Have you ever wanted a goat of your own? I’m not talking about a big herd, but just one or maybe two? Doesn’t that seem fun? It turns out you aren’t alone. There are plenty of people who have started to get goats as pets… Even though goats are entirely common, in a way they’re … Read more
With the sharp rise in people moving away from urban and suburban living, and heading back to a more sustainable and agrarian lifestyle, permaculture practices are fast becoming a trending topic. Most folks that want to head out into the country and set up a homestead to call their own get animals of one kind … Read more
If you were going to associate one behavior with goats, what would it be? Eating, yeah, you’re right—that’s on me. But the second behavior most likely to be associated with would probably be headbutting. Goats headbutt for all sorts of reasons, and at the end of the day, it’s an entirely natural and instinctive behavior. … Read more
You know that old saying, “familiarity breeds contempt”? When it comes to animals in our everyday lives, familiarity might not breed contempt but it does breed boredom. And when you look at common livestock animals like goats, it’s easy to forget that they are as amazing, interesting, and in many ways, surprising, as any exotic … Read more
Chickens are some of the most adaptable animals out there, capable of withstanding nearly any weather conditions and eating just about anything… Sure, most domestic birds live on a diet of feed with a few choice things thrown in, but most keepers enjoy giving their flocks supplemental foods and treats to help keep them engaged … Read more
One trait that every gardener, farmer, landscaper, and plant-lover has in common is that they all love green things that grow. Whether you’re growing your own food for subsistence or just trying to bring in show-stoppingly beautiful shrubs and flowers, your chosen plants are going to need fertilizer to develop properly, grow quickly, and stay … Read more
For being so small, rats can be a truly huge problem. Whether they are in your home or just lurking on the homestead, there’s no end to the trouble they can cause. They routinely poach eggs, kill chicks and ducklings, contaminate feed, and spread nasty diseases that you, your family, and your animals can catch. … Read more
Every gardener and farmer I know works ceaselessly to bring in a good harvest, whatever it is they are growing. And for those of us who grow peppers, much of the time we feel the bitter sting of failure when some of them just fail to come in. It’s just the way it is, as … Read more
If all you’ve ever done is buy honey off of the grocery store shelf, you might not have a true appreciation for what it takes to get that delicious, golden stuff in that little bear-shaped bottle. Of course you know that bees make honey, but if you don’t know a lot about the day in … Read more
There is nothing you are going through that cannot be made worse by the presence of flies. From common annoyances like house flies to the biting, blood-sucking horse fly to the congregating clouds of clusterflies: they’re all nasty, all aggravating, and can make your life and the lives of your animals hell. And getting rid … Read more
Lots of homesteaders turn to growing crops not just to feed themselves and their families, but to make or supplement a living. This starts off well enough, but as soon as you realize that an entire acre of corn or wheat will sell for about $1,000 bucks or even less, it will quickly douse your … Read more
If you’ve been gardening for any length of time, you’re probably familiar with the concept of companion planting. These are plants that can help each other, even directly support each other, in a mutually beneficial way. Usually, one plant will require lots of one type of nutrient that the other doesn’t, or it can improve … Read more
With any livestock, picking the right breed is important for your happiness and also for your success, whatever it is that you might be doing. This is certainly true for ducks. If lots of meat is what you’re after, or you just enjoy having bigger birds around in your flock, you’ll be best served by … Read more
If you’re growing crops, a garden full of fruits and veggies or you’re just trying to keep your lawn the envy of the neighborhood, you’ve got to get your precious plants plenty of water and plenty of food. And when it comes to food, that can be a tricky puzzle. There are tons of different … Read more
If you’re a homesteader, you probably already know that raising chickens for meat is one of the most productive things you can do to ensure that you have plenty of fresh meat for your freezer each year. But, it can take a long time to raise a conventional breed, like a Rhode Island Red or … Read more
If you want the pound-for-pound most versatile livestock animals you own, you’ve got to get sheep. Sheep produce wool, of course, and also delicious, rich, smooth milk. But they’re also an important source of meat, and have long been kept and raised around the world for the purpose. Lamb and mutton isn’t that popular here … Read more