Baymule
Herd Master
Vinegar will take the smoke smell out. Spray mist it, roll up the windows and let it sit in the sun. Then open it up and air it out.
Changing goals and speed
- Thread starter AClark
- Start date
- Thread starter
- #352
AClark
Loving the herd life
Thanks, I'll try that!
I used to have USAA for our auto but I found that Geico is cheaper by about $70 a month - they give better discounts for government employees.
We got the estimate back from Geico, since the other drivers fleet insurance didn't bother to call me back I had to file it on ours to get the truck fixed. Total cost is $4,850 - using salvage parts for the door, frame, and running board. Also estimated to take 20 days to fix, so we have the sweet rental until at least the end of the month.
We finally put up that 330' roll of fencing over the weekend. My oldest son and I managed to carry it (that thing is literally almost 400 lbs) but couldn't lift it into the back of my truck, so had to ramp it up in with 2x4's. DH unrolled it while we tacked it up, which took the better part of 3 hours, but we did get it done. It was essential to do because the goats could slip through our fence, and I couldn't plant the garden until they were secured, otherwise they'd eat anything that popped up!
I just did the horses West Nile vaccines and put Equi-spot on them on Friday - equi-spot works really really well. We've already found ticks on our dog and the human kids, but the horses don't have any. I also trimmed all 3 horses hooves yesterday and dewormed them all. The kids horse and DH's horse are jerks about doing their feet, they both lean and yank their feet. That's one thing my horse is great about, she picks them up for you and doesn't lean or anything. It took me maybe 20 minutes to do all 4 of hers, and over an hour and a half to do the other two. I did my horse last since she's good and I knew I was going to be tired by the time I got to the 3rd horse and I'm glad I did.
Belle has improved in leaps and bounds. I can touch her face without her freaking out now, even her mouth. She's starting to follow me and let me pet her in the field without running away too. Only took 2 months to slowly start gaining trust, but I think she and I are going to get along great.
I used to have USAA for our auto but I found that Geico is cheaper by about $70 a month - they give better discounts for government employees.
We got the estimate back from Geico, since the other drivers fleet insurance didn't bother to call me back I had to file it on ours to get the truck fixed. Total cost is $4,850 - using salvage parts for the door, frame, and running board. Also estimated to take 20 days to fix, so we have the sweet rental until at least the end of the month.
We finally put up that 330' roll of fencing over the weekend. My oldest son and I managed to carry it (that thing is literally almost 400 lbs) but couldn't lift it into the back of my truck, so had to ramp it up in with 2x4's. DH unrolled it while we tacked it up, which took the better part of 3 hours, but we did get it done. It was essential to do because the goats could slip through our fence, and I couldn't plant the garden until they were secured, otherwise they'd eat anything that popped up!
I just did the horses West Nile vaccines and put Equi-spot on them on Friday - equi-spot works really really well. We've already found ticks on our dog and the human kids, but the horses don't have any. I also trimmed all 3 horses hooves yesterday and dewormed them all. The kids horse and DH's horse are jerks about doing their feet, they both lean and yank their feet. That's one thing my horse is great about, she picks them up for you and doesn't lean or anything. It took me maybe 20 minutes to do all 4 of hers, and over an hour and a half to do the other two. I did my horse last since she's good and I knew I was going to be tired by the time I got to the 3rd horse and I'm glad I did.
Belle has improved in leaps and bounds. I can touch her face without her freaking out now, even her mouth. She's starting to follow me and let me pet her in the field without running away too. Only took 2 months to slowly start gaining trust, but I think she and I are going to get along great.
CntryBoy777
Herd Master
Sure sounds like ya are really busy, but the extra "Hands" sure do come in handy. I bet the quail and chicks are really growing too. There was never any doubt about Belle, just a matter of time with a wrangler like you involved...
- Thread starter
- #354
AClark
Loving the herd life
The quail are basically full grown, they'll be 8 weeks this weekend. I have a batch of the Texas A&M whites in the incubator now.
Chickens, I have some big ones. The white leghorn rooster is a character, he hops up to the top of their brooder and will sit on my lap while I'm in my office.
We'll be moving the quail outside sometime this week, waiting on a good sized pen for them. They are in the barn for right now and doing well - the 4 extra males are going to someone from work, since I'm keeping all the females and 2 of the males already. Kind of a trade for the feral pig they gave us.
No wrangling involved with Belle really, just takes a quiet and patient person and a willing attitude from the horse. My neighbors horse keeps escaping to come over and visit, we were watching on Friday from our porch since we were cleaning fish. They tried roping him and finally cornered him to catch him. I can catch him by walking up to him with the halter. It's all about approach.
Chickens, I have some big ones. The white leghorn rooster is a character, he hops up to the top of their brooder and will sit on my lap while I'm in my office.
We'll be moving the quail outside sometime this week, waiting on a good sized pen for them. They are in the barn for right now and doing well - the 4 extra males are going to someone from work, since I'm keeping all the females and 2 of the males already. Kind of a trade for the feral pig they gave us.
No wrangling involved with Belle really, just takes a quiet and patient person and a willing attitude from the horse. My neighbors horse keeps escaping to come over and visit, we were watching on Friday from our porch since we were cleaning fish. They tried roping him and finally cornered him to catch him. I can catch him by walking up to him with the halter. It's all about approach.
CntryBoy777
Herd Master
I wasn't thinking of the physicality of wrangling, but the art is knowing the animal and being able to work with it. That is what wrangling is about to me. I guess in my way, I was complimenting ya on your abilities to know and work with most any animal....
- Thread starter
- #356
AClark
Loving the herd life
Lol, I know what you mean. I "wrangle" the goats, because they are buttheads. They aren't afraid of me whatsoever, they just don't want to play "stupid human games". They also can't be bribed with food as easily as a horse can! It's a good thing they aren't nearly as big or as strong as a horse or I'd really have a problem.
Just a different mentality. The goats aren't nearly as curious as to what kind of interesting food stuff I might have in my pocket, whereas the horses have a need to investigate. I also haven't handled goats anywhere near as much as I have horses so there's a learning curve. I have learned that it is far easier to corner a goat in a small pen than to try to rope one, they are quick little suckers and can hop through a loop and escape easily!
Just a different mentality. The goats aren't nearly as curious as to what kind of interesting food stuff I might have in my pocket, whereas the horses have a need to investigate. I also haven't handled goats anywhere near as much as I have horses so there's a learning curve. I have learned that it is far easier to corner a goat in a small pen than to try to rope one, they are quick little suckers and can hop through a loop and escape easily!
NH homesteader
Herd Master
My husband grew up on a horse farm so he's had to learn how to handle goats too. When they escape, he can't get them to go back in. They follow me right in, and it makes him so mad! Haha! He's the hoof trimmer/shot giver, I'm the milker/food bringer. Kind of unfair splitting of duties but no wonder they like me better.
Have you tried BOSS with your goats? Mine are food obsessed, funny yours aren't so much.
Have you tried BOSS with your goats? Mine are food obsessed, funny yours aren't so much.
- Thread starter
- #358
AClark
Loving the herd life
Yeah, mine don't follow me, I herd them back in when they escape. Maybe that's it, I'm the shot giver/hoof trimmer too, but we both feed them. I tried the gentle approach and coaxing, but their hooves got so nasty it ended up with just mugging them to do it. Actually they weren't bad to do once I caught them, but they were obviously displeased. I do like that I can sit on the ground to do their hooves, rather than hunching over to do horses - a lot easier on the back! One of them just lays down like "I give up" and that's easier yet.
I really like the goats, they are comical, but a giant pain in the butt too. Betty was escaping and I'd find her on my deck eating the shrubs, she also ate the flowers out of my front yard and the ornamental grass.
I really like the goats, they are comical, but a giant pain in the butt too. Betty was escaping and I'd find her on my deck eating the shrubs, she also ate the flowers out of my front yard and the ornamental grass.
Baymule
Herd Master
It sounds like you are right where you need to be-smack dab in the middle of a bunch of animals and your family. Ain't it great?
Goats absolutely prefer your prized landscaping items over most any other edible... If you prize it, you can bet they will too! They are funny. Mine haven't escaped yet, but I know it's just a matter of time. I mean if a pig can escape the confinement I had it in, I'm sure the goats will have no problems either. I've only had mine a couple of days and they already come running to me any time I'm outside in hopes I'll have something tasty for them. The babies not so much yet... They aren't treat driven yet.
I've only had mine a couple of days and they already come running to me any time I'm outside in hopes I'll have something tasty for them. The babies not so much yet... They aren't treat driven yet.
