Building Fences and Gates

Building Fences and Gates

School’s out for the summer and I have managed to borrow my grandson to help me with some farm chores. We are repairing and building fences and gates. Yea!

Project One- Back Pasture Gate

First job we tackled was replacing the rotted gate post to the pasture out back. I had been propping it up with an angled t-post for awhile and it was getting ridiculous. Every time I opened the gate to drive the truck through, I had to pick it up and carefully maneuver it around . We had a nice fat Cedar post waiting around just for this gate and the two of us got her done.

Some of the Fence Tools
Some of the Fence Tools

Of course, it was not a simple one step job. They never are. It was also a lesson in tools. First we had to clean up the fence line, digging out honeysuckle vines, pruning back the lilac bushes, limbing up the Leyland Cypress, and then we had to bundle all the brush up and drag it  to the burn pile.  Then we had to pry out old staples, and set the electric fence off to the side. Next, we dug the hole with the scissor type post hole diggers, set the new post in and tamped it down with the six foot tamping iron/ digging bar. Then we drilled two big holes- to screw the hinge pins into- with the half inch drill and a long extension cord. Finally we nailed up a board for bracing, re-stretched and stapled the woven wire to the post and hung the gate.

Long Handled Fence Stretcher
Long Handled Fence Stretcher

Oh, and then we added some insulators and replaced the electric fence attached to it. Whew. It’s gorgeous and the gate now swings freely on it’s hinges.

Rehung the 12 Foot Gate
Rehung the 12 Foot Gate

Project Two- Front Paddock Fence and Gate

Next for the little paddock fence out front, a corner of which is also the bee yard. This area was originally a cut flower garden and the fence consisted of two foot rabbit wire with a couple strands of smooth electric wire later added on top to keep the horse in.  The marauding herds of deer have since beaten it down. We had to first prune back a forsythia hedge to expose and then remove all the rusted wire. Jeff worked on that awhile and then my grandson finished it. It is kind of fitting that he is wearing his FFA (Future Farmers Of America) shirt while doing this work.

New Woven Wire
New Woven Wire

We set in eleven more fence posts ( Blayne did most of the work) and strung four foot high woven wire  for this paddock. There was already a working truck gate but I wanted a people gate by the bees, so we built a four foot wide wooden gate in the garage and brought it out when the wire was done.

Building the Bee Yard Gate
Building the Bee Yard Gate
Hanging the Bee Yard Gate
Hanging the Bee Yard Gate

The finished fence makes me happy. I love getting these projects crossed off the list. Some jobs require help, and this is one of them. I am appreciating my grandson and his willingness to work. Plus, he is getting experience with saws and drills and all sorts of fence building tools.

Project Three-Chicken House Again

In the interior of the barn there is a very sheltered area that expands the chicken space, especially useful in bad weather. It is handy to have when I need to separate different groups of chickens, and right now, with so many chickens, we need the extra room. The wall I used to have was thrown together from scraps and not very user friendly so I tore it down recently while I was cleaning the barn. Yesterday we  built a hinged people door and a chicken wire wall  and we will add some nest boxes and roosting poles tomorrow. Oh. And a swing for the chickens to play on. There is already a little chicken door that can join it to the main covered run.

New Inside Chicken Gated
New Inside Chicken Gated

I am having so much fun with all these projects. Eventually, I suppose I will be caught up and will have to find some paying work but I am trying not to think about that too much. For now, I am enjoying my grandson and my critters.

Pastured Chickens
Pastured Chickens

-Wendy lee, writing at edgewisewoods.com

2 thoughts on “Building Fences and Gates”

  1. Hi Wendy Lee,
    I’ve been reading your blog and I think I’ve read them all. A testament to your excellent writing – I couldn’t stop – and I did it all on my iPhone so now I’m a little bleary eyed. I loved reading about your beekeeping – so interesting. Everything you do on your farm – growing so much of your fruits & veggies, eggs and even maple syrup! You make it all sound fun and exciting and not so much a chore but a wonderful and joyous way of life. And I feel like I’ve been to New Zealand. You and Jeff are living the dream. Since I’ll probably never get there on my own I feel like I can still check it off my bucket list. Your descriptions and photos are fabulous. Reading about Tessie, Kate and Gretchen brought tears to my eyes. And your recollections of your growing up on Mimosa/Centennial lakes was touching. I remember your dad talking about those days so many times and sometimes we’d drive through the lakes and he’d point out places and reminisce. I wish he could read your stories – he’d be so proud and happy. I look forward to your next story. (You should print them all and put them into a book). My “comment” is turning into its own blog so I’ll stop now. Love to you and Jeff- -Jackie

    1. Thanks so much, Jackie. It is so good to hear from you and I really appreciate your comments. The photos would be a whole lot better on something bigger than you phone ! I wish dad could have read my stories ,too. At least my mom is still able.

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