SageHill Ranch Journal

[fuzzi]

Still doing the grazing thing when and while I can. Have to be a little more careful along the east side (where the avocado grove borders us) because the grove manager has two dogs with him when he's there - a Malinois (or Malinois mix and a pitbull pup). The Mal has already found a coyote slide and came through that to get to my dogs - thankfully nothing happened and the sheep were not out. Another time he charged the fence and scared the daylights out of puppy Sage - she has never been charged or scared until then .

Grazing down some of the growth next to the grove. Obi looking cute.
View attachment 117422

I just spotted Obi!

 

[Ridgetop]

Have you talked to the grove manager? If his dogs are attacking yur dogs, they will definitely go after your sheep.

 

[SageHill]

Have you talked to the grove manager? If his dogs are attacking yur dogs, they will definitely go after your sheep.

Not yet - he’s been too far away to get his attention. Though the dog while “joined” my dogs (Zo and Obi who were both non-reactive other than stand solid and sniff) I think if they had reacted badly / aggressively it would’ve been ugly. The best bet is to get rid of the coyote slides as I find them (adding fencing and a bit of apron style).

 

[Ridgetop]

Here is what we do for under fence holes and slides. Our property on the mountan had lots of them.

1. Get a roll of chain link fencing. 3 or 4' high would be enough and you would be able to handle the weight while working. When chain link is not stretched on posts it folds and drapes like fabric.
2. Measure out a 4' length. Don't try cutting it, just twist out one of the upright wires and it will "unscrew" itself out of the fabric leaving you with the smaller length you need.
3. Place the chain link on the ground sideways to how you would hng it on posts. It will drape like fabric.
4. Attach it to the fence about 12-18" above the ground an spread the rest out across the slide.
5. Cover the bottom of the chain ine with dirt and rocks.
6. Optional - Use the large hairpin shaped pins used to pin weed cloth to the ground to hold the chain link edges down.

Eventually grass and brush will grow through the chain link and secure it to the ground. If you do this each time you find a "slide" the coyotes won't be able to dig under the fence, and it won't wash out. My sons did this in the gully and on the steep slopes as washouts and slides appeared. Before we moved we did find the remains of 3 dead coyotes. The dogs brought the dessicated hides up to play with. LOL

 

[SageHill]

Here is what we do for under fence holes and slides. Our property on the mountan had lots of them.

1. Get a roll of chain link fencing. 3 or 4' high would be enough and you would be able to handle the weight while working. When chain link is not stretched on posts it folds and drapes like fabric.
2. Measure out a 4' length. Don't try cutting it, just twist out one of the upright wires and it will "unscrew" itself out of the fabric leaving you with the smaller length you need.
3. Place the chain link on the ground sideways to how you would hng it on posts. It will drape like fabric.
4. Attach it to the fence about 12-18" above the ground an spread the rest out across the slide.
5. Cover the bottom of the chain ine with dirt and rocks.
6. Optional - Use the large hairpin shaped pins used to pin weed cloth to the ground to hold the chain link edges down.

Eventually grass and brush will grow through the chain link and secure it to the ground. If you do this each time you find a "slide" the coyotes won't be able to dig under the fence, and it won't wash out. My sons did this in the gully and on the steep slopes as washouts and slides appeared. Before we moved we did find the remains of 3 dead coyotes. The dogs brought the dessicated hides up to play with. LOL

That's pretty close to what I've been doing. The only difference is I've been using 4 and 5 ft welded wire that is left over from the fencing projects we've had. I do love the thought how easily the chain link comes apart and how it drapes. I'll keep an eye out for chain link. Still have a lot of welded wire to work through, I do use a cable cutter to cut the size I need, way better than anything else I've tried.

 

[SageHill]

Doing some catch up here while the fog wetness dries up so I can get back to wee whacking.
My nephew just sent me a pic of one of his paintings - he does a lot of paintings of the fires and to me (of course I'm family) they are amazing. Growing up in CO he's seen a lot of devastating fires. Here is one of his paintings - it's 8ft tall....

So - looking at my feed bunks -- there are these holes on the ends -- are these so they can be bolted together??

And I hate the thistles you all have been dealing with - and yeah I work at getting rid of them, but it also seems like the ladies and lambs like at least the tender tippy tops! Who knew! I'll still keep the battle against them going but it seems I have a little help.

And - the kitchen garden is showing promise of future eats ....
Trombocino - the plant over wintered and is producing! ..

Zucchini looks like it won't be long because we all know - bling twice and it'll be 4 times it's size....

Peppers are starting to look good.. jalapenos (I think) ...

tomatoes Early Girls....

and finally figs .....

Still wet out there - more fog rolling about. Might not get to weed whacking. Oh my!

 

[Baymule]

Wow! Thats a huge picture! You are right, he is an amazing artist!

My middle granddaughter wants to be an artist. She takes art lessons. When I bought this place, I replaced 2 ceiling fans, but kept the blades for crafts. She took them and gave me one back for my birthday and Mother’s Day. I immediately recognized who it was and exclaimed, “you painted Frimplepants!”

We hung it on the wall. I need to post this on my journal! LOL

 

[SageHill]

Wow! Thats a huge picture! You are right, he is an amazing artist!

My middle granddaughter wants to be an artist. She takes art lessons. When I bought this place, I replaced 2 ceiling fans, but kept the blades for crafts. She took them and gave me one back for my birthday and Mother’s Day. I immediately recognized who it was and exclaimed, “you painted Frimplepants!”

We hung it on the wall. I need to post this on my journal! LOL

View attachment 118482

I LOVE it!!! She has talent that's awesome!