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What do you think of Animal Care Straw/Wood/Iron?

 
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Here's the newly published Straw/Wood/Iron levels of Animal Care.

What are your thoughts?


straw badge

35 points required
Can do up to fifteen new points from Animals.Sand list (each item counts for 1 point)

Required: Complete one of the BBs for “Control a pest”

  - Set up a stock tank that won’t freeze in the winter without electricity - 4 points
      - BB only applies in climates where freezing is a routine issue
  - Set up a moveable electric fence for paddock shift systems (show a move)
      - Using 110v ac power - 1 point
      - Using car battery (kept dry) - 1.5 points
  - Scythe and bale a dozen bales of hay - 4 points
  - Scythe and bale a dozen bales of straw - 4 points
  - Build a manual baler
      - 3 points for animal care plus 3 points for dimensional woodworking Straw level
  - Grow forage for chickens/pigs in a single paddock - 4 points
      - at least 8 species, obviously more than 5000 calories
      - note that 15 pounds of sunchokes are 5000 calories
  - Prove that paddock shift is amazing - 10 points
      - at least 4 paddocks
      - pics throughout the season
      - one control area that is fenced off 10 feet x10 feet

  - Grow a three season nectar harvest for pollinators - 10 points
      - pics and description of planting
      - pics of hundreds of blooms at 2 points in each season (six pics total)
      - at least a dozen species

  - Prove that chickens prefer fresh food over organic commercial food - 10 points
      - control is at least one chicken in a barren coop and run scenario
      - at least one chicken in a lush paddock have access to the same chicken feed
      - test must span at least three days
      - 2 extra points if the paddocks chickens eat zero commercial food

  - Prove your animal’s food is fit for human consumption - 1 point
      - Eat 500 calories of the same food your omnivorous animals are eating

  - Prove that your animal’s water is clean/fresh/healthy - 2 points
      - Maybe drink a pint of their water
      - Need more ways to show this
      - Brainstorming thread https://permies.com/t/139963/Brainstorming-Animal-care-Prove-High

  - System to collect excessive insects in the summer, dry them and feed them out in the winter - 4 points
      - at least two pounds of dried insects

  - Set up a holzer bee hive - 2 points
  - Shear a sheep - 4 points
  - Shear an alpaca/llama - 4 points

  - Make a lightweight paddock shift chick brooder - 4 points
      - 2 feet by 3 feet minimum warm area
      - connected to a 2 feet by 3 feet minimum “run” exposed to sun
      - (looks a lot like a chicken tractor - but the covered side is insulated and heated)
      - at least 12 chicks
  - Make a lightweight paddock shift chicken coop - 4 points
  - Make a skiddable goat shelter - 4 points
  - Make a skiddable hog shelter - 5 points
  - Make a skiddable cattle shelter - 7 points

  - Make a 200 foot wavy deer fence - 4 points
      - Per https://permies.com/t/140079/Wavy-Deer-Fence

  - Do the work to entice beavers to an area - 4 points
      - prove that work introduced beavers to the area - 2 more points

  - Show how offal from one animal system is an input to a different animal system - 2 points
      - must be fed to a different species
      - receiving species must be an omnivore or carnivore

Prove mitigation of pests:
  - If you chose to do more than one of these BBs, work done for one of the BBs can not be counted for another BB
  - For instance, to get credit for 6 toad habitats for mosquito mitigation and 6 toad habitats for fly mitigation requires the construction of 12 toad habitats.

  - Control aphids with permaculture - 8 points (this is the BB)
      - Not
          - DE
          - buy ladybugs
          - any kind of spray
          - squishing
      - Do three of these things
          - improve diversity of plants to reduce aphid load
              - some species discourage aphids
              - some species draw aphids away from other species (sacrifice)
              - Predator buffet line
                  - Butterfly weed
              - Some species provide nectar/food/habitat for aphid predators
              - Some species take up excess nitrogen
                  - Many believe excessive N make a plant attractive to aphids
                  - Rhubarb, any grass, corn, nettles, asparagus
          - create habitat for stuff that eats aphids (spiders, lacewings, ladybugs, etc)  
                  - ladybug houses
                  - Research Thread: https://permies.com/t/139109
                  - Insect hotels
                  - Brush piles?
          - create habitat for stuff that discourages ants (spiders, lizards, etc)
          - Use permaculture techniques to improve the soil and support the health of an aphid affected plant
          - bring tiny/immature fowl in to eat the ants, preferably in a paddock shift system  
      - Prove your efforts mitigated aphids.    Here are two possible ways to prove it:
          - Have a “control” patch and document results during the time of year when aphids are a problem
          - Document one year without and one year with controls, same time of year

  - Control leaf eating beetles with permaculture - 8 points
          - colorado potato beetle
          - japanese beetle
          - other leaf eating beetles
      - Not
          - DE
          - soap sprays or any kind of spray
          - squishing
          - BT
      - Do four of these things
          - improve diversity of plants
              - some species improve the strength and health of target plant
              - diversity of plants in a polyculture to allow most plants to escape beetle attack
              - some species discourage beetles
              - Some cultivars are resistant to beetles
              - some species draw beetles away from other species (sacrifice)
                  - these species typically attract beetle predators
          - build beetle predator habitat
          - add mulch to support health of target plants
          - bring fowl in to eat the beetles
          - Trap crop (grapes?) to attract beetles then shake trellis to feed chickens below
          - Demonstrate how landscape texture and underground diversity allow some plants to thrive while others suffer from beetles
                  - Texture could be 7’ hugelkulturs
                  - Show plants within 20’ of each other, one thriving, one suffering.  
      - Prove your efforts mitigated beetles.    Here are two possible ways to prove it:
          - Have a “control” patch and document results during the time of year when beetles are a problem
          - Document one year without and one year with controls, same time of year

  - Control cutworms with permaculture - 8 points
      - Not
          - DE
          - soap sprays or any kind of spray
          - hand picking / squishing
          - BT
      - Do four of these things
          - improve diversity of plants
              - some species improve the strength and health of target plant
              - some species discourage cutworms
              - some species draw cutworms away from other species (sacrifice)
                  - these species typically attract cutworm predators
          - build cutworm predator habitat (fireflies, birds, wasps)
          - add mulch to target plant
          - Document plant of the same species in another spot not being bothered by pests
          - bring fowl in to eat the cutworms
      - Prove your efforts mitigated cutworms.    Here are two possible ways to prove it:
          - Have a “control” patch and document results during the time of year when cutworms are a problem
          - Document one year without and one year with controls, same time of year

  - Control mosquitoes with permaculture - 8 points
      - Do NOT use BT, soap, sprays, citronella, propane, electricity
      - Pre-requisite BBs
          - create dragonfly habitat (make this a link to sand badge)
          - create frog habitat (make this a link to sand badge)
          - create toad habitat
      - Do all of the following:
          - attract two different mosquito eating birds/bats
                  - describe the species and how you’re attracting them
                  - probably building housing
          - Mitigate breeding areas - do two of:
              - mosquito breeding trap
              - introduce fish to a year round water tank or pond to control mosquito larvae
              - reduction of standing water where it is not wanted - do at least one
                  - gutter that does not drain properly
                  - buckets or other objects outside that can hold water for five days or more
                  - puddles in a road
          - build six more toad shelters
      - Prove your efforts mitigated mosquitoes.  Here are two possible ways to prove it:
          - Have a “control” and document results during mosquito season
          - Compare results of one year without and one year with controls, same time of year

  - Control crop eating birds with permaculture - 8 points
      - Do NOT use shotgun, electricity, netting or a blaring radio  
      - Pre-requisite BBs
          - Create snake habitat  
      - Do five of the following things:
          - Distract birds away from other crops + animal feed by planting mulberries and the like
                  - 100 shrubs/trees total
                  - 60+ mulberries
                  - Staggered fruiting time to distract for as long as possible
          - Select plant cultivars that hide the bounty from the birds
                  - Show 6 plants (can be the same species)
          - Perches for raptors
          - Create 6 more snake habitats
          - Housing for purple martins (they’re territorial)
          - Cats (need to prove they’re eating the right birds)
          - Terrier
          - Plant double the crop and accept the losses
          - Bird trap pig feeder
                  - Tube that attracts starlings to enter (hey look at this nice house) but it is a one-way trip to the pig pen
      - Prove your efforts mitigated crop eating birds.    Here are two possible ways to prove it:
          - Have a “control” patch and document results during the time of year when birds are a problem
          - Document one year without and one year with controls, same time of year

  - Control rodents with permaculture - 8 points
      - Small outdoor rodents
          - including, but not limited to:
              - mice
              - rats
              - chipmunks
              - voles
              - moles
              - gophers
              - rabbits
      - Do NOT use guns, electricity, fences, or traps
          - There is a foraging BB for hunting rabbits/squirrels
      - Pre-requisite BBs
          - Create snake habitat  
          - Create a brush pile
      - Do five of the following:
          - Create 6 more snake habitats
          - Create 6 more brush piles
          - Plants that encourage cats
          - Get a new cat that is a good mouser
          - Get a new rodent eating dog (ie rat terrier)
          - attract two different birds that eat rodents
              - describe the species and how you’re attracting them
              - probably building housing
              - perches for raptors
          - Plants that discourage rodents
          - pulse hogs/chickens/turkeys/etc. through an area with too many rodents
          - put out more food for rodents (thus attracting predators)
          - Improve food/grain storage
          - Create an exposed area around your garden that they won’t cross for fear of getting grabbed
          - Make an actual moat
      - Prove your efforts mitigated rodents.  Do one:
          - Have a “control” patch and document results during the time of year when rodents are a problem
          - Document one year without and one year with controls, same time of year

  - Control flies with permaculture - 8 points
      - Including but not limited to:
          - Horseflies
          - House flies
          - Deer flies
          - Black flies
          - Sand flies
      - Not
          - Bug zappers, fly paper, soap sprays or any kind of spray
      - Pre-requisite BBs
          - create dragonfly habitat (make this a link to sand badge)
          - create frog habitat (make this a link to sand badge)
          - create toad habitat
      - Do four of the following:
          - Create 6 more dragonfly habitats
          - Create 6 more frog habitats
          - Create 6 more toad habitats
          - attract two different fly eating birds/bats
              - describe the species and how you’re attracting them
              - probably building housing
              - Possibly plants that attract birds/bats
          - Remove fly specks
          - Select for cattle that don’t attract flies
              - Sell/eat fly attractors, breed fly-free cattle
          - Attract/encourage two types of spiders
          - Use paddock shift to break fly breeding cycle
              - Describe how your system does this
          - Plants that deter flies (wormwood, mint, etc)
          - Carnivorous plants
          - Plants that attract predatory insects, arachnids and/or wasps
              - describe the species and how you’re attracting them
              - probably plants that attract them
              - Possibly housing
      - Prove your efforts mitigated flies.  Do one:
          - Have a “control” patch and document results during the time of year when flies are a problem.  Maybe counting fly specs or using fly paper to measure flies over time.
          - Document one year without and one year with controls, same time of year

  - Control indoor fleas with permaculture - 8 points
      - Not
          - flea collars, sprays, borates, flea bombs
      - Required:
          - Apply Diatomaceous Earth (DE) around edges of rooms
              - Unlike other BBs above, since this is indoors it will last a very long time
          - Twice a week vacuuming with DE for three months
              - Spread DE and vacuum it up
          - Wash laundry and bedding more often and with more soap
      - Do one of the following:
          - Switch one room from carpet to hard surface floors
          - Feed pets/animals brewer’s yeast
          - Heat the house to 105F for more than 5 hours
          - Dehumidify the house to 30% or less for more than 4 days
      - Prove your efforts mitigated fleas.  Do one:
          - Document your starting flea load, at one month with controls in place and at three months with zero fleas trapped.  Measure with a 48 hour flea trap test.

  - Breed a broody hen to hatch at least six chicks - 4 points
      - points awarded when chicks are one week old
  - Breed a broody duck to hatch at least six ducklings - 4 points
      - points awarded when ducklings are one week old
  - Breed a broody turkey to hatch at least four poults- 4 points
      - points awarded when poults are one week old
  - Breed a guinea fowl to hatch at least six keets - 4 points
      - points awarded when keets are one week old
  - Breed a quail to hatch at least six chicks - 4 points
      - points awarded when chicks are one week old
  - Breed a pigeon to hatch at least four squabs - 4 points
      - points awarded when squabs are one week old
  - Breed a goose to hatch at least six goslings- 4 points
      - points awarded when gosling are one week old
  - Breed a goat resulting in at least one kid - 4 points
      - points awarded when kid is one week old
  - Breed a rabbit resulting in at least six kits - 4 points
      - points awarded when kits are one week old
  - Breed an ewe resulting in at least one lamb - 4 points
      - points awarded when lamb is one week old
  - Breed a cow resulting in at least one calf - 4 points
      - points awarded when calf is one week old
  - Breed a sow resulting in at least six piglets - 4 points
      - points awarded when piglets are one week old
  - Breed a guinea pig resulting in at least six pups - 4 points
      - points awarded when pups are one week old
  - Breed a llama resulting in at least one cria - 4 points
      - points awarded when cria is one week old
  - Breed an alpaca resulting in at least one cria - 4 points
      - points awarded when cria is one week old
  - Breed a working farm dog resulting in at least six puppies - 4 points
      - points awarded when puppies are one week old


  - Raising mealworms - end up with two pounds more than when you started - 3 points
  - Raising crayfish - end up with two pounds more than when you started - 3 points
  - Raising worms - end up with two pounds more worms than when you started - 4 points
  - Raising black soldier flies - end up with two pounds more grubs than when you started - 4 points
  - Raising mason bees - end up with ½ lb of cocoons - 2 points

  - Fish farming - 2 points
      - Prerequisite is to do “Stock a pond with fish” sand BB
      - Harvest 5 lbs of fish that are obviously much larger than when you introduced them to the pond

Harvest List:
  - Process fish - catch and clean 5 lbs of fish from your pond - 2 points
  - Butcher a goat - slaughter and clean - 2 points
  - Butcher a sheep - slaughter and clean - 2 points
  - Butcher a cattle - slaughter and clean - 8 points
  - Butcher a pig - slaughter and clean - 6 points

Parasite list:
      - Check three times, once in spring, summer and fall

  - Prove that your chickens do not have parasites - 4 points
  - Prove that your ducks do not have parasites - 4 points
  - Prove that your cattle do not have parasites - 4 points
  - Prove that your guinea fowl do not have parasites - 4 points
  - Prove that your quail do not have parasites - 4 points
  - Prove that your pigeons do not have parasites - 4 points
  - Prove that your geese do not have parasites - 4 points
  - Prove that your rabbits do not have parasites - 4 points
  - Prove that your llamas do not have parasites - 4 points
  - Prove that your alpacas do not have parasites - 4 points
  - Prove that your hogs do not have parasites - 4 points
  - Prove that your cats do not have parasites - 4 points
  - Prove that your dogs do not have parasites - 4 points
  - Prove that your goats do not have parasites - 4 points
  - Prove that your sheep do not have parasites - 4 points
  - Prove that your turkeys do not have parasites - 4 points
  - Prove that your fish do not have parasites - 4 points
  - Prove that your bees do not have parasites - 4 points
  - Prove that your guinea pigs do not have parasites - 4 points

wood badge

180 points required
Can do up to 30 new points from Sand and Straw lists
Prerequisite:  Complete the Straw BBs proving your animal’s food and water are fit for human consumption
Brainstorming thread: https://permies.com/t/139963/

Required:

  - Care for 6 different species of animal for 6 months - 40 points
      - Provide clearly better conditions than any conventional farm
      - Primarily skiddable shelters
      - No manure handling
      - Less than 2% off property inputs

  - Harvest 200,000 calories from a domestic animal system - 60 points
      - At least 6 animal products -
      - Poultry and Eggs may count as 2
      - Dairy and Beef may count as 2
      - Minimum of 10,000 calories from each of the 6
      - Must be for human consumption

Electives:
  - Harvest 20 lbs of fiber from a domestic animal system - 10 points
      - Cleaned, stored and ready for use for other aspects

  - Harvest 5 square feet of leather - 8 points
      - tanned, stored and ready for use for other aspects
      - only domestic animals count for this BB

  - Harvest 5 square feet of fur - 8 points
      - tanned, stored and ready for use for other aspects
      - only domestic animals count for this BB

  - Seal a 1000 square foot pond with pigs - 12 points
      - Prove it doesn’t hold water prior
      - Prove it does hold water after

  - Grow a large three season nectar harvest for honeybees - 20 points
      - pics and description of planting
      - pics of thousands of blooms at 2 points in each season (six pics total)
      - at least two dozen species
      - species must be ones that attract honeybees
      - Minimum of 1/4 acre, can be divided among multiple locations

  - Arrange a hayless system for a ruminant herd - 20 points

  - Grow forage for chickens/pigs in four paddocks - 10 points
      - at least 12 plant species, obviously more than 20,000 calories of forage per paddock
      - note that 15 pounds of sunchokes are 5000 calories

iron badge

These six species required:
  - Cattle
  - Chickens
  - Hogs
  - Turkey
  - Fish
  - Honeybees

Six more species required (your choice).  Possibilities could be more than what you see on this list:
  - Ducks
  - Guinea fowl
  - Quail
  - Pigeons
  - Geese
  - Guinea pigs for meat
  - Working farm dogs
  - Working farm cats
  - Sheep
  - Goats
  - Llama
  - Alpaca
  - Rabbits

General conditions required for all animals for which it applies:
  - Primarily skiddable shelters
  - No manure handling
  - All of the animal systems must be less than 2% off-site input
  - Hayless (or dramatic hay reduction system) is required
  - Minimal bare dirt under hoof/foot
  - Out in green, lush pasture most of the year
  - Plenty of shady spots
  - Sufficient herd/flock size to satisfy animal’s natural needs
  - Lack of flies, ticks, etc
  - Dry, wind protected shelters
  - Cattle butchering offal goes to chickens, pigs, fish, etc., Chicken goes to the pigs, dogs, fish, etc
  - Little to no predator pressure
  - Parasite and disease checks for all species
  - Their last day and last 15 minutes are calm and relaxing.  Slaughtered on site.

  - Harvest 4 million calories from 9 domestic animal systems (this is the BB)
      - Must include a minimum of:
          - 1 beef animal
          - dairy (5 lbs butter, 5 lbs cheese, 1 qt cream)
          - 100 eggs
          - 12 butchered chicken
          - 6 turkeys
          - 2 hogs
          - 10 lbs fish
          - 10 lbs honey

  - Harvest 80 lbs of fiber from a domestic animal system  (this is the BB)
      - stored and ready for use for other aspects

  - Harvest 20 square feet of leather (this is the BB)
      - tanned, stored and ready for use for other aspects
      - only domestic animals count for this BB

  - Harvest 20 square feet of fur (this is the BB)
      - tanned, stored and ready for use for other aspects
      - only domestic animals count for this BB

Provide proof that you are breeding and nurturing 12 animal species
  - Special note:  We are hoping that by creating these BBs, people will provide suggestions/solutions and they will become 10 times better in a year

  - Pampered or treated better than 98% of other domestic animals
      - Research thread: https://permies.com/t/133897/show-pampering-animals
  - Photo essay talking about signs of health, good breeding and being pampered
  - Parasite check once per season for all species
  - Level 6 animal care is “pampered” and level 7 is “something that would inspire a Disney movie about a little girl and all of her homestead animal friends.”  Provide some evidence that you might be close to level 7.  
  - General examples:
      - Come when called
      - Let them “escape” and show you can call/entice them back easily
      - You drink their water
      - You eat their food
      - You’ve thought deeply about your animal’s fears of predation and act accordingly (ie. not picking up rabbits or especially flipping them over)
      - Just because a human would like your “pampering”, ensure that your critter would
      - Herbal apothecary in their paddocks
      - Sing or play with you
      - Sleep in their shelter for one night
      - Toys and forms of entertainment for the animals
      - Four seasons of pampering
      - Examples of being people friendly
      - Prolific reproduction
      - Prolific meat/milk production
      - Describe your breeding objectives and plan
      - Describe, for each animal, how your breeding objectives breed out dependence on antibiotics
      - A heated shelter for the 12 coldest days of winter
      - Put out food for them for the 12 coldest days of winter

  - Prove you are nurturing your cattle (this is the BB)
      - Minimum of 3 calves from breeding to six months old
      - Come willingly to be milked
      - Scratching posts (ideally trees)

  - Prove you are nurturing your chickens (this is the BB)
      - Chicken breeding program to favor good egg production and foraging on your property
      - Minimum of 100 chickens from hatch to 3 months old under broody hens (no incubators)
      - Winter bug feed system
      - Additional fats and oils in the winter
      - Swings, tethercabbage or similar activities for entertainment in winter
      - Grow winter feed systems

  - Prove you are nurturing your hogs (this is the BB)
      - Minimum of two dozen hogs from birth to six months old
      - Ensure wallow facilities for the 12 hottest days of the year

  - Prove you are nurturing your turkeys (this is the BB)
      - Minimum of a dozen turkeys from under a broody hen to 3 months old
      - Winter bug feed system
      - Additional fats and oils in the winter
      - Swings, tethercabbage or similar activities for entertainment in winter
      - Grow winter feed systems

  - Prove you are nurturing your fish (this is the BB)
      - 12 or more species of aquatic and riparian plants
      - Variety of water depths, rocks, logs, hiding places
      - No supplemental fish food - sufficient bugs/plants/etc for them to forage
      - Perhaps add something in the future to reduce mercury levels in the pond
      - Plenty of oxygen year round
      - Prove sufficient levels for your species with a dissolved oxygen meter
      - Research threads
      - https://permies.com/t/37206/Cleaning-Toxic-Gick-Water-Aquaculture
      - https://permies.com/t/140309/reduce-mercury-fish

  - Prove you are nurturing your honeybees (this is the BB)
      - Pics and description of pollinator planting
      - Pics of tens of thousands of blooms at 2 points in each season (six pics total)
          - at least 12 species blooming per season
          - species must be ones that attract honeybees
          - within 150 feet of the hive (about two acres)
      - Pictures and description of your bear protection system
      - Pictures and description of your additional winter insulation system
      - No paint on hive
      - Bee hut or equivalent system for shade, rain and snow protection
      - Hive(s) at least 1 foot off of the ground
      - Each colony must come from a wild swarm
      - Same colony occupies your hive for 2 years
      - Prove that your colony swarmed at least once
      - Each hive is at least 200 feet from any other hive

  - Prove you are nurturing another species (complete this BB 6 times)
      - BB threads for all other animals will be created as people need them
 
steward
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That looks like a huge amount of work you guys did. Hats off!

What kind of opinions are you looking for?
 
Ash Jackson
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Liv Smith wrote:That looks like a huge amount of work you guys did. Hats off!

What kind of opinions are you looking for?



Thanks! Most of the work (as I understand it) is Paul, Mike, and Ashley.


I think the feedback sought is, "how to prove a thing" and "other tactics to address a thing," broadly speaking.
 
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