Building a Hobby Farm- from woods to eggs

[scgargoyle]

Here in FL, round posts are a lot cheaper than 4X4's. Make sure whatever you use is rated for soil contact, unless you want to keep re-doing them. I think you have to allow the power company access to that transformer, so I wouldn't fence it in. End posts and corner posts have a lot more stress on then than line posts. One method I've seen is to have a second post about 5-6' from the corner, then a diagonal from the top of the corner to the base of the next post, to take the strain of pulling on the wire. You might want to go up a size, both diameter and length, on your corners. Chain link is self supporting b/c of the top rail, but plain old farm fencing needs to be braced. Adding horizontal boards will help, too. You might want to consider doing them at the corners for now. You also need strong posts at the gate(s). Nothing more aggravating than a gate you have to drag open. As for height, well, some chickens can fly well, some can't. And if a chicken can get out, a predator can get in. I know you're probably talking about your 'free range' area, so as long as they know to come home before dark, it doesn't matter too much if they do get out. I doubt a foot of height difference will matter to a strong flier. BTW, you might want to invest in some kind of power stapler, or else another set of fingers and thumbs! I'm sure others with more fencing experience will chime in with suggestions.

 

[Rowdius]

Also if you are going to use wood posts for your gates, use the mounting hardware that goes all the way through the post and is secured by a nut on the other side, NOT the one that just screws into the posts.

The screw in type is cheaper, but will allow the gate to sag over time. The "all thread" bolt type is more secure, and if it starts to sag you can just tighten the nut. They were going for about $12 each at tractor supply.

Hmm, I tried to find a photo of what I am talking about, but I guess my googlefu is stronger than usual, because i was able to find a whole video! The hardware I am talking about is about two minutes into the video.
How To Install A Farm Gate (DIY & Home: DIY) and apparently the attached article for it, with step by step photos: Hang It Right

Oh, and the place is really looking good. Great work!

Edited to add: Found a pretty well laid out page on how to install corners on the same page. Explains it better than I could!
ProgressiveFarmer.com|Get it Done|John Deere|How-to Projects

 

[tony123]

scgargoyle, thanks for the input. I'll check on post prices. I like the appearance of round better. Will also use larger posts on corners and gates. And you're right about the height. A flyer will get out of anything, so I'll just stay with 48". Lots of good suggestions.

Rowdius, thanks for the video and photos. I like the looks of the hardware, and will make sure to get the better one. I'm not going to have a spot with a double gate like in the video. I'm going to use a 10' gate where the truck needs to get through. The rest will be a single 8' gate.

 

[Tororider]

Hey Tony, whats the deal? Not on the first page of posts? I can't believe nothing is going on at the farm.

 

[tony123]

Hey Toro. Not a darn thing going on at the farm. The whole lot of us has been down with the flu for nearly a week now. Today is my first "well" day since last Tuesday. It's been rough.

I did make it out to the local feed and seed store on Saturday and picked up some seed. I got spinach, beets, three types of onions, potatoes and carrots. All of these will be going in the ground the first week of March.

The PHDigger has come in. Tomorrow I have to go out to the trucking company and pick it up. Thats exciting!

You all know I've had lots of exposed dirt on a steep slope all through the wet winter. I'm having some erosion concerns. As soon as the weather allows, I've got to get some green stuff growing!

Still trying to find a source on wood chips for the road. I've called many of the tree companies and haven't come across any yet.

I should have some photos to post tomorrow of the PHD.

I've also really got to get into gear with the chicken tractor. Haven't started that yet. I changed plan a little, and now hope to get the chickens local, so that I don't have to get as many. I think starting off with about 6 will be enough to get my feet wet.

 

[tuolumne]

Tony, it is good to see someone enjoying their time outdoors with the children. I know ours have made our home building project a great joy. I browsed through this thread with interest last night. We too hope to get a small agricultural (educational) operation going when our new home is completed. Twins are great aren't they! Here's our crew enjoying the great outdoors! The boys found a snake (twins are 5 now and the other is 3). Our six year old is enjoying a dirtpile, and our smallest model is driving Papa's tractor.

 

[tony123]

toulomne, thanks so much for the post! Yes, they do make all the projects more fun. By the end of a day I'm ready to hang them, but each morning I can't get them out of bed soon enough.

Our boys are three now, so just a few years behind you.

Ours will have to get their Momma when they find a snake. Daddy can't deal with them.

Please continue to participate. I'd like to hear more about your property and plans for the "educational" garden. I'm sure you've got some ideas that I haven't thought of.

 

[tony123]

Here's a few photos of the Post Hole Digger. It's a Leinbach 7200jr with a 9" auger.

It took about an hour to get the thing together and on the tractor. I hope it goes quicker to unmount and mount. It's so awkward.

I haven't done any holes yet, but hope to this weekend!

 

[Gizmo36]

Tony you have been busy.

 

[tuolumne]

Tony - Here is our property; a slightly different climate than South Carolina. We are situated on the eastern slope of the Taconic Mountains, looking east at the Green Mountains.

With a different climate, we'll probably have slightly different goals! I've cleared about 1-1/2 acres so far using the tractor with a pto chipper. We intend to till several acres for a vegetable garden. Permanent plantings will include fruit trees and raspberries. Many varieties of apple trees are suited to our climate, and there are some cold hardy everbearing raspberries that should do well. We just moved to VT from CT, so we are still adjusting to new neighbors, new situations and new weather. So day I hope to have time to get a record of our project layed out somewhere on this forum. Right now I am too busy to keep up with it! I will be learning right along with the kids! We hope to raise dairy goats, beef cows, chickens, pigs, and perhaps a dairy cow in the coming years. Our children will all be homeschooled, so we'll have lots of time to learn together. Just watch how much work those twins of yours will get done in a few years! Right now my boys (and girl) bring in all the firewood we need - 3 cords so far, and that in tiny wheelbarrows or their sleds. Little ones sure have the grit to get-r-done. Enjoy them!

Edit: I don't have a post hole digger now, but in the past I would store it in a hole drilled in some well draining loam. That made the hook up a lot easier. Of course, yours looks pretty shiny still!