The size of your chicken tractor will ultimately depend on the size of your yard and the number of chickens you have. I have seen largest chicken tractors that required a tractor to pull around a paddock down to a small chicken tractor that could hold around 4 to 6 chickens and was ideal for an average size suburban back yard.

I have seen several chicken tractor domes made for use in association with mandala gardens used in Permaculture and by Organic & Natural Farmers and Gardeners. These domes are rotated around a mandala design usually every 2 weeks after which vegetables are planted directly in the soil the chickens have nicely prepared. No weed spraying, digging or additional ground preparation required. There are several websites available with information on these.

Domes have been traditionally made with bamboo, thin lengths of milled timber or thin straight branches. The most common and lightest material used these days is three quarter inch PVC or one inch Poly pipe which can be connected with various joiners available. Wire is then fitted over these dome frames to keep the chickens enclosed. Protective coverings such as old tarps or similar can be used to protect the chickens from the elements of heat during the day and rain or other harsh weather.

Other variations of chicken tractors can be made using timber with wire covering. Sheet wire often referred to as Weld mesh can also be used with or without a steel or timber frame. Commercially available units built like this are available and can be seen in many good organic gardening magazines or online.

Wheels on chicken tractors is a must have (except perhaps for chicken domes). Wheels can be a permanent fixture or designed to attach when the unit needs to be moved. The type of wheels you use will depend on the size of your chicken tractor. Simple wheels like those on your push lawn mower, to wheels used on wheel barrows are ideal. Commercially available chicken tractors are likely to come with pre-attached or are easy to attach yourself.

When considering using a chicken tractor to keep your vegetable garden clean, organic and naturally fertilised, look at the size of your yard and consider your options based on the circumstances you have to work with.

Article written by Eric J. Smith

For some people, permaculture may seem a huge leap and a big change for the average backyard. There are however, some simple basic principles that can be applied to any yard.

Grow Your own Fruit and Vegetables
Growing your own fruit and vegetables in your backyard is easy and can be adapted to any size backyard. Fruits such as Strawberries and Raspberries are easily grown. Most seasonal vegetables can be grown in a domestic setting without major gardening experience.

Breeding and Raising Chickens and Rabbits
Raising rabbits and chickens serves many purposes. Chickens produce eggs and can be used for meat. Rabbits can also be bred for meat. Rabbits and chickens are also great for producing quality fertilizer and are great for removing weeds from garden beds.

Bee Keeping
Not something common for small backyards but larger gardens could be suited to keeping bees. The art of bee keeping is something that should be well researched before beginning.

Rainwater Collection
Rainwater tanks are almost a necessity in backyards today, exceptionally so in a permaculture environment. There are many types of tanks available, from traditional corrugated iron to Plastic and Fibreglass models. Some tanks are designed like bladders that can lay under house floors. Modular units are also available and can be lined up along fences or house walls. These units can be added to overtime, as need increases.

Composting and Worm Farming
Composting is the lifeblood of an Organic backyard and the same applies to a permaculture environment. All the inedible parts of a garden can be added to a compost heap: weeds, old mulch, hay, sawdust, chicken and rabbit manure. Worm farms are the perfect place to get rid of household scraps, peelings etc.

Power Creation
Solar Power is ideal for permaculturalists. It’s a common form of hot water heating and general power creation. Other ways to create power includes wind generation using small roof top turbines.

We can all do small things in our own backyards to help hold back our individual impact on the environment. Starting with a couple of easy to change habits and slowly introducing more as our experience grows.

Permaculture is not about Bullhorns and moon planting’s, it’s simply a way of working with what we have and with, rather than against nature.

And of course, working with the environment rather than against it benefits everyone. Its also fun and relaxing.

Though not hard, Permaculture could be considered a complex system of sustainability. Complex in that it capitalises on the benefits of a complete system.

Besides the obvious productive benefits of permaculture, your garden is a very calming and relaxing place that can restore balance to a stressful life. The fresh air and scenery brings back a sense of belonging with nature.

Key areas of a permaculture design system include:

1. Water – The collection of water forms possibly the most important part of permaculture. Water is the basis of life. Animals need water to drink, as do plants. We all need water to wash, cook and clean things down. Rainwater tanks are a key feature in a Permaculturalists back yard. The collection of grey water for watering the garden is also a must do. On larger properties swales are used to collect, divert or slow the flow of water down banks and slopes.
2. Animals – On small properties and backyards Chickens provide a regular supply of eggs and meat. Rabbits are also common and provide a supply of meat and fur. Choosing the right breed of rabbit can see young rabbits ready to eat by 8 to 12 weeks of age. On larger properties Cattle, Goats, Sheep and pigs provide meat, milk and leather.
3. Power creation – Permaculture systems can see a varied range of power supply from backyard wind generation to generators to Solar panels. Of course, although many permaculturalists will aim to be as self sufficient as possible, the use of mains electricity is still used by most Suburban Permies.
4. Shelter – I have seen many homes built using permaculture principles. From Mud brick homes built from bricks made on the property to mud covered straw bale homes. Traditional building materials and methods are also used.
5. Fruit, Vegetables and Grain – The list would not be complete without mentioning the Organic growing of Fruit, Vegetables and Grains. The animals have to eat something, so do you. Plants provide the basis for compost as well. Many vegetables and salad greens can be grown throughout the year in many areas.

Of course permaculture is much more than just the few things listed here. Permaculture holds a strong basis as a key measure to feeding the world one backyard at time. It requires an undertaking of personal responsibility and provides a level of Autonomy that no external governing system can deliver.