posted 2 hours ago
Hey Permies -
In Adam Klaus' Permaculture Voices presentation on biodynamic farming, he said that they brood their chicks in their greenhouse in the spring. The young chicks have enough heat, safety, space, and are able to be foraging basically from day 1. He described it in a way that made it sound like a great option that I would like to try!
As I finish getting my greenhouse built out, I am considering what I might put in place so that I could be ready to brood chicks in there in spring 2027.
The greenhouse footprint is 12.5ft x 33ft, south facing polycarb panels and other three walls enclosed. Centrally placed rocket mass heater and bench for heat. Flooring mostly wood chips with some paving stone paths. Stones and water filled drums for heat retention. There are several citrus trees in very large containers, tender plant beds, benches for plant starts, two IBC totes as ponds for channel catfish and a wide trough for azolla (mostly covered to manage warmth and water), zebra finch enclosure. Storage for tools and equipment, some in bins along the lower portion of the east and west walls. Rigging for overhead traveling for hose and solar lighting.
I love the idea of brooding chicks in a place that is already set up and does not require additional equipment or separate space. And the Clucky Mama-hen part of me can't help but imagine that there are a hundred ways for a curious, wandering, foraging chick to get in to trouble, get lost, get chilled, drowned, get stuck, get stepped on, get into and out of wherever they are supposed to be...
Can we have a reality check on this idea of brooding in the greenhouse? Has anybody followed in Adam K's steps, with some experience on how it worked for them?
“Not everyone can be a truffle. Most of us are potatoes. And a potato is a very good thing to be.” Massimo Bottura, Never Trust A Skinny Italian Chef