?

I have a friend that wants me to introduce her to keeping bees so maybe she can get a nuc from you if it all works out.

 

[soarwitheagles]

Getting them down from that tree must have been fun. Did you rub lemon grass or lemon grass oil on the inside? Does it help to put them up high like that?

I have a friend that wants me to introduce her to keeping bees so maybe she can get a nuc from you if it all works out.

We use a 10ft. ladder to put install the trap and take them down. We rub the lemon grass on the inside. Recommended height is 8-10 ft.

Will let you know later about the nucs!