The Cool Down
Couple shares unique, off-grid building method using straw bales: 'Through rain…
One TikToker showed the unique process of building a straw-bale chicken coop in the remote Alaskan wilderness.
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Alaskan Homesteaders Pioneer Sustainable Straw Bale and Cob Chicken Coop
Alaskan Homesteaders Utilize Sustainable Building Methods for Chicken Coop An Alaskan homesteader, known as Lia from "Off Grid Alaska," recently shared insights into their unique chicken coop construction, featuring straw bales and cob. The project highlights sustainable building practices adapted for the challenging Alaskan climate. The video details the crucial step of sealing the cob-covered straw bales with boiled linseed oil. According to Lia, this process is vital for protecting the cob from peeling and preventing moisture from reaching the straw bales, which could lead to rot. "We seal it in boiled linseed oil, and this helps protect the cob and prevent it from just peeling off of the bales while also protecting the bales themselves from getting any moisture inside that would cause them to rot," she explained. Lia noted the effectiveness of boiled linseed oil, stating it "hardens phenomenally" and has been successfully used on their rocket mass heater and cob floor. Addressing concerns about local wildlife, she mentioned, "Bears have not been an issue for chickens in our area in a very long time, but we do have an issue of foxes." However, the straw bale construction is expected to deter foxes from burrowing. For aerial predators, bird netting has been installed over the chicken run. The choice of straw bales and cob reflects the homesteaders' interest in alternative building methods. "It's something that we've always wanted to build with, and we wanted to see how it would hold up in our climate," Lia stated. The coop has reportedly held up well through various weather conditions so far, with the builders optimistically looking towards its performance through the winter.
