August 2007 Open House with afternoon seminar on:

'Chickenomics'

Sunday August 5 , 2007
10:00 Overview of CSC and community of Stelle
11:15 Tour of community (Solar & wind applications, gardens, etc…)
12:15 Lunch (Made with garden produce and herbs – vegetarian option)
1:30 Seminar - 'Chickenomics'

Afternoon ‘CHICKENOMICS’ WORKSHOP 1:30-4:00pm

Come see why everyone is jumping on the poultry bandwagon - or should we say chicken tractor.

If you are thinking about getting a few chickens or starting a poultry business this is the workshop for you! There was a time not long ago when almost every rural and some town households kept at least a few chickens. Besides the delicious and healthy eggs and meat they provide, chickens eat table scraps and many harmful insects, their waste makes wonderful fertilizer and they are really fun to have around. Chickens are one of the easiest animals to keep even if you only have a small piece of property. Using a chicken tractor will reduce the effort and cost even further.

Ed Homier, Stelle’s poultry co-op manager and Jim Duggan, owner of Nisse Farm will give you the basics of raising and keeping chickens. They will begin with how to decide on a breed and where to find them. Find out their day to day requirements such as feeding, watering and housing especially the advantages of using a chicken tractor.

So what in the world is a chicken tractor????

Chicken Tractors

A chicken tractor is a small coop, usually on wheels, that is moved regularly wherever the chickens (or any poultry species) can have access to good foraging. They can have access to plentiful insects (one of their favorite foods), can eat growing plants, and there is no waste buildup to deal with.

Bring Your Hammers!!!!

Even if you have never built a thing before, Jim & Ed will lead you through the construction of a chicken tractor step by step.

See first hand how the tractors are being used by Stelle’s Chicken Co-op.

Learn what the considerations are of managing a movable coop including nesting boxes, roosting spots, feeders and predator concerns.

Jim & Ed will share with you what design elements have worked and which ones have not.

Our Presenters:

Jim Duggan

Jim Duggan

Jim has spent most of the last 10 years living on two separate small farms. Jim and his wife, Julie Larsen currently care for 11 hens on their small, sustainable farm in Manteno. Their current chicken project entails using the hens to control parasites and fertilize their organic fruit orchard. The chicken tractor they are currently building will be the key to making this happen. Prior to farm life Jim was a Master Gardener in Chicago and was on the original staff of Green Corps Chicago. A project to assist community groups in improving their neighborhoods through gardening and community building. Jim is currently a school principal in the Chicago area.

Cost is $25 with handouts on building materials, costs and plans included.

Location: Stelle’s Gardens and Orchard
Please email us or call 815-256-2204 if you plan on attending
so we can make adequate arrangements for food and space. Thank You --
Click here for directions to Stelle and the CSC building.