Everything you need to know about raising a wide variety of livestock on your homestead: chickens, guinea fowls, goats, cows, horses, sheep, and many more.
Plus, how to tackle all of the issues that may arise. From predators, to dealing with a pregnant animal, nothing is left out. Whether you’re beginner or more advanced, you’re definitely going to find a lot of new information here that you can apply.
Sheep are a very self-sufficient type of livestock to have on the homestead, and, like goats, they are excellent browsers. Even though sheep can eat a wide variety of hay, grass, and human food, there are some types of natural and man-made items that consuming can provoke a severe health issue – or even death. … Read more
Roosters are a necessary evil on the homestead. Yes, I am classifying them as evil – I wouldn’t have a few months ago, but this last rowdy row was sentenced to the freezer early because I had simply had enough of his attacks on, well… every person and critter who walked within 40 feet of … Read more
Nigerian dwarf goats are an ideal livestock to keep on homesteads both large and small. A small stature or “mini goat” of this type can even be kept on a suburban homestead, using a dog box as a shelter and the fenced in backyard as its home. Simply because Nigerian dwarf goats are easy keepers … Read more
If you’re considering getting your very own flock of chickens, you’re not alone. Millions of Americans keep chickens these days; you can find them on homesteads as well as in the backyards of suburban America as well. One of the best reasons to keep chickens is for the fresh eggs that they produce. There is … Read more
If you are interested in raising chickens, you likely have made this decision because chickens are one of the easiest kinds of livestock you can raise. While there’s not much you need to do in order to help them thrive, it is possible for your backyard flock to be infected with one of many different … Read more
Getting farm fresh eggs to scramble, bake, or cook with is just one of the many joys that come from keeping a flock of chickens or ducks. But, when and how you both collect and store eggs plays a massive role in their longevity. How Often Should You Collect Chicken Eggs? Collecting chickens eggs should … Read more
Chickens and ducks are both poultry birds and are often of nearly equal size. Since they typically eat the same feed and treats, many homesteaders have wondered if both types of birds can live together in the same coop and run. The short answer is yes – chickens and ducks can live together. Usually. How … Read more
When you raise your own chickens or ducks to provide eggs for the homestead, there is no carton expiration date to rely on to determine freshness. Sell by or best by dates are a guide to help us to determine freshness, but not necessarily when the egg has gone bad. Rotten eggs have a distinctive … Read more
How many pigs can I raise per acre? Pastured pork gets lots of attention these days, and pasturing pigs can be good for the pigs, the soil, and the farmer’s pocket. On the other hand, there are many horror stories about the damage pigs do to pastures. New pig keepers often wonder about the right … Read more
If you’re a homesteader now or aspire to be one, sooner or later you’re going to start a backyard chicken flock. If you’re planning on getting those chickens soon, you should start thinking about what kind of breed you’d like to get. The so-called dual-purpose birds, which lay eggs reliably and also grow big enough … Read more
Dyeing raw wool is a fun and simple project the whole homesteading family can enjoy doing together. You can probably dye the wool sheared from your sheep with ingredients you already have stockpiled in your kitchen. As already noted, dry wool takes either natural or artificial dye extremely poorly. If you plan on drying the … Read more
Building a chicken coop doesn’t have to cost either a lot of money or a lot of time. This DIY chicken coop is predator-proof, extremely spacious, takes only a full day to create, and costs less than $300. If you have scrap wood and/or wire stockpiled on your homestead, the cost of building this rabbit … Read more
Do you own sheep or have a friend who does? If so, this highly profitable homestead side hustle might be just what you have been looking for to make money off your land or small farm. Cleaned raw wool sells for about $25 a pound. Dyed wool roving typically demands a price of at least … Read more
What you can and what you cannot feed your ducks is a topic that can elicit heated debate, just as it often does when the same question is posed about any type of livestock. Searching online for answers to the safe duck treats vs. toxic duck treats can be quite a frustrating endeavor. One website … Read more
Guineas may lay small eggs and not boast an especially tasty flavor, but these little poultry birds still bring copious amounts of value to a homestead. Keeping guineas on your land will help protect your meat and eggs birds and rid the area of destructive bugs… and snakes. A guinea has just one job on … Read more
If you have ever raised pigs, you likely know how stubborn these charismatic creatures can be. While their personalities are an absolute delight (and major source of entertainment!) a majority of the time, this tenacious behavior can be a detriment when you’re trying to engage in simple tasks. If you’ve ever tried to pick up … Read more