If you’ve spent any amount of time looking into chickens, you probably already know there are a huge variety of domestic breeds out there. There are hundreds, in fact! But when you see all the different sizes, colors, body types, and behaviors it really makes for a remarkable variety among these common birds. But what … Read more
If you’re raising any animal to slaughter for meat, you already know that timing is everything. This is especially true for pigs. From birth and farrowing to final finishing, you need your pigs to pack on the pounds and be ready for market by a certain age if you want to maximize profits and also … Read more
If you’re interested in raising ducks, you probably already know that every breed has something to offer you. Whether you want them simply as pets, exhibition birds, for meat or eggs, or both, there is bound to be a kind of duck out there that is just right for you. To help you find that … Read more
Though most folks in the US these days rely on gas or electric heat, wood is still a crucially important fuel source for supplementary heat and, for some of us homesteaders, primary heating in the home. But whether you’re depending on wood to keep you alive, or you just like the cheery ambiance of a … Read more
Growing hay is just like growing any other kind of crop. Conditions have to be just right if you want a good harvest, and whether you’re going with grass or legumes, you’ve got to give it the right nutrition. This is where fertilizers come in. But compared with other kinds of crops, recommendations for fertilizing … Read more
The one question I hear over and over again from prospective duck keepers is how they can keep their birds from flying away. It makes sense, of course: we watch ducks fly all over the place out in nature. But it’s different for domestic ducks, as most of them cannot fly. Most, but not all! … Read more
Whether you’re getting started with chickens for the first time or just looking to expand your flock with some new additions, picking the right breed is crucially important. Knowing the capabilities, health, temperament, and other essential traits of a breed will go a long way toward making your time with them happy and productive. To … Read more
No matter what kind of animals you have, be they cows, sheep, goats, or something else, if you let them graze on pasture you already know that you’ve got to take care of it, and part of getting that pasture resuscitated is fertilization. Grasses and other plants need lots of nutrients if they’re going to … Read more
If you burn wood for any reason on your homestead, be it for heat in the fireplace or wood stove, or just around the fire pit on a chilly fall evening, you’ve got to have a good supply of firewood on hand if you want to keep it burning brightly. Staying stocked up on firewood … Read more
If you rely on firewood for heating your home, workshop, or any other structures, you already know how important it is to make sure you’ve got plenty on hand, and well-seasoned, well before winter truly arrives. In areas where fireplaces, wood-burning stoves, and thermoelectric generators are popular, you’ll see firewood sold in large quantities throughout … Read more
When you look past the fact that they are the most common domestic bird in the world, chickens are actually super interesting. Their behavior, their colors, their physiological differences; there are so many interesting traits about them you could spend a lifetime studying them. For chicken fanciers like us, this also means that your picture-perfect … Read more
Anyone who is serious about growing plants, of any kind, knows that you have to get them the right resources if you want them to thrive. All plants need different amounts of water and light, and ideal temperatures if they’re going to grow big, strong, and healthy. But plants also need the right nutrition, and … Read more
One of the most exciting times in any gardener’s endeavors is that first sign of new green poking up through the soil. When a seed germinates and starts to grow, it is full of promise and anticipation of what’s to come. Yes, it’s also the beginning of a lot of hard work, but it’s always … Read more
If you rely on any kind of wood-burning appliance for winter heat, whether it is primary, supplementary, or just because you enjoy the ambiance, you’ve got to have plenty of firewood on hand. If you live in a truly cold region or off-grid, this can be a matter of life and death! In such places, … Read more
Basil is one of the most ubiquitous and most beloved kitchen herbs used around the world. It adds a sublimely sweet, fresh note to many dishes, and even better it is easy to grow yourself. The only downside, if it has one, is that fresh basil will not keep very long at all once it … Read more
Pekin ducks are the single most popular domestic breed kept in the United States, raised for both the ample amounts of meat that they can supply and also they are excellent egg production. Still, as beloved as the breed is, they seem to have a reputation for being short-lived. Some owners say that they only … Read more