At Farmville Gardens, we are passionate about creating a sustainable and harmonious environment for all living beings. We have a diverse forest ecosystem that hosts many birds, turtles, rabbits, and other wild creatures. However, we do not have any livestock or other farm animals on the property yet. We want to introduce animals to the land only after we begin living there and have agreement as a group.
We believe that animals can play an important role in our permaculture system. They can provide us with food, fiber, fertilizer, pest control, companionship, and more. They can also help us achieve some of the 12 principles of permaculture, such as:
- Obtain a yield: We can harvest eggs, milk, honey, meat, wool, or other products from our animals.
- Use and value renewable resources and services: We can use animal manure to enrich our soil, animal fur or feathers to make clothing or bedding, or animal power to move materials or even plow fields if required.
- Produce no waste: We can feed our animals with food scraps, weeds, or crop residues, and use their waste to make compost or biogas.
- Integrate rather than segregate: We can design our farm to create beneficial relationships between plants and animals, such as planting trees for shade and shelter, growing crops that attract pollinators or repel pests, or rotating animals through different paddocks to improve soil fertility and prevent overgrazing.
However, we also recognize that animals have needs and preferences that we must respect and fulfill. We want to ensure their health, welfare, and productivity by providing them with adequate food, water, shelter, space, and care. Therefore, we plan to follow these 10 steps before introducing animals to the land:
- Consult among ourselves regarding which animals to take on, how many, and the desired outcome. We will consider the costs and benefits of each animal species, as well as their suitability for our climate, terrain, and goals. We will also determine who will take care of them, who has an interest in them, and what to do when they multiply.
- Secure fencing appropriate to the species, keeping in mind water access and rotational grazing paddocks if applicable. We will use fencing materials that are durable, safe, and environmentally friendly. We will also design our fences to allow wildlife movement and prevent conflicts with predators or neighbors.
- Build adequate shelter for them. Shelters should be designed to protect the animals from heavy rain, cold winds, snow and hail, and predators. They should be well-ventilated, clean, and spacious enough for the animals to move around freely. We will use natural or recycled materials as much as possible and incorporate passive solar heating or cooling techniques if needed.
- Provide clean water: Access to clean and fresh water is essential for the health of our animals. We will install water troughs or automatic waterers that are easy to fill and clean. We will also plan to catch and store rainwater or use renewable energy sources to pump water from wells or streams.
- Provide adequate food and nutrition: We will feed our animals with a balanced and nutritious diet that is appropriate for their species and age. Besides rich grazing as a food source, we will supplement their diet with hay, grains, minerals, or other feeds as needed. We will store feed in a dry and cool place to prevent spoilage.
- Develop a biosecurity plan that includes regular monitoring and preventive measures to prevent the spread of diseases. This should include measures such as keeping the farm clean; isolating new animals; monitoring the health of existing animals; vaccinating; deworming; treating any injuries or illnesses; quarantining sick animals; disposing of dead animals properly; and keeping records of animal health history.
- Establish a good working relationship with a local veterinarian who can provide support for the care of our animals. We will consult with them regularly about any health issues or concerns we have about our animals. We will also seek their advice on best practices for animal husbandry and welfare.
- Properly manage and utilize animal waste by composting or spreading on fields. We will collect animal manure regularly from shelters or paddocks and turn it into compost that can be used to fertilize our crops or gardens. Alternatively, we can spread manure directly on fields as a natural fertilizer or mulch. We can also use animal waste to produce biogas, which is a renewable source of energy that can be used for cooking, heating, or lighting. By doing this, we are following the permaculture principle of producing no waste and using and valuing renewable resources and services.
- Free range grazing: We will ensure our animals have enough space to move around freely. Overcrowding can lead to stress, disease, and injury. We plan to practice rotational grazing, which means moving our animals to different paddocks or areas regularly. This can help prevent overgrazing, control weeds, reduce parasites, and improve soil health.
- Daily monitoring of our animals to detect any signs of illness, injury, or distress. We will observe our animals closely and check their behavior, appearance, appetite, and output. We will also handle our animals gently and respectfully, and provide them with enrichment activities to keep them happy and stimulated.
By following these steps, we hope to create a permaculture farm that is productive, resilient, and ethical. We welcome your questions, suggestions, and thoughts about what animals you favor!