Work in Progress
Well, we got a good start on the extra stalls today. We got them framed in and a few sideboards and stall dividers in. We also made a 4′ wide walkway between the rear exterior wall and the stall walls. That way we can feed all stalls easier and be somewhat protected from the elements. All we will have to do is walk down the isle and drop hay into the feeders. We will probably install some type of rear access doorways in that area to the stalls also.
We decided that since we were going to be out there all day, we decided to put the yearling in the round pen with Neche and see how they were going to get along. They did super all day. Then feeding time came along. I got the filly’s feed barrel and put hay in and walked it into the round pen. Neche went over and helped herself to the filly’s hay. That was cool also. Then I put hay in Neche’s barrel. She went right over to it and started to eat. I separated the barrels by a reasonable distance just in case.
All was fine till Neche finished her hay and went over to help Dakota with what she had left. Not exactly sure who started the fray that ensued, but ears were pinned, and rear feet were flying. It seemed that Neche was the one providing all the action, and Dakota was trying to eat and stay out of her way.
I gave Dakota a little extra hay and watched so Neche left her alone. Just a little bit after that I took Dakota out of round pen and put her in her pen and gave her a little more hay. Not real sure I am going to handle the feeding situation. None of them are ever late for a meal and it may cause some problems. I may have to close them in their individual stalls till they are done eating. Will see how it pans out when they have stalls to go to.
The next projects that have to get done prior to winter is running a waterline to the sheep and getting a frost free hydrant installed closer to the sheep. Its a real problem running a 100′ hose and having to drain it 2x a day to keep it from freezing and then that doesn’t always work. For this job we need a tractor with a back hoe. The line needs to be at least 36″ deep and we hit hard pan at about 12″ or less. Digging it with a shovel is way out of the question. Guess will have to ask our neighbor if he could help us out when he gets here.
Prior to getting that job done, we have to finish adding nest boxes to the hen house. They have 4 now, but we would like to work it so Mom can collect eggs from outside the hen house. They should start laying eggs sometime this month we hope.
We also have to work out a better shelter system for the sheep for winter. When we had 3 young and fairly small sheep, the shelter we had for them worked great. But now there will be 5, some lambs and a ram that need shelter and it needs to be redesigned.
Other than those projects, we are almost ready for winter.
Stay tuned for progress updates.
Cindy
