Phase One of Fence COMPLETED!!!

We finally got our animals in their new fence area. I can't tell you how happy and thankful that I am. This was the very first part of Michael's fence vision for our farm. He has spent much time thinking and planning out how he wants our farm to be laid out to make it work the best for us. We own 17 acres of land. We use about 1/4 of that and the rest was covered in trees. Our plan is to have the trees removed, which is still being worked on, and then we will have the entire 17 acres for our animals. (Just a side note, the trees were badly damaged due to pine beetles or we would have made other plans). This first phase of fence is only about a 1/4 of an acre. When all is said and done, this is the spot that will house one of our two rams. He will have the entire 1/4 of an acre to himself. However for now, we will use this 1/4 of an acre for all 29 sheep and lambs. Don't even ask me when the next section of fence is to be started. I can't even think about that! I know it will have to be started soon.



I told you that Michael needed to do a full post about the fence...you know one of those technical posts that I am not very good at. It would include real terms other than "round thingy". Here is my rendition of the sheep fence. It is a 7 strand high tensil electiral fence. (Ain't nothing going through it and nothing coming into it)!

On each strand, Michael used a daisy wheel so that fence tension can be adjusted as needed. This will make maintenance of the fence much easier. It only takes a crescent wrench and a little bit of man power and the fence can be easily adjusted.

And here is the picture of the gift that is better than chocolates. It is a one sided gate latch. It cost $23 at Tractor Supply, and it is worth every penny!

He also took the time to bury the electrical wire under our gates. This means that we no longer have to hold a plastic piece with a hot electrical wire attached to it when we want to open the gates. The kids and I never did do well with that. He knew it was important to me that I could just walk out through the gate without having to touch electrical wire. He also knew that I love to pet the animals. He made two different wooden slat areas that we could pet the animals. There is no electric fence there so we and the animals won't get shocked when loving on them. These are all "small" things, but they make our farm experience so much more enjoyable. These are the things that 5 years ago I would have said would all be a waste of time or money. Not anymore. I was in 100% agreement on these little extras!

grace and peace,

julie