Top Bedding Picks for Your Coop + Start Self-Reliant Living

IN TODAY'S EDITION

1. Homestead Tip 🌱

2. Poll Results From Last Sunday 📊

3. All Things Homestead: Best Bedding Options for Your Chickens 🛏️

4. Personal Development: The Art of Self-Reliance 💪

5. Today's Top Picks 🛍️

6. Let’s Keep It Reel 🤣

BROUGHT TO YOU BY

Ultimate X23: I Used to Haul Around 10 Tools—Now I Just Carry One!

Ever been caught in the middle of a job thinking, “Why didn’t I bring the [insert tool here]?” I’ve been there.

Last winter, I was stranded on a snowy road—no shovel, no way out. The summer before? Camping trip ruined when I forgot the saw and fire starter. And don’t even get me started on the chaos in my garage—tools everywhere, but never the right one when I needed it.

That’s when I found the Ultimate X23.

Why I swear by it:

• One Tool Does It All: Shovel, saw, fire starter, emergency whistle—you name it.

• Saves Space & Stress: It fits neatly in my trunk or pack, ready for any situation.

• Year-Round Lifesaver: Snowstorms, garden projects, camping trips—it handles it all.

If you’re tired of lugging around too much gear or being caught unprepared, this is the gift you (or someone you love) need this season.

POLL RESULTS FROM LAST SUNDAY

What’s your main concern about foraging for wild foods?

🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 Accidentally picking something toxic

🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ Not knowing the proper way to prepare wild foods

⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ Damaging local ecosystems while foraging

🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ Having the right knowledge to forage sustainably

🟨🟨🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️ I’m ready to forage but need a guide to get started

via @beehiiv polls

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

Also, follow us on Facebook and Pinterest for daily homesteading inspiration and updates.

ALL THINGS HOMESTEAD

Best Bedding Options for Your Chickens 🛏️

Keeping chickens comfy and healthy starts with the right bedding in the coop. With so many options, let’s break down the best choices to help you decide what works for your flock.

1. Straw

Straw is a classic choice. It’s made from the dry stalks of grains like wheat and barley, which makes it fluffy and insulating—a cozy pick for your chickens.

Pros:

• Affordable and easy to find.

• Naturally warm, which is nice in cooler weather.

• Absorbs a lot of moisture, so it keeps things dry.

Cons:

• Straw can get moldy if it stays damp.

• Doesn’t control odors very well.

• If chickens eat too much, it can cause digestive issues.

Maintenance Tips: Fluff the straw daily to keep it soft, and replace it weekly, especially in damp conditions. Check regularly for mold to keep the coop fresh and safe for your flock.

2. Pine Shavings

Pine shavings are a popular choice, especially for laying boxes. They have a pleasant, natural scent that helps with odor control.

Pros:

• Great for nesting areas.

• Smells nice and helps with odors.

• Works well with the “deep litter” method, where you add layers instead of fully changing the bedding often.

Cons:

• Can be dusty, which isn’t ideal for chickens’ breathing.

• A bit pricier than straw.

• Small chicks may peck at it, which can be a choking risk.

Maintenance Tips: Fluff pine shavings to keep them absorbent, and replace them every month to keep things clean. If dust is an issue, larger flakes are less dusty and easier on the birds’ respiratory systems.

3. Hemp

Hemp bedding is eco-friendly and super absorbent, making it a great choice if you want to reduce dust and clean less often.

Pros:

• Naturally resists pests and is low in dust.

• Absorbs moisture well, so it doesn’t need replacing as often.

Cons:

• More expensive than straw or pine.

• It’s heavier, which makes it a bit tougher to move around and clean.

Maintenance Tips: Spot-clean hemp bedding by removing soiled areas and adding fresh hemp as needed. This material stays fresh longer but check for hidden wet spots weekly.

4. Sand

Sand is a practical option, especially if you’re in a warmer climate. It’s like a big litter box, making scooping and cleaning easy.

Pros:

• Great drainage, keeping the coop dry.

• Easy to scoop and clean, just like cat litter.

• Helps keep mites and other pests down.

Cons:

• No insulation, so it’s not the best for cold climates.

• Heavy to move and can harden in wet weather.

Maintenance Tips: Rake and sift the sand regularly to remove droppings and keep it loose. Replace it yearly, or when it starts getting compacted. Make sure your coop has good drainage to keep sand from getting clumpy and waterlogged.

5. Hay

Hay is often easy to find and is soft, making it a comfy choice for chickens, though it does have a few drawbacks.

Pros:

• Readily available and affordable.

• Absorbs moisture well and is comfortable for chickens.

Cons:

• Can attract mold if it gets wet.

• Doesn’t control odors as well as other options.

• Breaks down quickly and needs frequent changes.

Maintenance Tips: Keep an eye on hay for any damp spots or mold. It should be replaced every couple of weeks or sooner if it starts getting messy. Fluff it regularly to prevent matting.

6. Grass Clippings

If you mow your lawn, grass clippings can be a budget-friendly and natural bedding option.

Pros:

• Free and readily available if you mow your lawn.

• Chickens love scratching around in it, which helps keep it fresh.

• It composts easily, making it eco-friendly.

Cons:

• Tends to mat down and can get compacted.

• Needs to be chemical-free; no pesticides or fertilizers.

Maintenance Tips: Use only dry clippings, as fresh, wet grass can lead to mold. Spread them out to prevent clumping and replace them regularly to keep things fresh and clean.

7. Dried Leaves

If you have deciduous trees around, dried leaves can be an affordable and natural bedding choice for your coop.

Pros:

• Free and easy to gather, especially in the fall.

• Encourages natural foraging, which chickens love.

• Great for composting after it’s done in the coop.

Cons:

• Seasonal, so you may only have access to leaves in autumn.

• Leaves need to be chopped up or fluffed regularly to prevent compacting.

Maintenance Tips: Rake and fluff leaves often, and replace them as needed, especially after rain or if they start to break down. Collect enough in fall to last you through the year.

8. Shredded Paper

Shredded paper can be a good bedding option, especially if you have access to it for free.

Pros:

• Free and easy to make if you have a shredder.

• Lightweight and simple to clean up.

• Recycles paper waste, which is environmentally friendly.

Cons:

• Not as warm or insulating as other options.

• Can get soggy quickly and may need frequent changing.

Maintenance Tips: Use only plain, ink-free paper if possible. Replace shredded paper as soon as it starts looking damp, and mix it with other bedding materials if you want a longer-lasting option.

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

The Art of Self-Reliance 💪

Self-reliance doesn’t mean you have to do everything yourself, but it does mean having the confidence and basic skills to solve challenges as they come.

Key Skills for a Self-Reliant Homestead

1. Basic Carpentry and Repair Skills

Carpentry might sound a bit intimidating, but you’d be surprised how useful it is to know a few basics. Simple tasks, like fixing a fence, building a small raised bed, or repairing a coop door, can be done with just a few tools.

• Tools to Get Started: Hammer, screwdriver, hand saw, tape measure, and a power drill (a huge time-saver for projects).

• Starter Project Idea: Try building a raised bed or repairing a section of fencing. These are straightforward projects and can build up your confidence.

2. Animal Husbandry Basics

If you have animals or plan to add some, knowing how to care for them is a must. Understanding feeding routines, doing basic health checks, and knowing a bit of preventive care can help keep your animals healthy and happy.

• Daily Routine Tips: Spend a few minutes each day watching your animals, so you learn what’s normal for them. This helps you catch any signs of illness early on.

• Preventive Care: Things like providing clean water, proper bedding, and occasionally checking for any wounds or signs of sickness can go a long way in keeping your animals healthy.

3. Growing and Preserving Food

A big part of self-reliance is growing some of your own food. Start with the basics—pick a few vegetables to plant, and learn as you go. Once you have a harvest, knowing how to preserve it through canning, drying, or freezing will help you enjoy your food year-round.

• Starting Tip: Pick easy-to-grow vegetables like tomatoes, lettuce, and herbs, and start with a small garden plot or even a few containers.

• Preservation Basics: Once you get a good harvest, try canning or freezing a batch. Start small, like making tomato sauce or freezing herbs for winter.

4. Basic First Aid and Health Management

On the homestead, knowing basic first aid can be a lifesaver—whether for you, your family, or your animals. Small cuts, bruises, and scrapes are common, so it’s worth learning how to treat them properly. A quick first aid course can be incredibly useful.

• First Aid Essentials: Keep a first aid kit in a handy spot, with things like bandages, antiseptics, tweezers, and gloves. Consider a second kit for your workshop or barn.

• Homestead Health Tips: Learn a few basics, like how to clean a wound, treat minor burns, and handle blisters. These small skills make a big difference in daily life.

5. Home and Energy Maintenance

Maintaining your home’s systems is another huge part of self-reliance. Learning how to do simple repairs—like fixing a leaky faucet, changing air filters, or keeping drains clear—saves money and keeps things running smoothly.

• Simple Maintenance Tasks: Start with things like cleaning your air filter, tightening screws on loose fixtures, or learning to change a faucet washer.

• Energy Saving Tips: Make it a habit to check for drafts, keep vents clear, and practice good habits like turning off lights and appliances when they’re not in use. These small efforts help reduce utility bills.

Pro Tip: Set achievable timelines. For example, “Learn basic canning by July” or “Build one small woodworking project each month.” These manageable goals will keep you moving forward without feeling overwhelmed.

THE STEADY HOME’S GIGGLE CHAMBER

Why did the snowman call in sick?

He had a meltdown.

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. Garden DIYs come with their little oops moments like this:

@mustbememeable

#gardening #funnyvideos #diy #memestiktok

2. When you tried to live your best plant mom life, but only a few made it through. We've all been there, right? Hey, at least some survived!

@briannaalvarezxo

Maybe next year 🥺 #foryoupage #tiktok #trendy #plantsoftiktok #planttok #plants #gardening #gardening101 #gardentok #girlies #funnymoments... See more

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