Nick inside his newly completed Geodesic ChookDome, pre-chook.

A while ago we discovered online the ultimate plan for a Chook Dome which was stronger, faster and better than any others we had ever come across before (ok maybe not faster)... Nick whacked one together and it has been helping us establish the top Food Forest ever since, along with its 6 or so feathered residents. What's even more exciting than playing Buckminster Fuller with white plastic piping, however, is being able to share this great construction with the rest of you. The Geodesic ChookDome's creator, Robert Freeman, has kindly offered us to host the plans for this fabulous construction over in our How-To section. So git on down to How To: build a Geodesic Chook Dome and find out how to get your garden's fertility on the up and up. Also watch out for the video how-to here soon. Possibly followed by a run of 'Gosh I love Geodesic ChookDomes' T-shirts and bumper stickers. Maybe.

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Comments (8)

Heidi said:

this looks like a possible solution to our chook home research. a few q's - how do you think it would go on sloping ground? how predator proof do you think it would be? could i make it smaller for less chooks? is there a door to get in out out?

August 10, 2009

Nicko said:

Hi Heidi, We are on the side of a hill and it works great. Our slope is about 1 in 8. So far it's been completely predator proof. Initially I kept lots of rocks on the skirt to make sure foxes wouldn't get in... but now i hardly bother. In the main article you can see the door. It's hinged at the bottom. Smaller would work.... but you might need to do some calculations

August 10, 2009 | url

Evan Ward said:

Thank you guys and Robert Freeman for putting the how to onto your website! I've been experimenting with building chook domes out of split bamboo. Here in Northland, New Zealand there are km's of bamboo shelter belts. I started off with Linda Woodrows design, but the more "organic" nature of the bamboo means some bits are more bendy than others. Which is great if you want a wind sculpture, and the chooks dont seem to mind - but I dont want to move it too much. Enter the geodesic dome. I whipped up one of the milkwood specials, and with only half of the hoops in it is already stronger than my old one! The geodesic structure handles the bamboos' nature really well. The end dome will probably be lighter than the plastic ones so it'll need to be staked down well. We are joining our bamboo by drilling and wiring together with soft tie wire, but you could also use lashing if you wanted it to last longer and be stronger. Cheers for the website guys, its a real inspiration.

August 13, 2009

Mel Riser said:

I'm the moderator of the Austin Permaculture List Server, and your site was recently forwarded to our attention. I enjoyed reading about you farm and the chook dome. Thanks for making a website the world can interact with. mel

September 07, 2009 | url

Deborah Slater said:

I love your site! I stumbled upon it yesterday while hunting youtube for a tutorial on propagating a fig tree from a cutting. I was delighted with your video, which reminded me of several visits I've made to Australia. Thank goodness I'd already had a conversation with someone there about "chooks" or it would've taken a bit longer to figure out what the heck... I'm sharing your website with some permaculture enthusiasts here in Phoenix Arizona. I just read an incredible book that I'm recommending to all my earthy friends called "A Nation of Farmers". It highlights issues here in the U.S. but is very relevant to the current state of the world and our need for a green revolution everywhere. Blowing kisses to you from across the seas -Deborah

September 09, 2009 | url

Tulipwood said:

Hey guys, When can we expect to see the geodesic dome video how-to?

September 14, 2009

Gracey said:

In answer to your questions, Heidi, I answer as follows: - flat ground as it can tip over on sloping ground and make it more susceptible to predators (unless you anchor it down which is really not the point of the tractor) - yes, predators can get in but, again, its use is for day only as you should have a secure coop for night use; - no, there aren't usually any doors to get in or out as, again, the purpose for the dome is that you pick it up and move it; it's not a permanent structure; - yes, you can make it smaller for less chooks. I think the point really needs to be made here is that the tractor is not a substitute for a coop. Chickens need adequate shelter, perches and nesting boxes for humane keeping and, as such, the tractor is only meant for temporary use for, say, during the day for a few hours. Cheers, Gracey

December 02, 2009

KB said:

hey folks (Heidi, Gracey et al) might be best to follow the link to the full article - it explains the door (there is one), the perches, keeping out predators, the nesting boxes, securing the tractor on sloping ground, scaling the dome up or down in size, etc etc and so on. We have 4-6 chickens that live in this dome full-time. I don't speak fluent chicken myself, but they seem happy, lay well, and get moved on to fresh ground regularly. Cheers, Kirsten.

December 02, 2009

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