gopala heymann

Thanks Marvin! I am excited to get a hold of the book. Domestic chicken history is very interesting to me. The studies of the ancestral wild jungle fowl in SE Asia really make clear how far our breeding has digressed from the source. I definitely lean towards plants that will naturalize here so why not a chicken (with a bit of training and assistance.)

Hi Ben, thank you for your interest.

Nature is our provider and teacher. Although people have 'made' a lot of things, we haven't truly 'created' anything. All that we have made originated from something that existed already in Nature. Thus, it seems obvious that being a partner with Nature is essential. To recognize Her as both the source and the destination, brings a much clearer perspective to our roles here. If we take care of Nature, she takes care of us.

Enhancing fertility inevitably invites more and more life organisms. They are our helpers each in their own unique way. They have been the inhabitants here long before humans wandered in and made claims. By respecting and accommodating them, as the innately intelligent beings that they are, deepens one's rapport with the environment.

As an example, our 8-9 foot high fenced area of about 4+ acres excludes deer and pigs. (With some electrification near gates it can exclude bears also.) All other wild animals have access. Our home, the poultry house, and adjacent pond, and three other buildings are within this area. An adjoining fenced area, which surrounds the majority of the orchard trees, two other residential buildings and a small pond, encompasses about 5 acres. It excludes only pigs. A few years ago, the one single area was divided in this way largely because of the frequent incursions by bears into the orchard. Their occasional damage to then 6 foot high field fencing facilitated entry for the deer. This required too much fence maintenance over 30+ years. So I created a compromise: the deer and bears can freely enjoy the mature orchard but not the rest. They reciprocate with cleanup of fruit and of course some pruning. Fortunately, most of the trees are standards so the bear pretty much climbs rather than rips. (The animals also forage a partial border of damson plums, and, outside of the fencing, blackthorns.) I have learned some things about trees and pruning from the deer and bears.

Here are some of my interests. I am breeding for a smaller sized, more 'naturally attuned' chicken that is much less dependent on purchased feed. I have started over 100 seedling quince trees that I hope to successfully naturalize. There are also likely to be more olive trees in the future here. We have 6 mature trees and another nineteen 2-3 year olds. There are sixteen varieties in all. For several years now I have been eating acorns. An amazing and ancient food!

My vision is for a small community here. There are 4 decent sized residences available. One of them is largely enclosed but mostly incomplete inside. A redistribution of ownership is quite possible. My wife and I are nearly 70 so new input would be wonderful.

Nearby is the Heartwood Mountain Sanctuary that has just been sold. From what I hear, the new owner is very interested in continuing the sustainable vision for the land. We have a local fire department. In Garberville is the Community Farm.

I will get some photos up shortly.

Looking for a motivated couple or young family with permaculture/gardening and/or carpentry skills. This can be for long or short term. The housing is a lovely and spacious 4+ bedroom home which needs some finishing touches to complete its last remodeling. The arrangement would be a mix of work trade and rent. It will also be a learning experience for all of us.

A respectful and thankful attitude for Nature is primary to living in this wild and natural area, A positive mindset while working/playing with the land is invaluable. More simplicity and sustainability are a big part of the vision here. This is a 94 acre homestead in an exceptional ecosystem (oak woodland). A lot of infrastructure has been completed. There is over 40 years of development from a basically natural state. This is off grid, has spring water, ponds, mature orchard, and multiple dwellings/buildings. It is one hour, 25 miles, to the nearest town, which is Garberville. The road is 23 miles county maintained. About 18 miles is paved. The rest is dirt. Then 2 miles more of private dirt road which is the access for multiple parcels. We are near the end, which means very little traffic. Our town trips are usually weekly.

All questions are welcome. I hope this has sparked some interest.

Thank you everyone for the info and suggestions. I have sampled many breeds over the last 3 years. Some of the smaller ones were Brown, White and Black Leghorns, Icelandic, Red Jungle Fowl, Black Wyandotte bantam, Prairie Bluebell Egger, CA White, Old English Muffed, and Whiting True Green. I don’t expect the birds to be truly feral in this climate (inland Coast Range, northern CA). I plan to supplement their food supply in the field as well as at home. This should help guarantee egg collecting. Observing the various degrees of maternal instincts has been interesting. One mom wanted to to go out food exploring with less than week old chicks. And even got most of them to come up onto the second rung of a ladder style roost. Most hens after they are separated from the chicks will sleep on the ground at the wall closest to them for two or three nights after. They regularly keep conversing with them as well. My feeling is the longer they spend with mother hen the better adapted they will be for a wilder lifestyle.

It seems like a smaller, more instinctual bird might fare better and be a cheaper egg producer in more rugged homestead settings. Apparently, even the high tech breeders are looking at reducing hen sizes, as that is about all that is left for humans to affect in the hen’s physiology. Of course, this is with the aim of reduced feed costs, meaning more profit.
i am interested in any experiences with broody hens that have raised chicks for a week or longer; Leghorn crosses with smaller sized breeds, including bantam breeds, and, any general smaller breed observations.

Our location is in southeastern Humboldt county on 90+ acres, most of it pristine. The elevation is from approximately 1240' to 2000'. About 15 acres is open or grassland. The remainder is forest, mainly oaks, with madrone, pepperwood, buckeye, and Douglas fir. The ecosystem is California Oak Woodland. The developed areas are at 1340' to 1480'. We enjoy a mild climate, with some maritime influence. Snow is occasional but not long lasting.  We (me, Gopala, and wife Lily) have lived here for over 40 years. We raised our three children here.

The land was in its natural state (minus some trees and some erosion from logging roads) when we arrived. Many permaculture principles have been utilized in the cultivation of this land. Strictly organic methods have been maintained. A guiding principle in this endeavor has been to cooperate and learn from Nature. There is mature orchard and hedgerow style plantings. There is adequate water and space for vegetable growing. Currently we have 12 ducks, 47 chickens, 10 chicks, and two sheep (rams). The latest project is developing productive and safe habitat for free ranging poultry. This is not a cannabis farm.

As we are off grid. We depend on solar and generator to provide charging power for the batteries. Conservation practices are encouraged to aim for a minimal footprint.

The lifestyle here is pretty simple. For activities, there is an abundant variety of land, garden, and construction work to do. The property borders State and federal land so there are possibilities for hiking. The beautiful natural setting is conducive to peaceful reflection.  By far, most interaction would be with me, as I am the active one in all of the construction and land related projects.

Town is 25 miles away. About the last 7 miles is dirt. It takes close to an hour. We try to minimize trips to town.

The furnished cabin has two, or potentially three bedrooms, and one full bathroom (with a tub.) The kitchen is spacious. Wood is the heat source. Cooking is on propane. Starlink internet is available.

Let me know about your land/farm experience. Both beginners and the more experienced are welcome. Perhaps you can relate a memorable experience and any long term goals?

We will respond to all inquiries. If we are interested we will ask more questions, and provide info and photos.

Email is bbnf@mail.com

Thanks for your interest

This is a work trade situation, or a 'visit the farm' rental, or a mix, for a single or a couple. Permaculture background, a reverence for Nature, and, of course, some skills, are all pluses.

The furnished cabin has two or potentially three bedrooms, and one full bathroom (with a tub.) The kitchen is spacious. Cooking is on propane. Wood is the heat source. As we are off grid. Solar panels and a generator provide charging power for the electrical system. Starlink internet is available. A minimum stay of three nights is suggested.  Something longer is certainly possible. A minimal use of intoxicants is very much preferred. This is not a cannabis farm.

The location is 90+ acres in southeastern Humboldt county. Other than a few basic roads, and some scattered stumps from logging, the land was undeveloped when it became home nearly 40 years ago. The elevation ranges from approximately 1240' to 2000'. Over 80% is forest, with mainly oaks, also madrone, pepperwood, buckeye, and Douglas fir. The developed areas are at an elevation of 1340-1480 feet. The climate is mild with some maritime influence. The current farm animals are 12 ducks, 47 chickens, 10 chicks, two (ram) sheep and a cat.

The lifestyle here is pretty simple. For activities, there is an abundant variety of land, garden, and construction work to do. The property borders State and federal land so there also are possibilities for hiking. The beautiful natural setting is conducive to peaceful reflection.

Daily interaction would be with me, Gopala, as I am the active one in all of the construction and land related projects. My wife Lily is a retired midwife.

It is 25 miles to the nearest town. The trip takes close to an hour, and includes about seven miles of dirt road. Our trips to town are usually weekly.

Let me know about your land/farm experience.

Thank you for your interest.