Fencing Party | Chickens in the Road

Apr
20

Hard to believe that it’s been just a few weeks shy of two years since these fence posts went in along the road in front of our farm.

That was back when our new farmhouse was still just a twinkle in my eye. It would be a year later before the house was built, and during construction and since then a lot of other business has taken the focus off completing the meadow bottom fencing project. (By the way, if you want to look back on the post where this fence began and my dreams about the farm this could one day be, you’ll see the phrase “chickens in the road” in there. It was later that same year that I redesigned my website and took on the name Chickens in the Road. I still don’t have chickens in the road–due to last year’s incubator shortfall–but we’re in the process of acquiring chickens en masse this year so I can free-range them and they will no doubt soon be in the road, on the porch, and coming out our ears.)

This weekend, completion of the fencing shifted into high gear.

52′s friend John and his whole family turned out to work. (Pictured above: John and his son, Johnny.) 52 directed the crew as gates and fencing went up on the first section of meadow bottom.

Eventually, the meadow bottom will be divided into three separate pastures with gates connecting each area for the sheep to be rotated. (I’m talking about the big sheep. Annabelle will be staying in the goat yard by the house. She will, however, be losing her blankie buddy as Coco will be put on duty with the sheep at night.) We’re fencing in the flat ground between the road and the creek, mostly fencing out the creek (for environmental reasons) except where we have to cross it. We have our well down there and can get water for the animals without the creek. In fact, we have a second well with water now. Remember the first well we drilled, the 240-foot dry hole? There’s water in that well now! (Not sure what happened, and maybe we will find that it’s dry in certain parts of the year, but it’s there if we want to use it when there’s water in it.)

I had my people hard on the job, too.

I knew I shouldn’t have brought him any lunch.

There he goes! He’s a worker bee!

Wait…. NOW there he goes.

With his iPod in his ears.

This concrete slab in the meadow will be fenced separately to be used for a pig pen. According to what we’ve been told, it was used in the past for that purpose. I see piglets! And bacon.

I’m having trouble with the thought of piglets and bacon. Piglets = cute. Bacon = frying pan. This will be the first time I’ve acquired an animal specifically for food. I’d better not let it talk to me. Or name it Wilbur.

John’s wife and even their daughter were working.

Molly’s a cute little thing. She’s Morgan’s age. Look at what a worker bee she is!

She could show the Princess a thing or two about work!

Princess arranged to be occupied for the entire day between a softball game and a birthday/slumber party. The Other One (Ross) was flipping burgers at McDonald’s.

I was pretty busy, too.

Waitaminute!

Somebody had to make all the food (look at that fresh-sliced homemade bread! and molasses cookies hot out of the oven! okay, I made those for Clover, but I let the worker bees have some, too), take all the lunch orders, fix all the sandwiches, and haul back and forth up and down the hill.

And take important pictures.

Still, they were kinda making me look bad, so I told them they had to quit that. I made them get in the car with me and go across the river and down the road……

…..to see Larry.

Larry has a really cheerful propane tank……

…..and across this creek…..

…..and up this hill…..

Larry has ramps.

Look! I’m a worker bee! I’m a worker bee!

We left with two bagfuls of ramps–one for us, one for them.

I’ll be cutting off the root ends and planting them on my hillside again. The ones I grew this year also came from Larry’s farm. That turned out good, so I might as well do it again. The more ramps, the merrier.

I think I’ll plant them somewhere convenient since trudging up Larry’s hill was a lot of work.

I truly deserve to kick back now in the heavily rampified aroma of my Jeep and observe the fencing bees from afar. The meadow bottom project has a long way to go.

I’m resting on my ~~laurels~~ ramps. I might even drive up the hill and get me a glass of wine.

What? WHAT IS THIS?

Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!! I’m too dainty! I’m not made for work! Who wants a cookie? I CAN GO GET COOKIES!!!

Help.

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27 Responses
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4-20
4:19
am

Things are REALLY coming together arnt they! So glad that life is turning into just what you wanted!!! and the ramps,wish I could get me some!!!!

Heidi

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4-20
4:28
am

I popped over from Twisted Fencepost’s blog when I saw the name, Chickens in the Road, and it brought back lots of memories for me and my lifetime experience with chickens from Sears and Roebuck during World War II. LOL

I enjoyed your struggle with the fence and your photography.

Abraham Lincoln

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4-20
5:18
am

Looks like you got a lot accomplished at your fencing party.
We need to have a fencing party here. If we can ever get our tractor fixed. Got a whole pasture that our horses are dying to graze in.

Fencepost

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4-20
5:23
am

I love that you got so much help to finish that fence. What do your workers think about you takeing so many pictures of them. lol. Love Larry. Larry would fit in around where I live. Most men in my area have the appearence of Larry. I live around a bunch of farmers. I get my daily dose of cows, geese, chickens every day as I go into work. The neighbor boy has goats he is raising for 4H. Its great fun to watch them grow and see how he will do at the fair.

Anyways its nice to see your dream come true. So when are the pigs comming??? I know you are out looking at them, reading up on them. Mmmm bacon. Just name them all bacon. It will make eating them much easier.

Diane

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4-20
5:44
am

You go girl: Crack that whip and get everyone else to move!

Oh do get at least one pig for bacon and ham! MMMmmm! I am so glad things are getting together for your little farm.

Annabelle will be safe by herself? Won’t that attract predator animals up around the house????!!! Of course we don’t want to see her getting dirty, but she might be lunch for a coyote!

monica

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4-20
5:57
am

You are a very hard worker bee…just look at how dirty your farm girl boots are!! Oh wait. (just kidding!)

Kris7
Working hard at http://www.sccworlds.com

Kris7

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4-20
5:58
am

Annabelle won’t be by herself. She’ll be with the goats. She can either come on the porch at night or go in the goat house, so it’s wisest to put Coco down with the sheep than up here as the animals up here are pretty safe as it is even without Coco. We need more dogs, though!

Suzanne McMinn

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4-20
6:03
am

I think subconsciously I’m moving my life in the direction yours has taken w/ regards to the farm. I lost my job a few months ago and have been trying to get a job near house2 (a 1915 farmhouse w/ a barn and 10 wooded acres). If I succeed, I have been tossing around getting more chickens-layers and meaty ones to butcher and sell;a couple of sheep (I was turned on to lamb chops recently), a pig and maybe a steer. I’d have plenty of meat (oh no, more freezers will be needed!) This means I would have to resurrect the old fences that are on the property, and find an outlet for the free-range meat/poultry. Maybe I should just concentrate on getting that job first.

Lisa

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4-20
6:17
am

I wish I could’ve come to your fencing party.

shirley

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4-20
6:25
am

Goodness, I am so in love with your property!

Kate

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4-20
7:08
am

Awesome fence-building party! How nice of your friends to help with that hard job!! Is that a witch hazel tree in the pic?? Have a great day!!

MARY

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4-20
7:12
am

Look at it this way. Next year, when you are showing guests around your perfect Eden, you can stop at a fence post and explain that this very post is where you broke a nail! And, this post was so tough you had to hammer a staple in for over a minute! And, this post was perfect, so you gave it a name.

Not that I would ever do that.

Kathryn

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4-20
7:38
am

I just found your blog and am enjoying it so much. We just began
our little homestead adventure here in Maine…. our first batch of
chicks arrive in two weeks and we spent the weekend building our coop.

Your photographs are amazing and the progress you have made is too!

tara

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4-20
8:43
am

Suzanne….those boot look way to clean to be worker bee boots.

Bev

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4-20
9:07
am

Your farm life is just one never-ending adventure! I’m surprised Annabelle didn’t try to help everyone dig posts. As for eating your pigs, one of your commenters had the right idea – name them Bacon, Ham, Pork Roast, etc. and you might not have too much trouble.

I could almost picture myself sitting back with you, enjoying the worker bees and flowers!!!

Nancy in Atlanta

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4-20
10:06
am

Ppeople used to barter for help…you help me & I will help you. Most guys will help if you offer them food.

Mim

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4-20
10:31
am

I an so very, very impressed with that you have been able to do and all the wonderful people who have helped you realizre a dream of having a farnm in WV. You are definately living my dream. I can hardly wait until the pigs come.

Wammy

Flag this comment
4-20
11:14
am

Suzanne, I had to laugh when I saw your SUV and your leg hanging out the window, in another picture. My thought was “well, that does it, we could never live in the Country”. Why?

My husband is ANAL about everything being spic and span. Yes, I am talking Felix Unger. If there is even a SPOT on his car…spic and span inside too, so if I were to hang my leg out like that, he’d coronary. Same with inside our house. So, could you just imagine HIM with the mud on his SUV??? LOL LOL LOL He is very serious/no nonsense 90 percent of the time…and 10 percent hilarious, when around people/group.

Now, I do appreciate all his hard work, doing most of the housework, keeping all clean….but sometimes it can be annoying too. I am a clutter bug.

Donna

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4-20
1:50
pm

I’m not sure I believe you will raise a pig for bacon. You have a name for your animals. You can’t eat an animal with a name!

Estella

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4-20
3:00
pm

I loved how the pictures went with your post…loved the ones of the little dainty flowers (violets? pansies?) the most!!
And wow, does the food look scrumptous! (Let me know what time dinner is, so that I am not late!)

The Retirement Chronicles

The Retired One

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4-20
4:45
pm

I agree with Estella – how can you eat something with a name – and how are you not going to name them if you are involved with them? Love all the pics and who says feeding everyone isn’t hard work!

catslady

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4-20
6:30
pm

Wow, it’s amazing the difference in climate one state away can make. Here in VA Beach, all the trees already have their leaves, & the azalias are in full bloom. It looks like the trees in WV are just starting to bud.

Cathy the Doggy Mom

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4-20
10:44
pm

You will know you have made the transition from having pets to being a FARMER when you pick up that cute bunny, feel how big he is and think; “man, he’s gotten too big, I can’t fry him, I’ll have to roast this one.” btdt (been there, done that)

Darlene

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4-20
11:56
pm

Hee hee, I would have come been a worker bee for a meal like that! I don’t think I could raise a piglet then eat it….even if I didn’t name it. I’m not a vegetarian yet, but sometimes I’m wondering….

Pony Girl Rides Again

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4-21
12:19
am

Okay, I have to ask, what is a ramp? I’m thinking, ramps, ramps? She is going to drive on a ramp…oh, it’s a plant! What kind of plant?

I chased a stupid buffalo by the name of *Larry* all afternoon. I was so tired, Larry is lucky he isn’t going on the grill tomorrow night! (name or no name, it was not a pretty picture….really!)

Before buffalo chasing, we had to splint one of the baby goats’ legs. He is only about 5 weeks old. It was a clean break and should heal fine.

Between milking, homeschooling, feeding this crew and chasing buffalo, I am wondering….city dwellers must have a pretty cushy life?!

Cheryl

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4-21
9:13
am

No naming the bacon! Must have bacon and chops to survive life!
Everyone working together looks like a great life and some wonderful memories! Any fencing projects next year? I’d be happy to volunteer not only myself, but a youngster or two to help! Just as long as I get to partake some of that wonderful spread on the table.

SarahGrace

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4-23
2:51
pm

Your post reminded me of one by Alan Roberts at Roberts Roost about wet pastures and liver flukes killing his goats. Hope your new pasture is not going to be wet and hurt the animals. I don’t know about such things, but if you would like to read his post about it here is the link.
http://www.robertsroostecofarm.com/2009/01/now-back-to-our-regularly-scheduled.html I surely do enjoy your blog!

Barbee'

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