Livestock

As a new chicken owner, one of the most exciting moments is when you find the very first farm-fresh eggs in your backyard chicken coop! If you live in the United States, instinctually you will likely want to wash the eggs and put them in the refrigerator. In the US, we typically encounter washed, store-bought…

Chickens are often called the gateway animal to homesteading. In many suburban neighborhoods, you will find neighbors who keep a small backyard flock to provide their own fresh eggs. We even raise our meat chickens in our suburban neighborhood, having raised all of our chicken for several years. Especially when you are limited on space…

As families are becoming more aware of the challenges and shortcomings of the commercial food industry, many are looking for a better way to feed their families. With the ability to ship frozen foods, there are options for families to purchase ethically sourced, organic meats, however, it can be cost-prohibitive for many families. Raising your…

As Philip and I get closer to making the move to the homestead permanent, it’s time to secure the resources we need to get the farm off the ground successfully. Since attending the lectures of Shawn and Beth Dougherty at Homesteaders of America in 2022, we are workings towards the goal of producing not only…

It started rather innocently, I noticed that the Broad breasted turkeys looked like they had injured their waddles, both of them.  I couldn’t figure out how they would have done this. They walk the fence lines some, but certainly not enough to hurt themselves and their feathers were intact. Turkeys that walk the fences, usually…

When people use the term “homestead” animals are usually a part of that image. Here at Kowalski Mountain, it’s important that our animals on the homestead have a purpose that brings enrichment to the farm. Some animals on the homestead are working members of the team, others provide nourishment while others provide companionship. We currently…

Several years ago, Philip and I decided to raise turkey as a replacement for chicken, with the idea we would get more bang for our buck raising larger birds. We purchased our very first trio of Narragansett heritage turkeys locally.  We discovered first and foremost that we don’t care for turkey as a replacement for…

Butchering day on the homestead brings about a range of emotions regardless of how long you may have been raising your own meat animals. It can be quite intimidating for the first-time home meat processor. I reassure you, that processing your own poultry at home, really is something that you can do!  It requires minimal…

Part of a homesteading lifestyle is working towards a more self-sufficient lifestyle.  Harvesting and raising our own food is a part of that process.  While we are living in a temporary living situation in the RV, our ability to produce a significant amount of food is limited, however, raising Cornish Cross Broilers for meat chicken…