Muriel Creek Ranch House & Farm Store

Guess which egg is from the happy hens?

We raise our laying hens different than most. Not only are they raised outdoors, but they are moved onto fresh pasture every other day until late Oct or early Nov. This video is of our chickens (for meat, not layers--layers in pen next to this one). Chickens learn quickly that the sound of the tractor means the pen is being moved ahead. I am following them to make sure they all move ahead and no legs get caught in the pen. Chickens are in these large pens that provide shelter from weather, and protection from aerial/ground predators.

It was great having these gals drop by. Glad the bulls did not disrupt your sleep. We look forward to seeing you next time.

Grassfed beef steers up to their eyebrows in grass. Taking orders for fall beef now.

Grass should be green shortly with all this moisture.

Announcement, Q&A, public input. Refreshments

Achieving Net Zero Tip#4 Windows. Triples are code now but avoid the sun blocker coatings on the south side as we want those warming rays to heat the interior. Square footage of all south facing windows should be less than 10% of total south wall to avoid the greenhouse effect. To keep that heat in during cold winter nights use an insulated blind. Ben at Budget Blinds Cold Lake was our supplier and we have been impressed by the quality and durability. www.facebook.com/budgetbindsab/

Achieving Net Zero Tip#3 High R-value walls We chose a double inline 2x4 wall. Our choice was based on a calculation of cost per sq/ft/R-value with us providing as much of the labour as possible to keep those costs down. This type of wall is usually filled with a special blown in cellulose but it was unavailable locally at that time. We filled the walls with 3 layers of Roxul batt insulation, vertically between each stud wall and horizontally in the thermal break area between the walls. This made R-42 before any sheeting.

Achieving Net Zero energy Tip#2 Passive Solar design. Actually most of the tips relate back to passive solar design. Larger south facing windows shaded in summer by overhang and solar module awning. Winter sun at it lowest point will radiate the entire floor up to the north wall.

Achieving Net Zero Tip#1 Orientation Plan from the ground up around solar south and align the north/south wall with it. To find solar south take the sunrise/ sunset time and determine solar noon by finding the middle. Place a stick in the ground or use a plumb bob at solar noon and the shadow will give you your north/south wall orientation. Solar south is not magnetic south and varies considerably with your location longitudinally.

Building for Net Zero energy in NE Alberta. Over the next month we will post the building tips we used to achieve our ultra efficient Ranch House.

We are committed to supporting an industry that is vital to our community. Our prayers go out to all who have been hit by the downturn.

Congratulations to Quinto and Tonya Sams who were married at the Ranch House on January 2nd

Even though we use solar we understand that our federal government needs to show leadership and use our petroleum nation wide.

Secret contest winners. Each of the following folks have won a single night stay at the Muriel Creek Ranch House just for sharing our $80 oil promotion. Dino Belbeck, Becky Parker, Suzanne Plamondon, Dana Barron and Jamie Piercy.

Wonderful people beautiful place amazing concept. It'll be the only place I ever stay whenever I'm in the area that's for sure!

Wonderful accommodations convenient to both Bonnyville & Cold Lake areas. Comfortable beds & spacious rooms with a view, and large ranch kitchen & seating area with all amenities, & fresh home baking made this B & B accommodation a lovely & affordable alternative to standard hotel rooms. Well done!

This place is amazing , beautiful , peaceful , clean , friendly I will definitely be staying there again Love Love Love this place and Steven what an absolute gem was up at 7 am making breakfast helped me get the boys rounded up i even seen him mopping the clubhouse floor I kept telling him he could come to my house I strongly suggest this place I took so many pics of this place couldn't help myself when you see beauty you take a pic to capture it forever Thank You for the wonderful hospitality Muriel Creek Ranch

Thanks to Greg and Jennifer for extending a warm welcome to our evacuated family. You've both gone above and beyond the call, in providing safety, security, and comfort to all of us.

Thanks for having us. Beautiful place! God bless!

Wonderful people beautiful place amazing concept. It'll be the only place I ever stay whenever I'm in the area that's for sure!

Wonderful accommodations convenient to both Bonnyville & Cold Lake areas. Comfortable beds & spacious rooms with a view, and large ranch kitchen & seating area with all amenities, & fresh home baking made this B & B accommodation a lovely & affordable alternative to standard hotel rooms. Well done!

This place is amazing , beautiful , peaceful , clean , friendly I will definitely be staying there again Love Love Love this place and Steven what an absolute gem was up at 7 am making breakfast helped me get the boys rounded up i even seen him mopping the clubhouse floor I kept telling him he could come to my house I strongly suggest this place I took so many pics of this place couldn't help myself when you see beauty you take a pic to capture it forever Thank You for the wonderful hospitality Muriel Creek Ranch

Thanks to Greg and Jennifer for extending a warm welcome to our evacuated family. You've both gone above and beyond the call, in providing safety, security, and comfort to all of us.

Thanks for having us. Beautiful place! God bless!