Latestarter's ramblings/musings/gripes and grumbles.

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AClark

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Aww, mower troubles suck. You know what I ended up doing with mine? I replaced the ignition switch and it still isn't getting power, but I can start it with a screw driver on the solenoid. I just fill the tank before I start it, crank it on, and don't shut it off until I'm done now. I know I can do my entire place on less than 1 tank, and if I have to "hot" fuel it, I will.
^ Redneck repair. I still have no idea why the ignition switch isn't working to crank it, but has to be in the on position for the mower to run. At least nobody can steal it, right?
 

AClark

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Well, you have to remove a plate to get at the solenoid, and for a mower that old, it's more work than it's worth, lol. Even then, you still have to have the keys even though the switch isn't working for it to fire. Weird thing. I'm no mower mechanic, think I'll stick to my diesel pickup.
 

Bruce

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Oh, I don't think I'd try to mow with the pickup!! Never gonna get a belly mower mounted on that thing. ;)
 

Latestarter

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I had been trimming branches on all the copses of trees in the back pasture that I need to mow around, to make the mowing easier. Tired of getting scraped/cut up while trying to dodge under or around the branches (many covered with thorn vines). So I'd only cut enough branches to keep the goats fed each day, then pull out the stripped branches and pile them outside the pen. So I've now created a burn pile that will need to be moved and eliminated somehow :confused: I've discovered that they like and will eat virtually any leaves provided, they will not eat silver maple (I think that's what it is) leaves, and their favorites (like they fight over access) is the sweet gum leaves. They like the various varieties of oak leaves I've provided as well.

So it's been an interesting span of days... I took a treat bucket out to catch up the big girls to put them out on some pasture. I watched them for a while to make sure they weren't going to get into any trouble then went in to wash some dishes and get a drink. In just those few minutes, my wild child went missing... Yup, April broke her collar and was not where she had been placed. So out I go with another bowl of treats to try and find her and lure her back into the dry lot. Successful at that but until I buy her a replacement (MUCH stronger) collar, she no longer gets fresh greenery outside the pen. I may go cut some branches after I finish this post. I have to feed Crunchy her afternoon bottle anyway. Then I'm gonna feed me. I made the makin's for Philly cheese steak subs again :drool:love

Then the other day, after returning Bang and Dot to the dry lot after several hours of grazing/browsing/resting, I noticed that Bang had developed a limp on her left front leg. She had been climbing in a huge pile of downed mostly rotted tree limbs that was overgrown with vines. I was concerned that she might have happened on a snake and got bit, or maybe a thorn, or a cut/scrape, so I went and looked her leg over thoroughly and found nothing... well nothing to cause the limp, so she must have just twisted it in her wanderings or something. However, I DID find that her hooves were nasty. :( I feel bad that I hadn't looked at them closer before now, but they were all walking normally and no indication (from looking at them casually) there was an issue.
The outside side walls were rolled under and the points were curled. Needless to say an immediate hoof trimming session was initiated. I also checked and did Dot's hooves. They weren't in the best shape either. April no longer has a collar, and I can't catch her, so she's gonna have to wait till I can get a new collar on her, and catch her, to check/trim her hooves... o_O

I don't have legit hoof trimming shears yet but do have (several) heavy duty industrial scissors that I used to use to cut fiberglass cloth/matting back in my previous job. So I grabbed the best pair and used them to trim the hooves. They worked, but probably not as well as legit shears would have. I will buy a pair next month (6 days from now) and do a hoof re-visit with all of them soon thereafter. Any personal recommendations on shear brands/models or where to purchase? After doing Dot and Bang, my right hand was barely functional. I wasn't able to use it most of yesterday. I can identify with the pain you describe @Southern by choice when trimming. I can use my hand a bit today but no strength to speak of. I so hope it's easier/better when using the legit shears. Truly sucks not being able to use my dominant hand/wrist. :hit I know there are others in much worse shape than me and suffering much more, so I have no real "right" to complain... Just gotta push through it and do what needs to be done.

The kids are doing great. CB and CM are getting weaned by Bang. She still lets them nurse, seems like 2-3 times a day, but not for very long. Her udder still fills but doesn't seem as large as it once was. The kids have to basically lay on their chests under her to be able to latch on and nurse. They're growing nicely. I'm still feeding CC 3 times a day with 20 oz bottles. She still doesn't completely drain all three, maybe one or rarely two, so I know she's getting enough. She's growing well also. She runs around with the other 2 and has no problem keeping up. She can't jump quite as high as the other 2, but it doesn't stop her from trying. She can still fit through the fence :somad and sometimes sleeps outside the fence under the tarp covering the hay and feed cans. It will be nice when she's finally too big to fit through and I don't have to worry so much about her being out.

Mel is doing great as well. He's still more a companion dog than an LGD but he does know there are goats, and that they are mine, and they should be looked after and NOT chased and "run at/charged". Bang still rears up at him if he gets too close sometimes but the goats have pretty much "accepted" him. Whenever he gets to barking, they all cluster and move toward where he is. Not sure if that isn't the reverse of what is desired, but then with only one LGD, it's probably better they be close to him than removed from him where a predator can pick them off. At least if they're near him, the predator won't be near them.

OK, time to go feed CC. Hope y'all are having a great Friday lead up to the Memorial Day weekend. Remember the meaning behind the holiday... to remember all those who made the ultimate sacrifice in support of this country. Thanks to them, and peace to their families and loved ones.
 

CntryBoy777

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Ya know, when they get to chomping on those sweet gum leaves it sounds like a kid sitting and eating potato chips by the handful....it just cracks me up every time I hear them. Something that will help ya with the hoof trimming is to do it after a good rain and the hooves will be a bit softer to trim. I use the regular green handled trimmers, but try to do it when they have been on wet ground for several hrs. It isn't difficult since it is only every 3-6mnths. Sorry to hear the hands and wrists are still bothering ya. Joyce found some braces that have helped her to subside the pain some, but aren't as restrictive as most are, she got them at WallyWorld but will have to ask her the name and at the very least get ya a pic of them.
As fast as those little ones grow, it won't be too long before CC will be too big to fit thru the fence. Since ya have the land there, I'd just make a burn pile close by where they are and burn them....no sense in loading and hauling and then unloading to burn, it would save some discomfort on the using of your hands and wrists. We have about 4-5 burn spots and when the limbs and branches fall we don't have far to tote them....once it makes a pile just light it up.
 

babsbag

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I had to trim Moonpie's hooves the other day and made her soak them first, they were so hard and thick I was thinking about a grinder. My general rule is trim in the fall after the first few rains and then trim in April before it starts to get dry. I didn't get to the April ones this year and now I am paying the price...one a day is about all I can do. I need some long handled trimmers for more leverage, or electric.
 

dejavoodoo114

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I never thought about doing it after a rain or dew! Generally that is one of the few things my DH does and he has no problems with it other than annoyance at kicking goats.. :lol::hide
 
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