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Animal Systems at HEPA, Vietnam

Marty Miller-Crispe — Wed, 18 May 2011 15:35:43 +0000

At SPERI’s Human Ecology Project Area we have a number of Farmer Field Schools (HEPA FFS) which are host to students from a variety of indigenous minority groups from Vietnam and Laos. The students are here to learn about eco-farming and permaculture whilst respecting traditional laws and customs. The main focus of the farms isn’t [...]

Ecofilms 2011 – What Are We Working On?

Ecofilms — Sun, 02 Jan 2011 11:59:37 +0000

We’re planning a number of exciting new titles to be released in 2011. Urban Permaculture DVD One of the complaints we often get from people living in the city is that we focus a little heavily on Permaculture titles that require a large scale farm to get the most benefit from practicing Permaculture. So we are happy to [...]

How to Make a Home Made Chicken Feeder

Jesse Lemieux — Thu, 14 Oct 2010 16:37:44 +0000

Editor’s Note: There are still some places left on Jesse’s PDC course at PRI’s Zaytuna Farm in NSW, Australia. Book now! by Jesse Lemieux Last Thursday afternoon, at approximately 4:00pm Tanya asked me, “What about the chickens?” “Oops I hadn’t thought about that.” Recently, we got our hands on three Chantecler pullets. The Chantecler is [...]

How to Make an Egg Mobile

Geoff Lawton — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 16:42:32 +0000

So, we wanted to make an egg mobile for egg laying chickens to follow behind our dairy cows and fertilise the pasture while scratching the manure that the cows leave behind. The chickens also leave behind their own manure whilst free ranging across pasture. This technique allows the chickens to supplement their diet and produce [...]

Life at Zaytuna – Part I

Craig Mackintosh PRI Editor — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 04:59:03 +0000

Profuse apologies for the lack of posts over the last week. I’ve been organising and actioning travel to PRI’s headquarters – Zaytuna Farm in northern NSW – from where I live in Europe. Now that I’m here, I hope to give you better insights into the life and developments on the farm and with the [...]

Each Step is the Way – Part II

David Perkins — Sat, 09 May 2009 19:02:21 +0000

[Editor's Note: If you are involved in a project, anywhere, that is rooted in sustainability (i.e. that is aimed at sustainably meeting the needs of people, place and planet), then we always welcome written pieces, with photos, so you can tell the world about it - and inspire people to follow your lead. David's post [...]

The One Duck Revolution

Bill Mollison — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 17:04:21 +0000

PIJ #58, Mar – May 1996 Aigamo ducks in rice paddy Mr. Takao Furuno’s modest business card reveals that he is a farmer in a world where “one duck creates boundless treasure”. He farms rice very successfully in Japan and is a private aid volunteer, working in Vietnam when [...]

Permaculture Pooch

Alanna Moore — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 06:20:23 +0000

Alanna Moore is the author of ‘Backyard Poultry – Naturally‘ – where you can read more about Vikki and poultry care, including a permaculture approach to keeping them.

You don’t often hear about the positives of dog ownership, in a permaculture sense. My Jack Russell terrier Vikki is a permaculture farm dog, who works for her keep – a real ‘WOOFer’. Not only does she provide a 24 hour fox warning system, but she also uses special skills with the rare poultry I keep.

Vikki can catch a chook on the run. One mention of "catch the birdie" and she flies off in hot pursuit, to finally land on top of the target bird and hold it firmly (but unharmed) underneath her until I arrive on the scene. Other Jack Russel owners can’t believe it’s true. One guy lost 57 chickens to his dog in three minutes! Vikki’s dad happens to be a chook killer too.

Her breed was developed to hunt rats and rabbits – no wonder they are such a popular farmers’ companion. I’ve heard of Jack Russells who climb the macadamia trees in the plantations near us, and catch rats red handed. When Vikki used to catch rabbits on my property she would bring them home for butchering and enjoy the spoils of the hunt for dinner. Not surprisingly, the rabbits keep well away these days. She also chases doves from freeloading in the chook feed bowls, keeps goshawks from snatching chickens and warns us of snake presence and visitor arrivals.

Instincts Modified by Training

Vikki’s natural instincts have been modified by lots of good training. When we got her at 5 weeks of age we put silky chickens and baby guinea pigs in her bed for her to bond with. She would happily doze off cuddling a fuffy fat pig, who would sneak off to the other end of the box with great relief when she finally fell asleep. The farm animals became family, with Vikki their protector. Lots of discipline and patience were needed in the learning process along the way. Training was hard work at times. Now she loves to please us and revels in her farm work.

All domesticated animals are a nuisance if not trained or managed correctly. If we provide them with proper sustenance, protection and the freedom to follow their natural behaviours, they can be so rewarding to us. When people and other animals have symbiotic partnerships of mutual benefit that also create ecological balance, it is a natural harmony. Our animal allies have much to teach us.