Home

Implementation Guide - Chicken Coop Catalyst Project

Mar 08, 20256 min read

This guide provides a detailed walkthrough for implementing the first Ground Game project - a chicken coop (or several in different backyards) that serves as both a demonstration of regenerative principles and a catalyst for further development.

Project Overview

The Chicken Coop Catalyst is designed to:

  • Create immediate food production capacity

  • Demonstrate waste-to-resource principles

  • Build community connections

  • Generate shareable documentation

  • Serve as an entry point for broader implementation

Timeline: 30 Days from Concept to Completion

Week 1: Planning & Preparation

Days 1-3: Team Formation

  • Identify local V-DAO, ReFI DAO, and other Regen members within geographic proximity

  • Host virtual planning session to assess available spaces

  • Create preliminary design based on selected site

  • Map team skills and identify gaps

Days 4-7: Resource Strategy

  • Research local DIY home renovation store donation program requirements

  • Identify potential nonprofit partner for tax exemption

  • Create materials list based on design

  • Begin outreach to potential corporate volunteer sources

  • Inventory available tools and identify needs

Week 2: Resource Gathering

Days 8-10: Corporate Engagement

  • Submit formal request to Home Depot with nonprofit partner

  • Connect with Kohl’s or similar corporate volunteer program

  • Begin neighborhood outreach for additional support

  • Create documentation plan for resource gathering process

Days 11-14: Materials & Knowledge Preparation

  • Secure needed materials through donations and upcycling

  • Create detailed construction plan and timeline

  • Develop roles for build day participants

  • Begin promotional content for build event

Week 3: Pre-Build Preparation

Days 15-17: Site Preparation

  • Clear and prepare installation site

  • Pre-assemble components where possible

  • Finalize volunteer schedule and roles

  • Complete safety and logistics planning

Days 18-21: Community Engagement

  • Host pre-build community information session

  • Finalize documentation strategy and assign roles

  • Confirm all materials and tools are ready

  • Send final communications to all participants

Week 4: Implementation & Documentation

Days 22-23: Build Weekend

  • Host 2-day build event with all participants

  • Document entire process through photos, video, and notes

  • Incorporate community celebration elements

  • Complete functional coop structure

Days 24-30: Finalization & Knowledge Capture

  • Complete any remaining construction elements

  • Install chickens and initial supplies

  • Create care and maintenance protocols

  • Finalize documentation for sharing

Resource Requirements

Materials

ItemQuantitySource StrategyLumber (2x4s)24 piecesHome Depot donationPlywood sheets4 sheetsHome Depot donationHardware cloth25 ft²Home Depot donationHinges & hardwareVariousHome Depot donationRoofing material32 ft²Upcycled/salvagedPaint/sealant2 gallonsCommunity donationNesting boxes3-4Upcycled containersFeeding/watering systems2 setsCommunity donation

Tools

ToolQuantitySource StrategyCircular saw1-2Community tool sharingDrills2-3Community tool sharingMeasuring toolsVariousCommunity tool sharingHammers4-6Community tool sharingWheelbarrow1Community tool sharingShovel/rake2-3Community tool sharing

Human Resources

RoleNumber NeededHours CommitmentSourceProject Coordinator140 hoursV-DAO memberDesign Lead115 hoursV-DAO or communityCorporate Liaison110 hoursV-DAO memberDocumentation Lead120 hoursV-DAO memberBuild Day Leaders2-316 hours eachV-DAO and communityGeneral Volunteers8-128 hours eachCommunity and corporate

Corporate Engagement Script

Home Depot Materials Donation

Initial Approach: “Hello, I’m [Name] from [Nonprofit Partner]. We’re working with community members to implement a food security project that will serve as both an educational resource and a source of fresh food. We’re interested in learning more about Home Depot’s community support programs for materials.”

Key Points to Emphasize:

  • Partnership with registered nonprofit

  • Educational component of the project

  • Community building aspect

  • Sustainability and food security benefits

  • Visibility opportunities for Home Depot

Specific Request: “For this specific project, we’re building a community chicken coop that will produce approximately [X] eggs per week, serve as an educational site for [X] community members, and demonstrate sustainable waste management. We’ve developed a materials list that totals approximately $[X] retail value. Would it be possible to discuss how Home Depot might support this initiative?”

Corporate Volunteer Recruitment

Initial Approach: “Hello, I’m reaching out about [Company]‘s employee volunteer program. We’re implementing a community food security project that might align well with your corporate social responsibility goals while providing a meaningful team-building opportunity for your employees.”

Key Points to Emphasize:

  • Tangible, completed project in one weekend

  • Team-building opportunity

  • Skill development for employees

  • Photo/video opportunities

  • Alignment with sustainability/community goals

Specific Request: “We’re looking for [X] volunteers for [specific dates] to help with construction of a community chicken coop. The project will take approximately [X] hours and will include both skilled and unskilled tasks. We’ll provide all materials, refreshments, and a recognition component for your team’s contribution.”

Documentation Strategy

Photo/Video Plan

  • Before/after shots of the site

  • Time-lapse of the build process

  • Interviews with participants about their experience

  • Close-ups of key construction techniques

  • Footage of corporate volunteers in action

  • Celebration moments upon completion

Knowledge Capture

  • Step-by-step construction process

  • Materials list with alternatives

  • Common challenges and solutions

  • Design variations for different contexts

  • Maintenance requirements and schedule

  • Return on investment calculations (eggs, waste processing)

  • Community engagement learnings

Distribution Plan

  • Full guide published to V-DAO knowledge commons

  • Condensed social media version with key moments

  • Thank-you package for corporate sponsors

  • Community education materials

  • Template for future implementations

On-Chain Integration

Contribution Tracking

  • Record volunteer hours by category

  • Document material donations and sources

  • Track skill sharing and knowledge contributions

  • Register completed project specifications

Impact Measurement

  • Egg production metrics

  • Waste processing capacity

  • Educational events hosted

  • Skill development outcomes

  • Community connections formed

Resource Coordination

  • Tool sharing management

  • Skill inventory development

  • Material flow tracking

  • Volunteer capacity matching

Ongoing Management Plan

Daily/Weekly Operations

  • Egg collection schedule

  • Feeding and watering protocol

  • Waste management system

  • Basic health monitoring

Monthly Activities

  • Deep cleaning procedure

  • Maintenance checklist

  • Production tracking

  • Community education events

Quarterly Development

  • System optimization assessment

  • Expansion planning

  • Knowledge sharing sessions

  • Connection to other projects

First 90 Days Impact Projections

Tangible Outputs

  • Functional chicken coop housing 4-6 laying hens

  • Egg production: ~1,000 eggs annually

  • Waste processing: ~500 lbs food scraps annually

  • Educational capacity: 100+ visitors

Community Building

  • 15-20 direct build participants

  • 50+ community members engaged through process

  • 3-5 corporate relationships established

  • 1 nonprofit partnership formalized

Knowledge Creation

  • Complete implementation guide

  • Video documentation series

  • Corporate engagement template

  • Materials sourcing playbook

Movement Building

  • Social media content reaching 1,000+ viewers

  • Template for 5+ additional implementations

  • Foundation for complementary projects

  • Pathway to larger infrastructure development

Scaling Strategy

Immediate Next Projects

  • Automated garden irrigation system

  • Rainwater collection infrastructure

  • Upcycled community gathering space

  • Food preservation workshop station

Connection Mechanisms

  • Egg distribution network

  • Compost sharing system

  • Tool library expansion

  • Skill exchange platform

Common Infrastructure Needs

  • Mobile processing equipment

  • Shared refrigeration systems

  • Community kitchen access

  • Distribution logistics

This implementation guide serves as both a practical roadmap for the first project and a template for future Ground Game initiatives. By thoroughly documenting this process, we create the foundation for a scalable approach to regenerative infrastructure development—one backyard at a time.

Graph View

Backlinks

  • No backlinks found