Sunday, June 6, 2010

Disrespecting my fence


In February I wrote a post called Mud Management and Erosion Control that discussed the temporary twine "fence" I have erected around my chicken coop to prevent the big animals - 3 llamas and 2 donkeys - from 1) eroding a fragile hillside and 2) eating the few puny shade trees on the backside of the coop:

It has actually worked quite well, considering it's a bunch of silly, orange baling twine. Recently, however, I noticed that one of the sides of my "fence" was hanging quite slack:

I wasn't sure exactly what (or who) was causing it until I saw this:

Now I realize the picture above might mean little to you, but how about this next one?:

Maybe this makes it even clearer?:

Dolly llama is standing inside the chicken shavings compost area to get to the greenery on the other side:

The force of her body against the chicken wire mesh along the back is bending the t-posts which, in turn, is then pulling the twine fencing:

As I am standing there, I see Dolly realize that the green stuff on the other side really is just as delicious as she had imagined, and she tests the fence further:

Now she's got her sights set on the really good stuff:

It was all downhill from here:

One step...:

...led to another:

Toni watched me closely to see my reaction to the trouble her mama was getting into:

So focused on the yummy, green deliciousness, she hasn't noticed her pending entanglement. Now half of her body is between the two fence lines:

Going for full-body-entanglement:


Suddenly, she realizes her dilemma. This could get ugly:

I decided it was time to whip out my "Sharpest Knife in the World" ™ to prevent panic and potential injury from ensuing:

Released from her brief bondage, off she went:

With nary a glance behind her:

Everyone else, though, still respected my (now lying on the ground) fence:


This made me feel a little better.

35 comments:

  1. What can one say? The grass is ALWAYS greener ...

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  2. Great story line! Llamas are such funny animals! They have such personalities! Everytime you blog about them I so want to get llamas! But then again, when you blog about the goat boy antics, I so want to get goats, too! :-) Guess I just love all the animals! Luckily I have a big farm! ;-) One day I'll have it stocked with animals!

    ~Lynn

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  3. bad Dolly, no no! At least the others know better.....for now anyway. The pic right before the one of your cutting made me whince at the possibilities of what was to follow. So glad you didn't let it move on any further than that.

    Oh well. I guess it is on to plan B for the fence......

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  4. LOL, I love the shot when she realizes she's got a problem.

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  5. Coming soon to Critter Farm, invisible dog - err - llama collars.

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  6. OMG, animals have it SOOO figured out, don't they? We just stand by and watch it unfold, then fix it until the next time. I'm thinking the twine might need some reinforcement:-)

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  7. But look at that face in the first photo. How could you tell her that she's a bad girl?
    Look at her! She's so cute.
    She just didn't understand why there was a string in her way. Come on....

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  8. WAIT! I just looked out the window and there is a wild turkey in my flower garden.
    What's the matter with animals these days. They have no boundaries what so ever...

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  9. Coming soon to Critter Farm, invisible dog - err - llama collars.

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  10. There's one in every crowd! You should start a new show, "Leave it to Llamas!" I'll send you a couple of guest stars now and then. ;-)

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  11. Oh . . . but she's so darn adorable. One just couldn't get mad at her. I'm so glad her Critter Farm Mama loves her so!

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  12. Ha! That Dolly. She was totally breaking the rules. I bet the whole time as she reached further and further, she was thinking...shes not the boss of me. :-)
    But look at you. Always the great mama. Ready in a moments notice. And you fixed the problem that was just waiting to take place. Did you have a talk with her after that tho? To let her know she had lost her mind....:-)
    Its kinda cracking me up tho that the other girls stayed on the right side of the fence....good for them for not following their mamas (poor)example. lol.

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  13. Funny. With friends like Dolly, who needs enemies?

    Electric fence time, I think. Just long enough to train her...

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  14. Only with a face like that can you get away with such behaviours! Lol!!!
    Love the other littlie watching you.

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  15. You did well to keep them out all this time with just baling twine! Even if it was orange!! :D
    My lot would laugh in my face if I tried that! :D

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  16. Ooops! They'll be having lessons in the barn at night...prepare Danni!

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  17. what would our children do if we mothers were not always keeping our eyes open for potential disasters?

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  18. I'm doing my very best not to fall out of my chair laughing. I love them and their priceless expressions!

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  19. I can't blame the girl. That green grass looks too good.

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  20. That's funny! Great photos.
    Now I wonder how you are going to keep her out of there? Once they set their minds to something it's hard to change it.
    Good luck! ha ha

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  21. Methinks it's time for hot wire ;-)

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  22. i love the second photo with all the animals together...reminds me of an illistration from the book ANIMAL FARM
    lovely

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  23. Leave it to a critter to figure out how to get through whatever barrier is between them and the yumminess on the other side.
    Great sequence of pics!

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  24. It would be great to have a donkey day! They are just as addictive as goats! I don't know how many hands Clyde is,I think he is funny looking because he looks out of proportion,skinny skinny legs and big long head! He has lots and lots of character! Our Bonnie has more of that classic donkey look.

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  25. Completely understand your pain...my llamas actually jump our fences and the camel leans through the fence even though it is buzzing with electricity...yep no respect here either!

    Great post, Kim

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  26. The look on Dolly's face when she figured out her dilemma is hilarious. Good thing you had your sharpest knife handy.

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  27. I finally made it to your blog -- yeah! Awesome pictures of the animals! Also, loved the raindrops on the leaves. I love rain - and miss it! Your inner country girl is really coming out:) Best Wishes!

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  28. You're so great at building the suspense -- I couldn't wait to see if/when Dolly Llama would realize she'd bit off more than she could chew, if you pardon the pun!--Inger

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  29. A great story - I'm surprised no one else followed!

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  30. Ha! love that look on her face as she realizes something has a hold of her.

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  31. What a little rascal. Can't blame her really, though, all that lush greeny-ness does look pretty tempting.

    Toni really does look like he's waiting for the whoopin' that's sure to come. Ha! So funny.

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