New Poop Machine

[greenmonster714]

It appears the Easter Bunny has delivered a new bunny. Meet Hopper the mini poop machine. Soon to be a full sized model. More size more poo. Always a good thing. I've gotta figure a way to put some wheels on the cage so I can position it in areas I want to grow in next year. Rabbit dropping are excellent organic dirt building material. No grass or weed seed like horse or cow poop.

 

[alPol05]

Great idea. Don't let anything go to waste.

Wiktor

 

[deluxestogie]

I've gotta figure a way to put some wheels on the cage so I can position it in areas I want to grow in next year.

Do a Google search for chicken tractor. Then click on the images tab. The articles are specific for chickens or ducks, but the images are a trove of concepts.

Bob

 

[greenmonster714]

Never thought of that. Thanks for the idea Bob.

 

[deluxestogie]

Chickens have to roam on the ground, while rabbits are often left in their cages. So the design considerations just come down to where to place the axle in relation to the center of gravity, and how long to make the lift arms. Despite the numerous chicken tractor designs with tiny wheels (suitable for rolling on a cement floor), bicycle wheels with fat, off-road tires are the way to go for something you intend to trundle across the garden. [I guess the best plans might be some of the DIY garden carts.]

Bob

 

[greenmonster714]

I've been checking out rabbit and chicken tractors. Maybe in the future I'd like to build a rabbit tractor like some pictured in a Google search. The only issue with rabbits is they will dig out so anything I built would have to have a wire floor. My existing cage will work for now and yes I agree wide tires would be the way to go. Trying to drag a cage through soft ground would be a chore.

I've got a whole year to improve my garden plot soil and the rabbit poo will help a lot. I may even look into some cover crop planting. Between old barn hay, rabbit poop, cover crop, and forest leaf I should be able to build some decent plots for next year.

What other stuff would you suggest I add into the soil?

 

[deluxestogie]

What other stuff would you suggest I add into the soil?

Goats?

In the Greek tobacco region surrounding Xanthi, they graze their goats on the delicious sprouts of a spring-time cover crop planted in the tobacco beds. The goats show their appreciation by urinating and defecating on the soil. Voilá! Aromatic Xanthi tobacco!

Bob

 

[greenmonster714]

Funny you mentioned that. Was just chatting with the wife the other day about goats. Not only are they great for what your talking about. They are awesome at clearing brush. I may look into them soon. They are easy to keep. Ya only need a little hay in the winter and a few round bales would probably be plenty for three or four goats. I've got dogs, cats, horses, and rabbits so what's a few goats gonna hurt..lol.

 

[deluxestogie]

Don't show this to your wife.

Bob

 

[BigBonner]

Goats are not my favorite animal . My son bought a few goats and raised some babies from them to sell . They are more aggravating than any animal I know . The will jump , climb and get out through the tinniest little hole .
That is when you find them in your garden or on top of your truck or car . Flowers and rose bushes seem to be a good treat as they will clean all the leaves right off any plant .

 

[deluxestogie]

My next door neighbor's college-age son had a half-dozen goats, which he milked. They were fenced with 4' box fence with two rows of electric fence. That kept the adults in, and prevented them from constantly stretching the fence to reach a bit of grass on the other side. But the small kids could just walk right through the box fence, and eat anything they got to (small fruit trees, garden plants, weeds and brush). This required adding a low panel of smaller box fence, until they got bigger.

When the son graduated, and moved out--selling the goats, his dad was all smiles.

I used to enjoy talking to the goats, and scratching their chins.

Bob

 

[greenmonster714]

Don't show this to your wife.

Bob

She would love this picture. Goats are amazing climbers. I had a small nanny goat when I was a kid. It was just like having another dog. But they can be pretty mischievous.