Making our way into the thicket.
And just in time - look how big the pigz are getting!
The bacon is getting big!
Most of our property is more like a thicket than anything else. Clearing a way thru the underbrush has been a lot of work but we got the field fence up this weekend.
See how we used a combination of tposts (those metal thingys) and trees to run the fence? This is an easy (and cheap) way to get a fence up.
We'll run the electric soon - this is how we ran it on the inside of the current pig area. See that its low on the inside of the field fence. This will keep the pigs from rooting under the fence and going on the lamb.
We'll use a combination of insulators attached to the trees and the plastic poles.
This is the enclosed area - we're calling it Pig-Topia. They'll have great shade, tons to eat, and a huge wallow.
We'll run the electric off the current line that encloses the goat and chicken yard. So we had to run a line of fence across the property. Technically this cuts off the pond from the main yard - but since Kai likes to take herself swimming.... we think its OK for now. We'll come up with a "goose gate" so OD and the rest of the flippity floppers can get down to the water to practice their naval maneuvers.
The beez are on the other side of the fence, but there will be a gate nearby for easy access.
Gradually we'll mow down the bramble and start planting pasture grass. We'll also be able to easily divide additional sections for smaller lots. For instance, we'll be able to put the turkeys in another lot and let them roam around.
The other good news is that the soil seems to be pretty good down here near the pig pasture. I'd love to get some pumpkins and sunflowers going down here.
That's the progress on the pig pasture. Hope that everyone has a great Monday!
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7 comments:
We basically surrounded our property with electric fence--to keep the dogs from the road mostly--and we ran quite a bit of insulated wire ont he ground where the gates and things are so we didn't cut off any parts of the property with the electric. Works great, except occasionally it might fray in the insulated part and need to be wrapped in electrical tape.
What an excellent way to create a new area for growing...let the pigs do the work. Those are going to be some very happy pigs.:)
Great reminder, Kristin, to always walk your fence line. So far we haven't fenced UNDER the gates - we string across and use a connector as a handle. But I've wanted to try the under ground method.
Hey Mr H - here we are online at the same time! Yep - using natures rototillers makes short work of these brambly areas. They are gonna be some hap-hap-happy pigs!
Much like what we did with our bacon. Did you know that there are insulators made to clip on t-posts? They'be worked really well for us.
Your piggles are going to have so much fun! (as long as they stay clear of that hotwire). :)
This looks great! We have been chopping and brush removing as well around here and I will have a fence post (ha ha) soon!
Pigtopia looks wonderful, just make sure you can get them out when the time comes.
I can't believe how much field fence and T-posts cost, throw in some gates and one can only barely afford to do a little at a time.
Let me know when you are ready for sheep, I may deliver next tear....
Hi Rae! Yep, I think we have some of those... we have a big box of fencing stuff. (I dont know what all or it is! The Big Man worked for a commercial fencing company for years so I just stand there and do what I'm told).
;-)
Hi CC! hee hee hee um.. its a one way trip to PigTopia for sure! We have a trolley um.. for the... er... "halves" when they are reason. I'm already pacing around thinkin' about the bacon. Whoot!
And yes, its totally expensive which is why it has taken us this long, can you believe it? We figure out that Lowes has a cheaper (but lighter weight) field fence but TSC is closer. TSC's higher cost is about what the gas would cost. Sheesh!
But - you can get a LOT done little by little. Its a good rule for life. Slow and steady, baby. And bring out the sheep! You know I actively covet my neighbor's sheep....
Gosh, your forest looks a lot like mine. Are you using 48" fencing? I'd like to learn more about your electrical fence setup; it seems like something I should be able to do myself, but it scares me.
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