The last shade mobile we built had a door. This is because, eventually, we plan on enclosing it in chicken wire and putting chickens in it. However, this is not ideal for cows, as they can get stuck in the doorway and break it. So we made another shade mobile last Tuesday.
Incidentally, Ryan had always planned to build two shade mobiles, one for large ruminants, and one for chickens. However, when we were building the last one he got stuck thinking through how he was going to build and brace the doorway, and started actually piecing it together, and next thing you know, we had a mobile chicken shelter.
Which worked okay for sheep, but the steers might break it so we built the next one.
The girls were fascinated with the chalk line! Such a simple but useful little device.
We used the notched frame boards to make sure the calf panels were centered properly on the long frame.
Pounding in staples, attaching the calf panel to the 2×4 at the bottom of the frame.
The same thing attached on the other end of the panels.
The second layer of the frame.
Planning out the next step.
Of course we had to take breaks for school, lunches, naps, etc. So it was late afternoon by the time we got to this stage. We added the vertical corner braces, using a garbage pail to hold the frame off the ground to screw the underside of it.
Then we attached the short end frames on the front and back.
This was the hardest part of the process. Fortunately, Evie was there to help, bending the panels over to attach the sides of the frames at the front and back corners.
Winnie helps!
Now you can see the shape coming together.
She is such a good helper!
I have no idea what this face is. It’s just Ellie, that’s all.
Seppi, helping to hold the corner braces with his patented work-holding “Papa Belly.”
We attached the corner brackets for the wheel lift kits.
After a break for supper we attached the wheel. Seppi wanted the little wheels…
But Daddy insisted on using the big wheels. This will make it easier to get it through the tall grass in the pasture ahead of the cows and the sheep.
Now all it needs is a tarp, and we are all ready for a covered wagon trip across the prairie.
Little Farm in the Big City 