Comments on: Chicken Scavenging System http://sustainablesmallholding.org Permaculture, and Sustainable practices on a Lincolnshire Smallholding Sun, 05 Feb 2017 15:17:11 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=4.7.3 By: Rick Cross http://sustainablesmallholding.org/diploma/project-7/#comment-119009 Fri, 07 Nov 2014 08:59:08 +0000 http://deanom.wordpress.com/?page_id=1819#comment-119009 Many Thanks for your detailed research and exaplanations of your chicken forage system design and developments .
I was also inspired by John Seymoor and have returned to this path later in life!
On my 2 acre site in Cumbria I am developing a similar smaller system.
I have a problem with Juncus reeds invading my lower meadow and have found it provides a good deep mulch that is slow to break down and rich in invertebrates to help to feed my Marsh Daisy Chickens. Also holly hedging provides both winter cover and leaves that are slow to decompose in the litter layer.
I am keen to share ideas and experiences and will keep in touch.

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By: Deano Martin http://sustainablesmallholding.org/diploma/project-7/#comment-62905 Tue, 26 Aug 2014 07:53:26 +0000 http://deanom.wordpress.com/?page_id=1819#comment-62905 Hi diane
Sorry for not replying sooner.
The eleqagnus planted on a slight rise/slope have done Ok.
Those on the flat, and therefore more prone to waterlogging are alive, but struggling.
I’ve planted some lower growing running bamboo to fill that niche instead.

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By: Diane http://sustainablesmallholding.org/diploma/project-7/#comment-52295 Wed, 06 Aug 2014 20:22:11 +0000 http://deanom.wordpress.com/?page_id=1819#comment-52295 Hi Deano,
Thanks so much for posting up your thoughts, ideas and findings, it’s all really interesting. I’m curious to know how your eleagnus got on being that it’s two years planted now? I’ve a similar site I’d like to plant up with similar constrants such as wetness and would love to know if you think that particular shrub worth the effort.
Thanks for reading,
Diane

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By: Deano Martin http://sustainablesmallholding.org/diploma/project-7/#comment-22346 Sat, 15 Mar 2014 06:34:10 +0000 http://deanom.wordpress.com/?page_id=1819#comment-22346 Hi Kevin
The bamboo is in a space where it can run for quite some way before it becomes a nuisance. It normally runs excessively if it is in need of something, light, water, nutrients. Only water is likely to be a slight limitation, but with a swale not far above (North), I’m hoping that is going to be less of a problem. So right plant/right space. Were I planning a planting in a more restrictive space, I would have to use something less likely to spread, but would lose the edible conmponent. Most of the clumpers are edible, but too small to be worth the effort. Chusquea coleou is probably the most useful species in that situation.
Inside the Chicken Scavenging area it’s spread will be restricted by harvesting shoots for food, and mature canes for a heap of other purposes. It is possible to encourage it to shoot from within it’s own spread by pruning to allow light inside the area in which it is already growing. The light encourages shoots from resting buds on the rhizomes.
Any shoots that go outside of the fenced area will be fair game for rabbits and deer. Anything left will be cut back for fuel.
Finally I’ll return to my original point. The bamboo has to run for 30 – 40 meters to reach the closest property boundary, which has a road to act as a barrier. It’s a hundred meters to the next closest boundary. Nothing to fear in my lifetime.
All of the best
Deano

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By: Kevin Mascarenhas http://sustainablesmallholding.org/diploma/project-7/#comment-22345 Sat, 15 Mar 2014 06:14:08 +0000 http://deanom.wordpress.com/?page_id=1819#comment-22345 Hello Deano,

I’m interested in your thinking about running vs clumping bamboo. I can see from your reasoning why you have selected a running bamboo. But how will you manage and control its naturally invasive habit?

Could there be unintended consequences here? Not likely! I’m sure you’ve thought this through and I would love to hear your thoughts.

Best wishes
Kevin

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