Last week, the Goldstream Farmers Market was cancelled due to air quality issues. Smoke from the wildfires in the area was drifting into Fairbanks, resulting in conditions too extreme for conducting business outdoors. In consequence, we were not able to sell any of the chicken meat we have harvested. That problem, mostly an inconvenience, rippled […]
In Fairbanks, bird vetch (vicia cracca) is truly tenacious, invasive plant that defies all but the most dedicated efforts to its removal. In our lot across the street it has established a sprawling colony on the north side of the field. We don’t use that area for anything the vetch would harm and it generally
The temperatures in the biomeiler pile are measured with thermocouples buried in several locations. Nine of them are found at three heights (1’, 2’, and 3’ above the ground) in the inner core, outer core, and mantle of the pile. The graph in today’s post shows the temperatures measured by thermocouples at 3’ height. These
June Experimental Results, part 2 Read More »
The graph shows the temperature in the chicken coop, the temperature of the air in the vent pipe coming from the biomeiler, and the temperature of the outdoor air. The electrical energy usage would be shown for any days when the electric heater was used, but it was not needed this month. During the month
June Experimental Results Read More »
The chokecherries on our lots have been blooming for some time. Today they caught my attention in particular. The sky was a clear blue and there was enough of a breeze that some falling petals swirled along twisting paths as they drifted to the ground. The sunlight on the white blossoms made for such a
This is the first year that we have used heat shrink bags for the whole chickens. It is a better way to store the whole birds than using resealable freezer bags, but it requires the use of single-use plastic, which we try to avoid. We made the change since we are will be selling
Packaging the Broilers Read More »
Today was the 54th day for the Cornish Cross broilers. We harvested the 12 largest of the 50 and found some surprises, both positive and negative. #1. These birds stink. The Cornish Cross broilers have no inclination to scratch at the litter in the coop. The floor soon becomes messy no matter how careful
First Broiler Harvest Read More »
The first step in the process of preparing the field for planting was to clear the ground of fallen trees by cutting them into firewood. I limited myself to the trees which were either a direct impediment to tilling, or so close to the field as to limit my movement in the vicinity. Selective though
The Cornish Cross broilers recently underwent a noticeable change in their feather cover. They are still bald under their wings and on their bellies, but their backs and wings better resemble normal chickens. Their appetites are immense. These birds are the embodiment of hunger and fall upon the feeders with manic enthusiasm. After gorging themselves,
42-Day Broiler Update Read More »
Possibly, after observing the great enjoyment and satisfaction I derive from my research with the biomeiler, Melissa was inspired to begin a composting experiment of her own. She had me make two wire mesh cylinders 3’ in diameter and 28” tall. In one cylinder, she alternated layers of thatch from the back yard pile and
Melissa’s Compost Bins Read More »