Permaculture is about integrating animals, plants and humans into a balanced and sustainable ecosystem. However, one of the main challenges is ensuring the right plants are grown alongside the right animals! This course is ideal for those who have completed the Certificate of Permaculture Foundations course, farmers looking to diversify the use of their land or those passionate about sustainability and self-sufficiency.
The Certificate of Animal Permaculture is an online program that will teach you about the relationship between permaculture systems and animals and how the benefits can be maximised through design and cultural management decisions.
In this professional development course, you will gain insights into how a variety of animals can enhance a permaculture environment, including insects; poultry; bees; grazing animals like sheep, goats, pigs and rabbits; and larger livestock and wildlife.
You will also study how to plan and prepare garden ‘zones’, the role of aquaculture production systems in permaculture, and the range of aquatic species suitable for permaculture systems.
On completion of this course, you will have developed your ability to integrate animals and their resources – from insects and aquatic organisations to grazing animals and livestock – into a viable permaculture design.
Course Structure
Unit: Permaculture III - Animals
Unit 1 – Integrating animals into a permaculture system or garden
- Locating animals in a permaculture system
- Maintaining a balance in the system
- Sectors
- Intensive animals, small livestock and free-range animals
- Functions of animals in the system
- Fodder trees
- Birds in permaculture
Unit 2 – Roles in insects and other small animals
- Ecosystem components
- Ecological concepts
- The web of life
- Insects
- Lifecycles
- Insect classification
- Insect feeding habits
- Insect control
- Earthworm and red worms
- Snail farming
- Controlling pests
- Applied insect control
- Pollutants in the ecosystem
Unit 3 – Poultry
- Roles in permaculture
- Chickens, turkeys, ducks and geese
- Don’t buy sick birds
- Hatching chicks
- Poultry products and uses
- Poultry forage (useful plant species)
Unit 4 – Bee keeping
- Bee hives and lids
- To bar hives (TBH’s)
- Supers, bases and excluders
- Frames and foundations
- Spur wheel embedder
- Emlocks, bee smoker, hive tools
- Bee brush
- Locating a hive
- Buying an established hive
- Nucleus hives
- Swarms
Unit 5 – Grazing animals (pigs, sheep, goats and rabbits)
- Advantages and disadvantages of working off grass
- Paddock size
- Types of fencing
- Water supply
- Shelters
- Pig production systems
- Environmental controls
- Sheep
- Rearing and management systems
- Goats
- Rabbits
Unit 6 – Managing larger livestock and wildlife
- Managing larger grazing animals
- Beef cattle
- Dairy cattle
- Choosing your dairy breed
- Health and disease
- Managing milk
- Deer
- Alpacas
- Llamas
- Horses at grass in small areas
- Wild animals
- Wildlife management
Unit 7 – Aquaculture production systems
- Pond size
- Polyculture
- Manures and fertilising ponds
- Feeding fish
- Mariculture
- Littoral
- Advantages and disadvantages of aquaculture
- Production systems – EP and IP
- Species to grow
- Biological filtration systems
- Clearing turbid water in dams
- Protecting fish
- Water requirements
- Extensive production (EP) dams
- Intensive production fishery (IPF)
- Cages
- Harvesting fish
- Seine nets
- Gill nets
- Trap types and lines
Unit 8 : Aquaculture species to grow
- Bass, cod, perch, catfish, river blackfish and red claw
- Yabbies
- Spiny freshwater crayfish
- Trout farming
- Trout and water
- Determining flow in source water
- Temperature and trout
- Dissolved oxygen and trout
- Stocking rates for production pools
- Spawning and checking trout
- Fertilisation of ova
- Hatching the ova
- Barramundi (case study)
- Growing marron (case study)
Assessment
Assessment Information
When you study with Australian Online Courses, you will be assessed using a competency-based training method.
Competency-based training focuses on the achievement of skills and knowledge against set criteria to meet industry-standard and is not benchmarked against other students’ work.
In this course, the assessment will be comprised of written assignments and exercises, which may include short answer questions, reports, essays, research projects and reflective tasks.
If you do not achieve a competency result on your first attempt, you have two more attempts to pass your assessment. So, you have three attempts in total to obtain a competency result.
In this way, you can complete your course in your own time and at your own pace with the assistance of unlimited tutor support.
Course FAQs
Why Choose Australian Online Courses?
- Professional development that is widely recognised and respected;
- Improve your employment opportunities;
- Study online, anywhere via our elearning system;
- High-quality professional development programs written by industry experts;
- No entry requirements;
- All course materials provided online – no textbooks to buy;
- Unlimited tutor support;
- Easy to understand course content;
- We offer twelve (12) months’ access, with extensions available upon application (fees apply);
- Certificate of Attainment/Completion issued for your CV (hard copy provided); and
- Course may be tax deductible; see your tax advisor.
How long will it take to complete this course?
The approximate study hours for this course is 50 hours. We offer twelve (12) months’ access, with extensions available upon application (fees apply).
Can I purchase optional printed materials?
While printed materials are not available for purchase, PDF copies are available for download and self-printing for this program.
When can I start this course?
You can start within 60 minutes during business hours when you enrol and pay in full with a credit card!
Credit card: Within 60 mins during business hours.
BPAY: Within 1-2 working days.
Internet Banking: Within 1-2 working days.
Cheque/Money Order: Upon receipt of mailed cheque.
Will I receive a certificate upon completion of this course?
Yes! You will receive a Certificate of Attainment upon successful completion of your assessment.
Do I need to attend classes or undertake any work placements?
No. All courses are delivered online via our e-learning system and there are no work placement requirements in this course.
What support can I expect from Australian Online Courses?
Unlimited tutor support is available throughout your studies via email during business hours Monday to Friday. Our Administrative team are available Monday to Friday via email, live chat and telephone.
I am an international student. Can I enrol into this course?
Yes! We accept enrolments from individuals both within Australia and internationally; location is no barrier to entry into our programs.
Career Pathways
Future growth
Strong
Unemployment
Low
- Permaculturist
- Farmers or hobby farmers
- Students with a passion for self sufficiency or sustainability.
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