Backyard Farming Forum
Bringing food production home

Hi,

I've been reading up on Aquaponics and on raising chooks or quail for eggs/meat. I'm also looking to expand my container garden and add some more fruit trees to the mix.

We have an acre property in the Upper Swan Valley, in Western Australia (about 40 minutes northeast of Perth) I like the idea of raising yabbies and have been checking out the price and availability of IBC's on Gumtree. $75 plus delivery sounds reasonable , but feedback on that would be welcome.

I'm looking to have just a few chooks, as my kids are grown and it is just my hubby and me now. I don't want to do a trational in-ground garden as I'm petrified of snakes and we get our share out here. I'm also getting too old to be crawling around on the ground pulling weeds and want something less labour intensive.

I noticed from my sticky-beak earlier, that there are several West Aussies here. Any advice you can offer us is most welcome.

Cheers,
Beth

Hi Beth and welcome. Sounds like you have a nice property in a beautiful spot. 75 for an ibc delivered is very good however it just depends what was stored in it before. Best to get a food grade ibc if you plan on eating the yabs

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Ben

Bender's Backyard
Bender's Aquaponics System

Thanks Bender.

The ad on Gumtree says the IBC has been used for non toxic liquids - but I will ask what they were. Thanks for that. I can't see the point of growing something I can't eat (and I DO love yabbies!)

It's pretty out here- Our place backs onto the 11th Fairway and there is a large water hazard just the other side of the fire break at the back of the lot. I love having the roos in the garden in the morning - and the occasional bunny or flock of 28s.

Welcome have you checked the water traps for yabbies yet. Could be a close and free sourse for you.

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BackYard Farming
CcBear's Dunbyu Gardens

CcBear's Home Produce and Preserves


BackYard Aquaponics
CcBear's First System

G'day Beth $75 IBC's sounds pretty good. You would probably need a few if you want to raise a good feed of yabbies though, I tend to eat 10 or more in one sitting...

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Gazza's IBC system

Gaz and Danae's Garden

No, CcBear, I haven't... but you can be sure I will now. Great suggestion! I'm going to start with one tank and get it up and running, with a view to 4 or 5 more over time.

I kind of like the idea of fresh home-grown trout without the hooks, tackle, tinny, - not to mention the cut lunch, water bag, sunburn or the obligatory mozzies.

I really like the vines, really beautiful spot. I have some friends that live next to the golf course, great place.

I dont mind a yabbie or two either

Oh, and welcome!

You mentioned container gardening. Have you heard about wicking beds? Click here to see the result of one guy's wicking bed build.
I'll be converting my heaped dirt raised beds into the actual container beds as time goes on.
Great to have more people on this forum. Tell your friends.

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Gardening on four wheels


Mr Bill's Future Aquaponics Setup