Baymule
Herd Master
Yay for rain!!! 
What will you with the free dirt from next door?
What will you with the free dirt from next door?
SageHill Ranch Journal
- Thread starter SageHill
- Start date
- Thread starter
- #662
SageHill
Herd Master
Used it to fill in some low spots where the tractor and utv go through a gate near the road. And some big flower pots. Still extra to spare.Yay for rain!!!
What will you with the free dirt from next door?
Mini Horses
Herd Master
Free dirt AND free delivery 
. Cool!
. Cool!- Thread starter
- #664
SageHill
Herd Master
Today, about 3 weeks after the delivery of the contraption - aka Tilt-A-Whirl (a Lakeland Farm & Ranch Direct Spin Trim Chute). The sheep had their first tilt-a-whirl ride and pedicure. 
The two black sheep and the brown one did not need trimming - perfect little hoovies for them. Like that! The lambs got to be bait for their mamas . I did not order the optional pads for the chute - the lightest of my ewes is 144# and I had no trouble with her the chute worked well. If I'd wanted to do the lambs (last week weights 70-90#) I probably would have needed the pads. A. they did not need trimming and B. I could have easily used "the chair" for them.
I've spent the time since the chute was delivered getting the sheep used to it, first just being near it, then going through it, then going in and stopping with the headgate closed - though some got to try the headgate as I was trying to figure out what spacing would be needed. I also spent time playing around with it learning the parts and pieces. Not that there is a lot there because it's pretty simple, but more to learn the "don't try that" or "remember to _____" kind of things. The last thing I wanted was for something to go south and me fumbling around.
.
I have to say using the Tilt-A-Whirl was a huge SUCCESS !!!
Did I learn things - heck yes.
Did the sheep struggle, some did a little bit.
Was it easy to tilt them - yes.
Did anyone get hurt - nope.
Did the job get done - yup!
The biggest question - was it worth the expen$e - whole heartedly yes.
Weight range of the sheep in the chute today - 144-190#)
One of the ewes would not, for the life of her stick her head through the headgate. Arghhh. Push, shove, have Obi bark and nada nada nada, She, Silver, would not budge. SOOOOO - after a few minutes of trying I thought - smoosh her and control the head. So I did and it worked. Not thrilled that I had to do it that way - but if I couldn't get her to use the headgate this was my only option. She's a sweet ewe so I had that on my side. Note - I wouldn't try it this was with the ram, he's not particularly sweet
.
I did use a towel over their head to help calm them. I don't know that it really worked. Most of them managed to toss it off. I could probably use a clamp to secure it. I think in the future I'll just have it on hand and not use it on every sheep.
.
Silver lounging in the chute.
Here's a cut video (3:46) of the very first ewe who went for the Tilt-A-Whirl ride. The entire process was less than 14 minutes. That's start to stop in the uncut video.
The two black sheep and the brown one did not need trimming - perfect little hoovies for them. Like that! The lambs got to be bait for their mamas . I did not order the optional pads for the chute - the lightest of my ewes is 144# and I had no trouble with her the chute worked well. If I'd wanted to do the lambs (last week weights 70-90#) I probably would have needed the pads. A. they did not need trimming and B. I could have easily used "the chair" for them.I've spent the time since the chute was delivered getting the sheep used to it, first just being near it, then going through it, then going in and stopping with the headgate closed - though some got to try the headgate as I was trying to figure out what spacing would be needed. I also spent time playing around with it learning the parts and pieces. Not that there is a lot there because it's pretty simple, but more to learn the "don't try that" or "remember to _____" kind of things. The last thing I wanted was for something to go south and me fumbling around.
.
I have to say using the Tilt-A-Whirl was a huge SUCCESS !!!
Did I learn things - heck yes.
Did the sheep struggle, some did a little bit.
Was it easy to tilt them - yes.
Did anyone get hurt - nope.
Did the job get done - yup!
The biggest question - was it worth the expen$e - whole heartedly yes.
Weight range of the sheep in the chute today - 144-190#)
One of the ewes would not, for the life of her stick her head through the headgate. Arghhh. Push, shove, have Obi bark and nada nada nada, She, Silver, would not budge. SOOOOO - after a few minutes of trying I thought - smoosh her and control the head. So I did and it worked. Not thrilled that I had to do it that way - but if I couldn't get her to use the headgate this was my only option. She's a sweet ewe so I had that on my side. Note - I wouldn't try it this was with the ram, he's not particularly sweet
.I did use a towel over their head to help calm them. I don't know that it really worked. Most of them managed to toss it off. I could probably use a clamp to secure it. I think in the future I'll just have it on hand and not use it on every sheep.
.
Silver lounging in the chute.
Here's a cut video (3:46) of the very first ewe who went for the Tilt-A-Whirl ride. The entire process was less than 14 minutes. That's start to stop in the uncut video.
Baymule
Herd Master
Well done! 
I’m thinking a snug fitting face mask like a fly mask on a horse. Even though the towel was draped over her head, one side of her face wasn’t covered. You had to keep putting it back on her. Maybe a blind fold with Velcro straps?
I’m thinking a snug fitting face mask like a fly mask on a horse. Even though the towel was draped over her head, one side of her face wasn’t covered. You had to keep putting it back on her. Maybe a blind fold with Velcro straps?- Thread starter
- #666
SageHill
Herd Master
I'm thinking about that. It may be the way to go. On some I did tuck it under, but when they move it would fall. A mask type like you suggest would definitely stay put. Or they just get used to it. It'll be awhile before they need a ride on it. I'll still use it as just a chute though.Well done!
Mini Horses
Herd Master
Good job! Gotta say, silver look totally stressed in that pic! ready to nap maybe!! I can see where that would be excellent for these jobs -- making it a decent "one person" handling.
ready to nap maybe!! I can see where that would be excellent for these jobs -- making it a decent "one person" handling. 
Ridgetop
Herd Master
A cut off sleeve from an old sweatshirt or leg end of sweatpants would work. Sort of like the snoods show dog owners put on the heads of Afghans and Cockers to protect the ear hair when they eat. (When DH had an Afghan Hound that we were showing, we had to put it on before feeding her otherwise she could bite off the long hair on her ears and goodbye show dog coat!) If you don't have an old sweatshirt or sweatpants you can cut up, check the thrift store.
- Thread starter
- #669
SageHill
Herd Master
Love that idea. Thx! Cheap and easy.
