The chickens live in the chicken tractor and scratch, eat, and defecate on the ground surface. This process turns over the shallow surface, hence the 'tractor' reference. As the surface is sufficiently worked by the chickens, the tractor is moved to another space, repeating the process. The consumption of plants, seeds, and insects reduces plant growth and insect population, and the defecation nourishes the soil. Conventional chicken houses produce a volume of chicken waste with very high Nitrate concentration, which will burn many plants if used directly and therefore must be composted. The chicken tractor eliminates these handling and processing needs.
A chicken tractor will work on any flat surface with a substrate that supports plants and insects. Its main benefits are that it is a means of having free-range chickens and its attended benefits, but with better control/protection of the chickens. Moving it around permits more localized vegetation management, and keeps chickens out of gardens. Read more...We continue to develop resources related to the COVID-19 pandemic. See COVID-19 initiatives on Appropedia for more information.
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We develop knowledge to build rich, sustainable lives (read our vision and mission). Explore solutions for sustainability, appropriate technology, poverty reduction, and permaculture. You are encouraged to add to and edit Appropedia with your original research on these subjects. To learn more about appropriate technology, we invite you to check Portal:Appropriate technology. |
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Rainwater catchment around the world. Get a paperback on Amazon or free digitally at http://www.tocatchtherain.org. |
 The name "chicken tractor" is somewhat misleading, since no conventional motorized devices are used. A chicken tractor is little more than an open-bottom cage for chickens, which is light enough to be moved on the ground from location to another.
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 "It can be built as a : Do-It-Yourself (DIY) project where expert masonry skills are not required" and "by using common and inexpensive materials available anywhere."
Read more or check our book
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Engr305 Appropriate Technology Projects: Below are selected service learning projects from Engr305 Appropriate Technology, which is a course on appropriate technology at Humboldt State University taught by instructor Lonny Grafman.
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Jul 2 India news: "The extraordinary agency of ordinary villagers": India's rural areas show enduring self-reliance, under the toughest conditions [1]
Jun 28 Towards sustainable economies UK: Just 6% of UK public 'want a return to pre-pandemic economy' [2]
Jun 21 UK Climate news: Britain still failing on climate crisis, warn advisers [3]
Jun 21 France: La convention citoyenne pour le climat souhaite un référendum sur la Constitution et le crime d’« écocide » [4]
Jun 17 Biodiversity news: Pandemics result from destruction of nature, say UN and WHO [5]
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The basis of natural building is the need to lessen the environmental impact of buildings and other supporting systems, without sacrificing comfort, health or aesthetics. To be more sustainable, natural building uses primarily abundantly available, renewable, reused or recycled materials. The use of rapidly renewable materials is increasingly a focus. In addition to relying on natural building materials, the emphasis on the architectural design is heightened. The orientation of a building, the utilization of local climate and site conditions, the emphasis on natural ventilation through design, fundamentally lessen operational costs and positively impact the environmental. Building compactly and minimizing the ecological footprint is common, as are on-site handling of energy acquisition, on-site water capture, alternate sewage treatment and water reuse. |
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