Friday 3-1-13

March is finally here!  It came in like a lion.  (cold/rain/snow/nasty)  By rule, this means it goes out like a lamb.  (warmer, sunny) (hopefully!)  Akira and Nadia were running around in circles outside, long enough to almost wear a pattern in the grass.  One thing is for certain…come springtime, we will need to fertilize the dog area and also the horse pasture.  Probably even spread some grass seed.  Winter usually takes its toll on the grass in the animal areas.  It should be a great spring growth wise.  After last year’s drought, we had a very wet winter. 
With the coming warmer weather, it’s time to start planning this spring’s projects.  First and foremost, we plan to erect a barn in the horse pasture.  This barn (I hope to post images of plans soon!) will be big enough to stall 6 horses, but the plan is to only stall 2-4 and utilize the rest for tack, hay, bedding, etc.  By the end of the summer, we hope to double the size of the pasture.  If there are more than two horses, we may not have a choice.  This will however, reduce the size of the hayfield.  Therefore we will have to consider everything before beginning the project.

We will also move the chickens out of the barn into their own area, yet to be determined.

Once the horses and chickens are out of the barn, it will allow for expansion of the dog areas.  Currently, we have 4-large stalls.  They are big enough to get exercise inside, but we also let them out into our ¼ acre fenced area to run and play on a regular basis.  The project plan is to have 8 dog stalls by the end of the summer.  Each stall will house two dogs, but will be big enough to stall up to 4 during the times of heat cycles, litters of puppies, and any other times we deem it necessary to rearrange them.   On average, our stalls are currently, and will be at project completion 6-ft. X 10 ft. X 8 ft. tall.  Each stall also has a “table” built in for them to lie under or jump on top.  They frequently like to jump up onto the table and jump back down.  Each stall also has a window, for them to look out, and also enjoy the breezes.  During winter, we will be able to close the plexi-glass windows to stop the bitter cold winds.  As of this writing, I have not gotten that far on the windows.  There-in lies another spring/summer project.  Until then, I have to board up the windows during inclement weather.  It’s not only a headache for us, but the dogs cannot see out during these times.   The area we currently use for the chickens will be used for a “kitchen area”.  Yes…a kitchen in a barn!  At least that’s the plan.  The area is about 10ft. X 10ft.  First, I will pour a concrete pad, followed by enclosing it into a room.  I will wire in a stove outlet, and also a 20 amp circuit for a refrigerator.  We will take the refrigerator from the garage and put it out there.  The plan right now is to buy a new stove for our kitchen and put the old stove in the barn.  The reasoning behind this is because I cook a LOT of beef heart and beef liver for the dogs.  At this time, I use a small “George Foreman” grill.  Adding this area will allow for easier freezing, thawing, and cooking of these foods.  This area will also serve as a small “office” for the farm.  Our goal is to have this accomplished by the end of November of 2013.  I also hope to insulate this “office/kitchen” and heat it during the winter and cool it in the summer. 

After these projects are completed, the next step is to break out the back of the barn, and extend every dog stall to become indoor/outdoor.  It will at least double the size of every stall, and give them access to the outside as they want it.  The only time we may restrict it is overnight when we don’t want them to get stirred up by passing critters.  As this time approaches, I will design the area and post images as well.  I cannot predict the exact time frame, but I hope to have that accomplished by the end of the summer of 2014.  Since I do all the work myself, the projects are time consuming and become unpredictable based on my own work schedule, and kids schedules etc.