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Friday, 14 August 2015

Swinging Gates

The sheep have eaten the hedges bare on the field they're in, and they seem to have dried up (milk wise), so I decided it was time they moved.  The trouble was I had to hang four gates first. 
I'd been putting the job off as I've not hung many gates, but to be fair it went fairly easily. I had a little generator going and my electric drill to drill the holes, didn't take that long once I was set up, but it was tricky trying to line up the hinges and gates on my own. 
The only downside is the one gate is on the footpath so I'm not holding out much hope in it staying shut everyday, I just hope the sheep don't get out if it's left open (some hope!). 
I think I've got more swinging gates on my little smallholding than Dad's whole farm! 

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25 comments:

  1. lynda14 August 2015 at 07:39

    I have a lot of gates, too, as we don't have a huge amount of land , so I have it divided into paddocks. Then I can rotate grazing..in the garden, gates keep the dogs and chickens out of my garden plots....
    Hope you have success with walkers closing the gates. Unfortunately I don't have much hope.....

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    1. Kev Alviti14 August 2015 at 07:56

      No neither do I! I'm trying to divide mine up so I can manage it better. I'll have to add a little plan of the place do you can see what areas I've got.

      Delete
  2. Dawn14 August 2015 at 08:03

    Another job off the list Kev, perhaps your sign should read Please Shut The Gate Livestock Grazing, I hope your sheep dont go wandering, I have been thinking about a cattle grid on the top of the drive just in case any of ours go for a walk we have loads of gates as we have set up smaller paddocks :-)

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    1. Kev Alviti16 August 2015 at 22:28

      The list never gets any shorter though! I've fitted cattle grids for customers with dad before now but I think they're out of my price range at the moment.

      Delete
  3. Frugal in Derbyshire 14 August 2015 at 11:16

    I'm with Dawn. I think it helps people to understand if you spell out WHY you need the gate closed. Some people really do need telling!
    While grids are a good idea you'd need to sell a many sheep to pay for it!

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    1. Kev Alviti16 August 2015 at 22:29

      At the moment I'd need to sell about two times more lambs than I have! It's a good idea though. Maybe I'll add a sub note to my cruedly drawn sign!

      Delete
  4. Vera14 August 2015 at 12:06

    Nice gates....think you need a bigger sign though!

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    1. Kev Alviti16 August 2015 at 22:29

      Maybe. so far so good though and it;s been left shut.

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  5. Mike Silvius14 August 2015 at 13:48

    "TRESPASSERS WILL BE SHOT" might be more effective. ;-) LOL

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    1. Kev Alviti16 August 2015 at 22:30

      Be great to put that but hey have a right of way across the top of my fields. I've fenced off one bit but it's not practical to do inthe second field.

      Delete
  6. SandyExpat14 August 2015 at 17:10

    I agree you need a bigger sign and very basic wording saying 'CLOSE THE GATE SHEEP GRAZING' or something clever that will get their attention. Sad to read that some walkers can not be bothered.

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    1. Kev Alviti16 August 2015 at 22:31

      I'm normally more concerned that they never seem to have dogs on leads and if I challenge them about it they talk at me like I'm in the wrong.

      Delete
  7. northsider 14 August 2015 at 19:42

    I am sure you could construct some kissing gates Kev for the walkers to get in and to keep the sheep inside. Or perhaps a stile?

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    1. Kev Alviti16 August 2015 at 22:32

      No room for it Dave, it's a 12ft gate so I can get the tractor down there

      Delete
  8. Gorges Smythe15 August 2015 at 01:43

    Put in a stile there.

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  9. PioneerPreppy15 August 2015 at 17:45

    The more gates the merrier :)

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    1. Kev Alviti16 August 2015 at 22:32

      This field has five now as it's the middle field and acts like a hub!

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  10. Sue G15 August 2015 at 19:05

    I'm with Gorges on this, put a stile in there, and padlock the gate, problem solved. Or you could put another small gate in beside the big one, one that swings shut on a spring and latches when you close it....On the other hand, I think a stile would be easier! The public really can't be trusted, even with a huge sign, it's almost daring them to leave it open! Wouldn't want you to have all the hassle with the sheep escaping.

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    1. Kev Alviti16 August 2015 at 22:33

      there's only room for a 12ft gate I'm afraid so it wouldn't work putting anything else in there. I might get a gate within a gate if I have trouble and then I can have a spring in it.

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  11. Sol15 August 2015 at 19:55

    Wow you are really shifting this summer. going great guns

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  12. Kirsty15 August 2015 at 20:47

    You need a big sign with the country code on it.

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    1. Kev Alviti16 August 2015 at 22:34

      Trouble is I'd need to hit people with that sign so they pay any attention to it!

      Delete
  13. pest control nj24 August 2015 at 12:28

    This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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