I have been thinking about putting one of these on my cabin. Wonder if the outside unit would go immediately behind the lattice work under the structure(have about 3' on one end). From what I understand it is about the side of a large suitcase and the fan exhausts out the front as opposed to the top.

I'll take a picture when I get back out there, but you are correct in that it exhausts side ways.

I have my unit between the garage and the cabin with 24"-30" clearance. I'd have to see a pic to offer any sort of advice, but basically, the top and right side can have stuff/structure close. Back, left, and fan (front) side should have good airflow available.

Sneaky since you are building a house, I would look into rain collection systems. Also you'll need a generator or two.

Got two planned, and there's a seasonal creek that holds a fair amount of water most of the year.

I plan on getting a generator.

I've thought about rain collection. I need to do more research on that.

If you plan it right you can irrigate your garden.

Another thing to consider since you are building a house is a root celler/tornado room

That will be taken care of if I build underground.

You can use guineas for pest control, an alarm system, eggs and meat. They lay enough eggs to keep the population up for the ones you lose to yotes & coons. Just need an incubator.

If you have any rimfire guns keeping a stock of the ammo is a good idea since you never know when the next panic might start.

I plan on getting chickens AND guineas this next spring and found this informative on guineas


http://www.backyardchickens.com/t/312682/raising-guinea-fowl-101

Stupid prepper..

Build split level into a hillside or build a basement under the structure.

Oh yeah might want to learn how to make beer, wine & alcohol

I'll line the house with tin foil to save my hair.

I've looked into making a still as well.

Considered guineas. I've heard they can be a pest to chickens. I'll have free ranging chickens for eggs, and most likely pen raised quail for meat, since chickens are inedible. My free range eggs are much more important than anything a guinea can do for me. I may try them. If they are obnoxious, I can always eat them.

hahaha that's awesome

I love not having to buy eggs BIL keeps us well stocked. Just brought home 54 this weekend. Add to it that they are farm fresh...

Guineas love ticks & grasshoppers plus a bunch of garden pests. Mine will go into the garden and clean a lot of them out without damaging the plants.

Do guineas eat plants at all? I've been wondering about netting off a garden area because the grasshoppers have been so bad lately.

I would love to have guineas around for all of their benefits. I just don't want them harassing my chickens. I get some and see how it goes. If they know what's good for them, they'll not mess with my egg production.

They don't scratch like chickens so they don't damage the plants. They don't eat them either. The don't mess the chickens at all. I have several different broods and the mess with each other, kind of like a gang fight.

That'll work. We'll see how it goes.

Mother Earth News

Guineas seem awfully expensive at the hatcheries. I just finished my chicken coop. A friend gave me eight hens. I purchased five additional Rhode Island Reds to go along with them. Additionally, I have twenty-five week old chicks to be added to the coop once they get a little older. I have a pretty good size garden. We raise our own beef and hogs. Probably do it more for the novelty of it as I doubt it saves any money.

We are looking at the necessities around power and water. Well, solar powered as well as house solar panels with energy storing batteries. Back up generator with a 500 gallon diesel tank. Large fish tank for food and emergency water. Well treed land for shade and fuel source. Wood stove for heat and cooking when needed. The house we want will be a metal building with foam insulation facing southwest to gain heat from winter sun. Surrounded by deciduous trees. Fully enclosed garden and wildlife feeders in the back. 20-50 acres max should do good. Just a dream at this point.