Category: Housing

Deep-Litter Method for Chicken Coops: Save and Repurpose! — From Contributor Eric McGlynn

July 8, 2019

Chickens are capable of producing a prodigious amount of manure. When concentrated into a confined area and trampled, this manure requires frequent removal. Additionally, chicken feet and plumage often carry remnants of manure. It is likely that the hobbyist and homesteader alike have lamented the smells, smears, and soiled conditions that can be common to … More Deep-Litter Method for Chicken Coops: Save and Repurpose! — From Contributor Eric McGlynn

Visit our Libraries, Both Tool and Book Varieties!

February 19, 2019

Friend of the institute, Lynn L., recently donated two decades–worth of Small Farmer’s Journal to our lending library. Thanks to Lynn for her generosity and thanks also for reminding me to promote these community resources! Resource Library Our resource library can be accessed from any page on our website by going to the “Libraries” in … More Visit our Libraries, Both Tool and Book Varieties!

New Video: No. 13 — Timberframe Chicken Coop, Part I

August 20, 2018

I’ve been working on a chicken coop over the last year, first felling the trees and then hewing the timbers. In this video, I show the process through erection of the coop’s frame. In the next video, I’ll show the roofing and wall construction. Please remember to subscribe to our YouTube Channel! You can find … More New Video: No. 13 — Timberframe Chicken Coop, Part I

Chicken Coop Update

July 23, 2018

Many of you will remember that I’m building a timber-frame chicken coop from dying spruce trees downed on the institute grounds, shown in the video below. After felling, these trees were turned into timbers and put together into a boxy 6-×-6-ft coop. The roof was covered with scavenged cedar shingles. Right after getting the structure … More Chicken Coop Update

Tool Library Grand Opening — Saturday, June 23, 9 a.m.–noon

June 19, 2018

Just in time for all your summer projects, we’re opening the tool library this-coming Saturday. The Low Tech Tool Library works just like a book library, but instead of Poe and Austen, we have hammers and saws. This Saturday morning, we’ll officially open the library with some light refreshments and an open house from 9 … More Tool Library Grand Opening — Saturday, June 23, 9 a.m.–noon