Chicken House

Chicken House Purpose:

The Chicken House at the Peri-Urban Farm, located at 5650 Bottoms Rd., Temple, TX 76501, will be a vital component of the farm’s ecosystem, supporting sustainability, education, and community engagement. Under the guidance of Cultivate Academy-CTX, the Chicken House will serve as a dynamic learning environment and a practical example of regenerative agriculture. Key activities in the Chicken House will include:

1. Egg Production and Harvesting

Raising a flock of healthy, pasture-raised chickens for fresh, nutrient-dense egg production.
Harvesting eggs daily for sale at the farm’s markets, CSA program, and gift shop, contributing to the Urban Farm’s financial sustainability.
Teaching students at Cultivate Academy-CTX the responsibilities of egg collection, cleaning, sorting, and packaging.

2. Student-Led Poultry Care

Involving students in the daily care of the chickens, including feeding, watering, monitoring health, and maintaining clean, safe living conditions.
Educating students on ethical and sustainable poultry farming practices, emphasizing animal welfare and environmental stewardship.
Assigning leadership roles to students, such as managing feed inventory, tracking egg production, and reporting health observations.

3. Compost and Soil Enrichment

Collecting chicken manure to create nutrient-rich compost for use across the Peri-Urban Farm.
Teaching students how to safely compost manure and integrate it into the soil to enhance crop fertility and reduce the need for synthetic fertilizers.
Demonstrating the closed-loop system that connects the Chicken House to the farm’s broader sustainability efforts.

4. Pest Management and Ecosystem Support

Utilizing chickens as a natural form of pest control by allowing them to forage and consume insects in designated areas of the farm.
Rotating chicken grazing areas to promote soil aeration and nutrient distribution, supporting regenerative agricultural practices.
Engaging students in the planning and execution of rotational grazing schedules to optimize the chickens' impact on the farm’s ecosystem.

5. Education and Outreach

Hosting workshops and farm tours where visitors can learn about the role of chickens in sustainable farming.
Offering hands-on experiences for community members and students to interact with the chickens and understand their care.
Creating educational content led by Cultivate Academy students, such as care guides, videos, and presentations, to share knowledge about ethical poultry farming.

6. Entrepreneurship and Revenue Generation

Selling eggs at the farm’s markets, CSA program, and gift shop to generate revenue for the Peri-Urban Farm’s operations.
Exploring value-added products, such as egg cartons designed by students or educational bundles on chicken care, to diversify income streams.
Teaching students business principles, including cost analysis, pricing strategies, and customer engagement, through their management of the Chicken House’s production.

7. Research and Innovation

Partnering with local agricultural experts to explore best practices for poultry health, feed efficiency, and sustainable egg production.
Engaging Cultivate Academy students in research projects to analyze egg production trends, feed impacts, and manure-to-compost efficiency.
Using the Chicken House as a case study to demonstrate the integration of animals into peri-urban farming systems.

8. Community Connection and Wellness

Providing fresh, local eggs as a source of high-quality protein for the community, contributing to food security and wellness initiatives.
Offering opportunities for families and community members to learn about the connection between farm animals, sustainable agriculture, and healthy food systems.
Involving students in discussions about food justice and the role of small-scale farming in creating equitable access to nutritious food.

With Cultivate Academy-CTX as the driving force, the Chicken House will exemplify how animal husbandry can be integrated into an urban farm to enhance sustainability and education. Through hands-on learning, community involvement, and innovative practices, the Chicken House will contribute to the Peri-Urban Farm’s mission of promoting wellness, environmental stewardship, and a deeper understanding of sustainable agriculture.

Cost Breakdown

840 sq. ft. Chicken House (Temple, TX)

To build an 840 sq. ft. chicken house, the costs will depend on materials, labor, utilities, natural lighting, and the new concrete slab foundation.

1. Foundation (New Concrete Slab)

Concrete Slab (4–6 inches thick, reinforced with rebar or wire mesh):

Materials: $6–$10 per sq. ft.
Labor: $4–$6 per sq. ft.
Total for Slab: $8,400–$13,400

2. Structure and Exterior

Barn-Style Exterior (Wood or Metal Siding):

Materials: $8–$15 per sq. ft.
Labor: $5–$10 per sq. ft.
Total for Exterior: $11,760–$21,000

Roof (Metal or Shingles):

Metal roofing: $6–$12 per sq. ft.
Total for Roof: $5,040–$10,080

3. Interior Features

Ventilation and Insulation:

Ridge vents, wall vents, exhaust fans: $1,500–$3,000
Insulation (optional): $2,000–$4,000
Total for Ventilation/Insulation: $3,500–$7,000

Natural Lighting:

Windows/skylights: $200–$500 each (4–6 units)
Total for Lighting Features: $800–$3,000

4. Utilities

Water Hookup:

Plumbing lines and connections: $1,500–$3,000
Automatic watering system: $500–$1,000
Total for Water: $2,000–$4,000

Electric Hookup:

Wiring, outlets, lighting: $3,000–$5,000
Heat lamps, fans, or other equipment: $1,000–$2,000
Total for Electric: $4,000–$7,000

5. Additional Costs

Doors (Barn Doors + Entry Door):

Materials & installation: $1,000–$2,500
Total for Doors: $1,000–$2,500

Nest Boxes & Roosting Bars:

Prefabricated or custom-built: $1,500–$2,500
Total for Nest Boxes/Roosts: $1,500–$2,500

Miscellaneous:

Paint/finish: $1,000–$2,000
Contingency (10–15%): $3,000–$5,000

📊 Total Estimated Cost (Including Slab):

Low End: $41,000
High End: $75,480

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