Vegetables are one of the most popular nutritional supplements around for various livestock species, and that includes sheep. Yes, it’s true, sheep actually eat more than just grass! And despite having a reputation as picky, finicky eaters with an extremely limited diet, sheep can actually eat a lot of different things. But you’ve got to … Read more
Goats get a bad rap with homesteaders, I think: while it is true they tend to be troublesome escape artists and can have more health problems than other livestock animals, they are supremely versatile. And I’m not just talking about their products, either! Believe it or not, your goats can help you out in a … Read more
Homesteading looks a little different to everyone: for some folks it looks like a thriving farm, for others just a place to settle down way out in the country away from it all. But big or small, business oriented or not, all homesteaders need a particular set of skills. That’s because homesteading is a lifestyle … Read more
Whether you are raising chickens for meat or eggs, you’ve got to feed them daily. They don’t eat that much, so it’s easy enough to do if you have a small flock, but if you’ve got a big one or plenty of other chores to do on your homestead besides, it will take time. Time … Read more
One of the best things you can do for your chickens is simply to let them free-range. Letting them wander around your yard or property getting some exercise, fresh air, and of course, delicious, choice bits of food in the form of grass, seeds, bugs and more will do wonders for their health and well-being. … Read more
Pheasants are one of those semi-exotic birds to raise on the homestead, that you may have heard are a good idea, but haven’t really met anyone who actually raises them. Diet is probably one of the reason, since they are known to be somewhat fussy eaters. They do need at least 90% of their foods … Read more
Fresh tomatoes are one of the tastiest and most versatile veggies there are, and whether you are bringing in a big bumper crop from your own garden or hauling home a huge load from the local farmer’s market, if you don’t act fast to preserve them, they will start to wrinkle, discolor, and go bad. … Read more
There is no shortage of predators out to make a meal of our precious chickens. Turns out that people aren’t the only living things that think chickens are delicious! When it comes to predators, most folks are already familiar with mice and rats and larger critters like coyotes and the occasional roaming dog or cat. … Read more
If you think about sheep eating, what do you imagine that they eat? If you picture them strolling around a pasture munching on grass and other tender greenery, you’re pretty much right on. But sheep cannot subsist on just one type of grass or other forage alone: They actually need a variety of greenery to … Read more
Eggs are the very best part of owning a flock of chickens. They’re the freshest, best-tasting eggs you will ever have, bar none, and bringing in a basket full of those perfect little jewels every morning is one of life’s great pleasures. And compared to the eggs you get in the grocery store, your flock … Read more
When talk of foraging for wild edibles comes up in the context of survival situations, what do you imagine? If you were like me, and most people, you probably think of moving through a wooded environment looking for berries, nutritious greens, and maybe even a few choice mushrooms. A good answer. You certainly didn’t think … Read more
You ever have this experience? The one where you use a half cup of heavy cream and then, in about a week, you throw the rest away? Yeah, story of my life. It’s wasteful, it’s annoying, and it doesn’t have to be that way… Believe it or not you can freeze heavy cream easily with … Read more
I don’t know about you, but I go through tons and tons of garlic in the kitchen, all year long. The stuff is just indispensable for cooking. After I got sick of getting rinsed at the grocery store, paying for bland, subpar bulbs in the produce department, I decided to start growing my own, and … Read more
Do you love cherry tomatoes? Me too! If you are like me and countless other gardeners, you probably grow your own. Nothing is better than a perfectly ripe cherry tomato that’s still warm from the sun. But sometimes it’s possible to have too much of a good thing. It rarely fails that, no matter how … Read more
If poultry to call your own is what you want, but chickens just aren’t your thing, ducks might be the answer. Ducks can provide you with lots of eggs and meat just like chickens, help control pests on your property and around your garden – and, of course, offer lots of entertainment throughout your day! … Read more
For many homesteaders, maximum efficiency is paramount, especially when it comes to raising livestock. Anything you can do that will save you time, effort, or money is to be implemented if you want to keep your sanity intact and your bank account in the black. Many turn to raising different species together when possible to … Read more