permaculture

Workshop Module 10: Animal Systems 287

Creative thinking : Design an animal rotation system (Animal Ex. 1)

Method : Participatory small group designs

Tools : Large paper, markers

References : PC Book MOD 10 – Animal Systems; PC Book MOD 7 – Farming;

PC Book MOD 8 – Forests, Tree Crops, and Bamboo;

PC Book MOD 9 – Integrated Pest Management

Objective : Participants practice designing animal rotation systems

Note: This exercise is essential no matter how many other exercises in this series are
used.

Identify a few different system ideas for the participants to use as a base to create their
designs. The systems will vary depending on each location and the participants. Write or
draw up a ‘Rotation system card’ to represent each system, for example:

• Chickens and vegetables. • Ducks and vegetables.


• Chickens, pigs, and vegetables. • Goats and tree crops.


• Cows and tree crops. • Goats and large grain/bean crops.


• Ducks, rice, and beans. • Buffalo, ducks, and rice.

Step 1 - Form workgroups

Ask the participants to split up into smaller workgroups.

Step 2 - Orientation and design

• Each group chooses a ‘Rotation system card’ at random.


• Each group can create a simple map or list to explain their rotation plan.
  The groups can design their rotation systems any way they choose using the
  following guidelines:
  
  
  • How large is each section?
  
  
  • How many animals is the optimum number for the system?
  
  
  • How many sections will there be in the rotation system?
  
  
  • How long will the animals stay in each section?
  
  
  • How will the animals be controlled and kept in each section?
  
  
  • How many times can energy and resources, like water or fences, be reused
    or shared in the rotation system?
  
  
  • Where are the animals housed at night?
  
  
  • Do the animals need extra food?
  
  
  • How will the animals receive water?
  
  
  
  

Step 3 - Presentation for feedback and inputs

After each workgroup has completed their rotation systems, they can present them to

the entire group for feedback and other suggestions.

EXERCISE

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