Investing More In American Dominiques

[centrarchid]

Here is some cool images of barn.

I just checked to see if I can see into barn from porch with aid of flashlight. Yes, I can! Work will be done around perimeter. Dominiques will not be free-ranged in area of barn unless within a fence. A small group of game pullets will be so kept.

 

[aart]

Nice!!

 

[centrarchid]

I am going to attempt having at least the lighting and supplemental ventilation off-grid. Pictures of surroundings will guide expansion of free-ranging area hopefully without culmination in a bunch of dirt patches. This to support 75 American Dominique hens so some very different approaches will be employed.

 

[centrarchid]

Now is time to get setup on dusting stations for each pen to control mites. Normally mites for me are not a problem but as birds are transitioned to the Fort Knox configuration mites are likely to be a real challenge. Also nasty critters life intestinal worms will also be more problematic as those are usually controlled by simply moving pens about and allowing ground to rest.

 

[aart]

I am going to attempt having at least the lighting and supplemental ventilation off-grid.......

Solar powered?

 

[centrarchid]

Off-grid operation has been an interest of mine for some time. Wife and I have discussed such for house which likely doable on electricity side since power consumption is so low. With power consumption lower yet is has a very large footprint. I am in a area where global warming might make off-grid operation more practical both during winter and summer. Will force exercising noodle to do so..

 

[aart]

Off-grid operation has been an interest of mine for some time. Wife and I have discussed such for house which likely doable on electricity side since power consumption is so low. With power consumption lower yet is has a very large footprint. I am in a area where global warming might make off-grid operation more practical both during winter and summer. Will force exercising noodle to do so..

So...solar, wind?

 

[centrarchid]

Solar. Wind not reliable enough at altitudes I can afford to reach. Some solar will be converted to electricity either for immediate use or storage as chemical energy in batteries for later electricity use. Most solar will be used to provide heat in winter or facilitate air exchange during heat of day when needed most. Note how open the barn front is as that facilitates exhausting hot / humid air especially when sunlight warms roof.

 

[aart]

Solar. Wind not reliable enough at altitudes I can afford to reach. Some solar will be converted to electricity either for immediate use or storage as chemical energy in batteries for later electricity use. Most solar will be used to provide heat in winter or facilitate air exchange during heat of day when needed most. Note how open the barn front is as that facilitates exhausting hot / humid air especially when sunlight warms roof.

Ah, so mostly passive solar.

 

[centrarchid]

Yes, it will be enhanced through modest aquaculture activity where evaporation promotes swamp cooler effect and also helps move air by changing density. Sunlight provides the energy speeding evaporation. Aquaculture will be split between shade and sunlit areas.