Zeus forero

I would consider perlite as the insulator from the foundation and not so much as a long term shock absorber.

You could make a lumber+plywood box and fill it with sheep wool (low quality cut) or compressed straw. If you only have access to hay I would use a rubber ring/gasket or grease seal around the edges

It has been a nice experience and you're right as long there's more food and water in the acreage than in the forest they usually stick around. It was quite a learning curve for them too, to go from raised cages from their previous owners to a large open area, as some of them ate wild mushrooms that weren't any good for them

Trying out a cob hive, it will nice if they swarm before spring

The main frame for the chicken coop is finished, the door frame and egg hatches will be added before the straw/clay mix.
Let me know if you sell willow cuttings! I bought some expensive ones for a live fence and they didn't survive rooting

Hi Claudia,

There's a person in South or North Carolina that builds with cob. He has great information and might be able to guide you with the permit process

https://youtube.com/@thiscobhouse?si=FcBq1kbtGgugVxyd

www.thiscobhouse.com

I made a two portable watering/bait station to find wild hives. I located three different hives that I hope to welcome to the homestead before winter.

I didn't have to bury the fence and the rabbits made an amazing burrow at the base of three in their enclosure, after two months I started letting the rabbits free range through the farm and they always return to their burrow.
I guess I got lucky with well behaved rabbits but it could also be that they realized the only water nearby is inside the fenced area.

Try to put the light as close as possible without burning them, since have halogen lights 3" to 6" should do the trick. Check for dehydration and adjust the distance to lower that side effect