permaculture

["Jeff Hall" <JRHALL@gwgate.lib.iastate.edu>]

Just wanted to update folks that this idea is working pretty well. I cut a 
hole in an acryllic sheet in the window, and put two levels of "steps" on 
either side. I cut a groove in 2x2s attached to the window, and slide a door 
through pulleys to the roost. Took hours and hours, stopping and mentally 
testing each problem, but it was good.

I did lose one red star last week, several days after the first big cold 
snap, I'm not sure if she died from being locked out on a cold night (2 long 
bricks equals 6 chickens), or other causes. The others seem to be adapting 
well. They do complain, asking for a woodstove and such, to no avail.

Could anyone refer me to the most extensive list of black walnut-tolerant 
species that they know of? There are some in front and a row directly behind 
the chicken coop, so minimum distances recommended from the dripline would be 
very helpful.

Thanks! 
-Jeff Hall, Ames Iowa (tall grass prairie, turtle island)


In a message dated 10/12/98 10:24:27 AM, JRHALL@gwgate.lib.iastate.edu wrote:

<<Does anyone have information on how to open and close a chicken coop door
automatically, using a photo sensor or timer? <<