rachels.haven's Journal

[B&B Happy goats]

You know, if this wasn't such a serious topic... livestock guardian dog and all I'd wag my finger at the two of you as being pushers, not just enablers.

I understand, you are correct and I feel guilty.....but what a awesome chance ...... sorry.

 

[Senile_Texas_Aggie]

Miss @rachels.haven,

On the topic of fencing, have you ever used a tamping tool? I had never heard of such a tool until my brother-in-law visited and help me put up the fence at the front entrance. It really helped loosen up the soil for the post hole digger. Here is an example at Home Depot:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-69-in-Post-Hole-Digger-and-Tamping-Bar-34219/204168182

While it won't do anything for ledge or very large rocks, it can help dig out the smaller ones and make it a lot easier to use a post hole digger.

Senile Texas Aggie

 

[Bruce]

@CntryBoy777 has one of those. It would have been helpful when I was fencing. For tamping I used a 2x4. For trying to dig out rocks I used a number of things but non were as long as that so less leverage.

You know, if this wasn't such a serious topic... livestock guardian dog and all I'd wag my finger at the two of you as being pushers, not just enablers.

Maybe it's because I had one for 3 weeks and had to return him. If there weren't the sleep ( or not sleep I guess) issue, I'd let Rachel pass this dog up ... but not until I got the contact information I guess one can't really appreciate these animals until they have one.

 

[Senile_Texas_Aggie]

A few things I forgot to mention in my previous post. One, either Miss @Ridgetop or Miss @babsbag used a walk behind machine (seems like it was a Bobcat) that had a post hole digger attachment. (Maybe one of them will comment here.) Perhaps you could rent such a tool.

Also, Stoney Ridge Farmer on YouTube had several videos of installing fence. He went with steel posts and wire. The reason for using steel posts that is the steel is a lot stronger and will last a lot longer than wood posts. You can see one of his videos here:

Senile Texas Aggie

 

[rachels.haven]

Oh! Apparently I have a tamping tool in the barn. Didn't know what it was called, but I did figure it was for breaking rocks. Thought it was called a breaker bar. Previous occupant left all his yard equipment here. Still don't know what all of it is.

That is some lovely power equipment. Not sure it would fit through the trees here, but if I had the opportunity to rent it at the right time I would jump on it and try. I will keep my ears and eyes open.

Personally, I love pounded posts. When I was growing up in Iowa, I'm not sure if it was a myth or not, but people would say if you didn't pound in the post it would heave up. As a result, everything was pounded BUT the prairie has very few rocks. Living outside of Detroit I got to see a lot of heaved dug in (sometimes cemented) posts dug in 2.5-3 feet, and according to code. Nothing was allowed to be pounded as per goofy code. But again, different places, not here. Digging may work better here, not sure if cement will. I also like pounded posts because pounding posts makes me happy. I just have to wear ear protection here and be ready to hit them 25-30 times straight through sub-surface rock piles unlike by Detroit where it would take 5-8 strikes to get it in through sand, which would also dampen the sound. And the posts would not bend or have their heads split, even a little bit. Hitting a piece of metal until it goes several feet into the ground is something I find stress relieving.

 

[CntryBoy777]

If ya use a Tpost driver to drive posts it will be very difficult to split the post....they slide over the top of the post and the handles are on the opposite end, so ya can get momentum and gravity will add to your strength.....much safer and easier than hammering it in.....the tamp rod will bust things up, but most are like 16lbs and can both help and hurt ya....if ya have to raise it often it will wear ya down a bit.....but it really helps to cut thru thick roots or rock......

 

[rachels.haven]

That's what I use. I haven't tried wood posts, but this time I split the top of a few t posts. I really don't want to check and see how many. I think next time, I may see what I can do with the tamping/breaker bar when I start encountering resistance instead of just banging and banging. I'm not sure a wood post will go in.

DH said I can look into the girl Great Pyrenees. LGD's also tend to turn up on our local Craigslist quite often. There's a male GP up right now for annoying a neighbor with barking. There are also working lines maremma puppies available, and I've seen a couple other breeds. I'm going to get more info and proceed with caution. May still pass up this one if it doesn't feel right.

 

[B&B Happy goats]

 

[Bruce]

The reason for using steel posts that is the steel is a lot stronger and will last a lot longer than wood posts.

Yeah and the speciality machine to drive those posts is likely $$$$. Gonna cost him a fortune I think given he's only just started and has a mile of fence up. Plus you have to know how to weld since the braces are welded to the posts.

Still don't know what all of it is.

Line it up, take pictures, post pictures! We'd love to see if we know what it is.

May still pass up this one if it doesn't feel right.

We didn't say that because it goes without saying! Never go against your gut with an animal. Just like when you have a LGD you don't go against ITS gut with strangers. Somehow they smell bad intentions.

With the dog on CL, you'ld have to find out when the dog is barking. It is the annoying "any time anyone or anything walks by" barking or is it barking at night. The latter means the dog is doing his job which is what kept DW up. The former is a PITA dog you don't want. Merlin never once barked at people or cars going up the road. He would go to the fence and follow them, just in case, but never made a sound. In fact I don't think I heard him bark once during the day. And is the CL dog a working dog or a yard dog? One of the huge plusses with the female in question is that she is a working dog.

 

[rachels.haven]

BTW, I may later paint the split t-post tops, btw, but not today. I've had a sleep deprived week so my brain is foggy.

Wow, I didn't think about posting pictures of the mysterious lawn stuff here. I'll do that. That might make it so I can get rid of things I don't think we'll use or that I don't want to store, and use the stuff I can.

The CL dog's ad says he's a working dog. I'll get more info there too.