Chickens- A Permaculture Perspective

Join us at the Green House Farm for a Permaculture perspective on raising backyard chickens! Chickens can play an important role in a sustainable permaculture system.

In this class, we’ll discuss the useful role for chickens at any scale, from large scale farming, to small backyard gardens. We will examine how chickens can enhance the sustainability of a permaculture sys- tem, both in terms of what they can provide, and what you can provide for them.

The Green House Farm is a small, half-acre experiment on an irrigated lot in Central Phoenix, that em- ploys multiple gardening methodologies, including a chicken system: (coop / yard / forage), fruit tree guilds and an acceptance of many of the suburban pioneer species: (used for micro-climate develop- ment and green manuring potential). A large vegetable garden is part of the site, and also a variety of food producing trees including10 small citrus trees, over 18 other small fruit trees: (pommes, stone fruits, and figs) and several mesquite juliflora. Other permaculture strategies employed on site include multiple forms of passive and active soil building systems: (sheet mulching, cold row composting, and a 7 bin hot / active composting system (utilizing coffee shop / restaurant waste as part of the input)). Edible food gardening strategies include: (polyculture succession, traditional intensive, and early guild development techniques).

Please join us for an open, often lively exchange of ideas, disbelief and doubt ... and maybe even a little learning exchange along the way!