What a mess!

See that mess down there between the yard and the pond? That's our future garden. The tractor arrives this week and the first thing to do is remove the existing water system they had and then cut it back. I've looked forward to that for weeks! We'll have to work at getting the weeds cleared and likely won't plant it this spring. That's okay, plenty else to do.

Cleaning out the barn area is this week's project. It's pretty nasty. Long term ideas for that as well. It's a jumble of old and new fences and gates that don't even match up in places...

I'm working on the yard. It needs another trim this week... or next. A year's worth of 2 acres of grass doesn't tame overnight. 

Free at last!

Sierra is my runner. Her original owner was tired of her escaping so she was going to put her down. Apparently she didn't do her research before getting a Pyrenees. I intended to foster until I could find her a home.... She quickly settled in and decided to stay with us. And, we are very happy she did!

A ranch offers unending space to run and a bounty of smells to explore but a Pyr needs a secure border. Besides securing a coop for the girls the "yard" needed to be fenced for pup security. Needing it sooner than we could get it done we hired somebody to do it for us. Fast is not a pace out here. Of course, it didn't help that while having the fence installed we decided they could do some repairs to the fence around the front pasture and replace some gates so if the dogs want to run with the horses we will eventually get... You get the idea.

Sierra has spent 18 days at the end of a 15 ft leash when outside. That has not been easy for her but she's been so very good about it. Good thing she didn't have to wait on us to put up a fence! They finished today and I decided to wait until after their dinner to set her free. Here are some videos of her playing with Merlin (unleashed and not pulling my arm off), getting a burst of energy, and wandering home. Later she really let loose but, as usual, I didn't have my phone with me to catch it. Enjoy her enjoyment :)

https://youtu.be/STTlnmUkfc4

https://youtu.be/8Lc2WWnDHCQ

https://youtu.be/x_0bzYe3NQs

Good girls!

Two of the girls left eggs yesterday in their new nest boxes. Yay! Remember when I said they would all use the same box? Well, not this time... I had decoy eggs in the middle nest box and they laid one on each side of it. Silly girls! Henrietta and Reba were my layers. Maybe Lillie Mae will join them soon. Hmm, I should start checking into getting more chicks!

And, because I know you really want to see the super interesting photos that I took....

The Girls Have Nest Boxes!

The girls have been rather confused about where to lay eggs. Being stressed they can hold their eggs for up to 48 hours. I imagine a few are out in the scrub but the dogs haven't found them so... maybe not.

They're very comfy in their new digs even in this rough unfinished stage. They aren't eating their food but are getting plenty because I am checking their crops. They have been very full so I wasn't in a hurry to let them out. I want them to accept and know their new coop as home. Earlier this week I finally let them roam free after being cooped up - pun intended :) Within minutes all three were heavily engrossed in dust bathing, throwing sand everywhere and getting thoroughly covered. No need to provide sand and ash anymore. They now happily wander all over eating to their heart's content - crops overflowing with all natural bugs!

Nesting boxes were made yesterday. The girls were introduced, a slight design adjustment made, and I figure I'll soon find eggs where they belong. Happy girls! Yes, I have plans to paint after the coop is enclosed and I decide on colors. As for now you get a shot in the bare. In order from left to right, Henrietta, Lillie Mae, and Reba. 

You may be wondering if we'll build more for the newbies and later additions that I plan. Well, no. I don't want THAT many and they'll all use the same box anyway. These three nests will service about 24 just fine. 

Working it

Lots of vision for this place! So many ideas and we've got lots of time to get 'er done.

Besides unpacking, the first project was to secure the kennel for the girls. That'll be the first step in converting it to a coop. Michael worked on that most of the weekend. Nest boxes and roosting will be on the agenda next weekend.

The mower arrived Monday. That's was a lot of fun as I've never been on a zero turn mower. I highly recommend it! The "yard" is just under 2 acres so it took about an hour. They originally tilled and plugged it just like the pastures. Makes for a rather bumpy ride. 

We're having the "yard" fenced and Sierra will be so happy to be allowed off leash again. Of course, 36 feet isn't enough and she's managed to back out of her collar 3 times so far. It's now tighter... That's going to take about a week. Normally it wouldn't but there was a death in the family and they're working around that....

It's so nice working with family owned businesses even when they take a while to get to it. One of the a/c units wasn't cooling so I called the company that installed them (Guess I should explain the history of this place... That'll be for another blog.) After having a nice chat with the receptionist, who actually answered the phone, the owner shows up about an hour later. I get the whole story of his 6 brothers laying bricks and him the only a/c guy, daughter moving to Dallas, his ranch, his cattle, his son-in-law actually owning the business now, his knee surgery and needing another, but he still makes calls.... All in about 5 minutes. Love being around people that are sincere, real, helpful, friendly, aren't in a hurry, say "hi" and ask how you're doing today, look you in the eye, hold the door open, wave as they drive by, etc. It's just so very nice....

Until next time....

Good morning!

I'm going to have to start drinking coffee as the view from the front porch is such a beautiful way to start the day!