🐇 The Shocking Truth About Rabbit Farming + Thriving While Waiting ⏱️

IN TODAY'S EDITION

1. Homestead Tip 🌱

2. Poll Results From Last Thursday 📊

3. All Things Homestead: The Pros and Cons of Owning Rabbits 🐇

4. Personal Development: Thriving in the Waiting ⏱️

5. Today's Top Picks 🛍️

6. Let’s Keep It Reel 🤣

BROUGHT TO YOU BY

Could you pay $10,000 for a pet emergency?

Unexpected vet bills can be a financial burden, with some procedures costing $10,000+. Without coverage, you’d have to cover these expenses out of pocket.

Pet insurance companies can offer up to 90% reimbursement for covered claims, providing peace of mind and protection against expensive medical bills.

Don’t let unexpected vet bills stress you out. Protect your pet and your finances with top-rated pet insurance.

PROTECT YOUR PET

POLL RESULTS FROM LAST TUESDAY

Do you think major seed companies are secretly creating "terminator seeds" to make gardens dependent on their products?

🟨🟨🟨🟨⬜️⬜️ Definitely, it’s all about control!

🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 Maybe, but it’s hard to prove.

🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ No way, that’s too far-fetched.

🟨🟨🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️ I’ve never thought about it before.

via @beehiiv polls

Feel free to participate in fun polls in our next newsletters! 😉

Also, follow us on our social media accounts for daily homesteading inspiration and updates.

ALL THINGS HOMESTEAD

The Pros and Cons of Owning Rabbits 🐇

Rabbits can be a delightful addition to your homestead. But they’re not without challenges. Let’s dig into the pros and cons of owning rabbits so you can decide if they’re the right fit for your homestead.

The Pros of Owning Rabbits

1. Smart and Trainable Pets

Rabbits are surprisingly clever. They can learn their names, recognize your voice, and even perform tricks with a bit of patience. With repetition, you can teach them to use a litter box, which makes cleaning up a lot easier. Plus, watching a rabbit give you a “high-five” or circle your feet for attention is undeniably adorable.

2. Perfect for Small Spaces

Don’t have acres of land? No problem! Rabbits thrive in small spaces, making them ideal for urban homesteads or compact farms. A medium-sized rabbit only needs about 3 to 6 square feet of living space, as long as there’s room to hop, stretch, and relax. They love a bit of exercise.

3. Quiet and Clean

If you value peace and quiet, rabbits are perfect. They’re not barkers or crowers, and their soft grunts or tooth-grinding purrs are as loud as they get. Rabbits are also clean animal. They groom themselves regularly like cats. With proper litter training, they’re low-maintenance in terms of mess.

4. Multipurpose Homestead Helpers

Rabbits are a triple threat on the homestead:

• Meat: Their lean, flavorful meat is a sustainable protein source.

• Manure: Rabbit droppings are a goldmine for gardeners—rich in nutrients and ready-to-use as fertilizer.

• Fur: While not for everyone, some breeds produce luxurious pelts for crafting.

5. Sociable and Affectionate

Rabbits thrive in pairs or small groups and can form strong bonds with humans. They enjoy cuddles, hopping into laps, and following you around (especially if snacks are involved). If you raise them with care, they’ll reward you with affection and loyalty.

The Cons of Owning Rabbits

1. Fragile Health

Rabbits are delicate creatures that require attentive care. Common health problems include dental issues, digestive troubles, and heat sensitivity. Changes in diet or environment can easily stress them out, leading to illness. Regular vet checkups are a must, and rabbit-savvy vets might not always be easy to find in rural areas.

2. Specialized Diet

Feeding rabbits is more complex than tossing them some lettuce. A balanced diet includes:

• Unlimited hay (the backbone of their diet).

• Fresh greens (like parsley or kale).

• Pellets in moderation.

• Occasional treats like carrots or apples.

Overfeeding sugary or starchy foods can lead to gastrointestinal issues. Be prepared to monitor their diet closely.

3. Destructive Chewing

Those adorable buck teeth grow constantly, so rabbits chew to keep them in check. Unfortunately, they don’t discriminate—furniture, electrical cords, and baseboards are all fair game. Protect your home or pen with chew toys, mats, and rabbit-proof barriers.

4. Long-Term Commitment

Rabbits aren’t short-term pets. They can live 8–12 years with proper care. While this makes them great companions for the long haul, it also means a long-term responsibility. If you’re juggling other homestead tasks, consider whether you can dedicate the time they need.

5. Messy and Mischievous

Rabbits shed fur—a lot. Be ready to vacuum regularly if you let them roam indoors. They also love to dig, which can turn your yard or garden into a minefield if you’re not careful. Escaping is another favorite hobby, so secure fencing is essential.

Factors to Consider Before Getting Rabbits

Still on the fence? Here are some things to think about before bringing rabbits home:

• Space: Do you have enough room for them to hop, dig, and stretch comfortably?

• Budget: Are you prepared for the cost of food, housing, and vet care (expect around $25–$50 per month)?

• Time: Can you commit to daily feeding, cleaning, and playtime for 8–12 years?

• Local Resources: Do you have access to rabbit-savvy vets or suppliers for quality hay and pellets?

So, are rabbits the right addition to your homestead? If you’re up for the challenge, these fluffy companions might just hop their way into your heart!

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

Thriving in the Waiting ⏱️

Patience isn’t just a virtue, it’s a skill. Thriving during slow periods can bring peace and clarity, both in homesteading and everyday life. Here’s how to reframe waiting as an opportunity and practice patience in meaningful ways.

Reframing Waiting as Growth

Waiting doesn’t have to feel like a waste of time. Instead, see it as an opportunity for growth.

• Growth Happens in the Gaps
  Just like seeds sprouting underground, growth often happens quietly and out of sight. While you’re waiting for a garden to flourish, you might be learning about soil health, observing the weather, or noticing what thrives in your space. Similarly, in life, waiting teaches us lessons we’d miss if everything came instantly.

• Patience Builds Strength
  Think of patience as a mental workout. Every time you choose to stay calm during a delay or a setback, you’re strengthening your ability to handle challenges.

• Enjoy the Process
  Instead of focusing on the end result, shift your attention to the journey. For example, caring for a garden isn’t just about harvesting vegetables—it’s also about enjoying the time outdoors, the satisfaction of nurturing life, and the peace that comes with routine.

Homesteading and Patience: A Perfect Match

Patience is a natural part of homesteading. From planting to harvesting and everything in between, you’re constantly reminded that good things take time.

• Gardening: You don’t plant a seed and expect to see fruit the next day. Watching a plant grow season by season teaches you to trust the process.

• Livestock: Raising animals takes consistent care and dedication. Whether you’re waiting for eggs or watching lambs grow, patience is essential for building a healthy, productive flock.

• DIY Projects: Building a greenhouse, installing fencing, or starting a new compost system often takes longer than planned. Learning to manage your expectations can make the process more enjoyable.

Activity: Create Your Resilience Plan

Step 1: Identify an Area Where You Need More Patience

Think about a part of your life or homestead that feels frustrating or slow-moving. Is it waiting for crops to grow? Managing a stubborn animal? Tackling a long-term project?

Step 2: Choose a Strategy to Practice Patience

• Mindfulness: Spend a few minutes each day focusing on what’s going well instead of what’s taking too long.

• Small Steps: Break the goal into tiny, actionable tasks.

• Celebrate Progress: Acknowledge each milestone, no matter how small.

Step 3: Write It Down

Create a simple plan for how you’ll practice patience in this area. For example:

• Area: Waiting for my orchard to produce fruit.

• Strategy: Focus on nurturing the trees weekly by checking soil moisture and pruning.

• Reminder: Celebrate the shade they provide while waiting for their fruit.

THE STEADY HOME’S GIGGLE CHAMBER

Why did the goat get a new coat for January?

It was ready to bleat the cold!

TODAY'S TOP PICKS

LET’S KEEP IT REEL!

I've put together some fantastic farm videos that are sure to make you laugh. Take a look and enjoy the fun!

1. Haha, this is true—wives sure know how to keep their super strength a secret sometimes!

@bandrhomestead

My wife is a master carpenter #homestead #foilhatgang #marriagehumor #chickensoftiktok #goats #relatable

2. Better start 'em young in the homesteading life! 😄

@homestead.barbie5

🧹there’s always chores to be done 😂✨ 🐓 #gardening #homestead #comedy #jokes #funnyvideos #gardener #homeschool #comedyvideo #viralvideo #f... See more

3. I bet I'm not the only one who does this!

@hannahleavins

Am I the only one?! 😂 I can’t wait for these seeds to sprout!! #homestead #homesteading #homesteadlife #fyp #explorepage #fypシ #home #ex... See more

ENGAGE WITH US

Got some amazing homesteading products? Let's team up and spread joy in our community!

Also, care to share any genius ideas for The Steady Home newsletter? Just hit reply and let's get talking!