🐔 Using Lime in the Coop + 🌟 Mindfulness Hacks

IN TODAY'S EDITION

1. Homestead Tip 🌱

2. Poll Results From Last Thursday 📊

3. All Things Homestead: How to Use Lime in Your Chicken Coop 😉

4. Personal Development: Mindfulness for Busy Homesteaders 🧠

5. Today's Top Picks 🛍️

6. Let’s Keep It Reel 🤣

BROUGHT TO YOU BY

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POLL RESULTS FROM LAST THURSDAY

What matters most to you when choosing cleaning products for your home?

🟨🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ Effectiveness – I need it to handle spills and grime easily.

🟨🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ Eco-friendliness – I want to reduce waste and avoid chemicals.

🟨🟨🟨🟨⬜️⬜️ Cost-efficiency – I want something that lasts and saves me money.

🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 Multi-purpose – I love products that work for a variety of cleaning tasks.

via @beehiiv polls

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

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ALL THINGS HOMESTEAD

How to Use Lime in Your Chicken Coop 😉

If you’re looking for an easy way to keep your chicken coop cleaner, fresher, and healthier, lime might be your new best friend. Here’s a breakdown on how to use lime safely and effectively so your chickens—and you—can a more comfortable space.

Why Use Lime in the Coop? Here Are the Key Benefits:

• Odor Control: Lime helps soak up ammonia from chicken droppings, reducing that strong coop smell. The result? A fresher-smelling coop that’s better for your chickens and easier on your nose.

• Moisture Absorption: Chicken droppings can make the coop damp, and that dampness is a breeding ground for bacteria and pests. Lime absorbs this moisture, keeping the coop dry and helping prevent bacteria from growing.

• Pest Repellent: Lime’s high pH level can act as a natural deterrent for pests like mites and lice, which can bother chickens and make them uncomfortable.

• Soil pH Balancing: If you use lime around the outside of your coop, it can help neutralize acidic soil, creating a healthier environment for both the chickens and any plants nearby.

Types of Lime and How to Use Them

Each type of lime has its own uses, so here’s a quick guide to help you choose:

1. Agricultural Lime: Safe, mild, and perfect for everyday use inside the coop. It’s great for moisture and odor control without being too harsh on your flock.

2. Hydrated Lime: Only use this for deep sanitizing if your chickens won’t come into direct contact with it. It’s powerful for cleaning but is best kept away from areas where chickens roam.

3. Dolomitic Lime: Good for soil health outside the coop, especially if your soil needs magnesium. It’s more beneficial for the soil around the coop than directly inside it.

4. Quick Lime: This acts fast but is very strong, so avoid it for regular maintenance. It’s best used in rare situations, like after an illness outbreak, and with extreme caution.

How to Use Lime in Your Chicken Coop (Step-by-Step)

Using lime in the coop is simple once you get the hang of it. Here’s how to do it:

1. Pick the Right Type of Lime: Agricultural lime is your safest bet for regular use inside the coop. It’s effective and gentle, making it ideal for managing odors and moisture.

2. Prep the Coop: Start by cleaning out the coop. Remove old bedding, droppings, and any leftover debris. The cleaner the coop is, the better the lime will work.

3. Apply the Lime: Wear gloves and a dust mask to protect yourself from inhaling any lime dust. Then, sprinkle a thin, even layer of lime over the floor, focusing on damp or smelly areas. Avoid creating dust clouds.

4. Add Fresh Bedding: Cover the lime with fresh bedding. This creates a barrier so that the lime doesn’t come into direct contact with the chickens’ feet, keeping it effective but safe.

5. Reintroduce the Chickens: Once the bedding is in place, you’re good to let the chickens back in.

6. Repeat as Needed: Lime works best with regular maintenance, so plan to reapply every week or two. This helps keep your coop smelling fresh and feeling dry.

7. Monitor Your Flock: After using lime, keep an eye on your chickens. If they seem uncomfortable or show any signs of irritation, adjust your lime usage or reduce the amount.

Pro Tip: A thin layer goes a long way. Too much lime can cause respiratory issues for your chickens, so keep it light.

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

Mindfulness for Busy Homesteaders 🧠

Let’s talk about something we could all use more of: mindfulness. Life on the homestead is nonstop, right? Feeding animals, watering plants, fixing fences, chasing that one chicken who refuses to cooperate—it’s rewarding, but man, it can be overwhelming.

That’s where mindfulness comes in, and don’t worry, I’m not about to suggest hours of meditation or yoga poses (unless you’re into that). Mindfulness can be simple, quick, and fit right into your everyday routine.

But First, What Even Is Mindfulness?

Mindfulness is just about paying attention to what’s happening right now, without judgment. It’s noticing the small stuff, like how warm your coffee feels in your hands or the sound of the wind through the trees. It’s not about clearing your mind or sitting in silence for hours—unless you want to, of course.

For us homesteaders, mindfulness can happen during chores, morning coffee, or even while you’re mucking out the chicken coop.

Why Mindfulness Matters on the Homestead

• It Reduces Stress: Instead of getting stuck in overwhelm, mindfulness helps you focus on what you can control.

• Boosts Focus: You get things done faster and better when your mind isn’t racing in a million directions.

• Builds Resilience: When things go sideways (because they always do), mindfulness helps you adapt.

• Makes Tasks More Enjoyable: Even the most boring chores can feel meaningful when you’re fully present.

Quick Mindfulness Practices You Can Start Today

Don’t worry, I’m not asking you to add “mindfulness practice” to your to-do list. These are simple things you can do while you’re already doing other stuff.

1. The One-Minute Pause

This is exactly what it sounds like. Stop for one minute, take a few deep breaths, and notice your surroundings. Feel your feet on the ground, listen to the birds, or pay attention to your breathing. That’s it.

Try it: Before starting a chore, pause for one minute. Take three deep breaths and notice the sounds around you—maybe the hum of the coop or the rustle of trees. Then get back to it, feeling just a little calmer.

2. The Five Senses Check-In

This one’s great when you’re feeling scattered. Take a second to notice:

• One thing you can see.

• One thing you can hear.

• One thing you can touch.

• One thing you can smell.

• One thing you can taste (even if it’s just the coffee in your cup).

Example: While walking through the garden, notice the feel of the soil under your boots, the sound of bees buzzing, or the sight of new leaves sprouting. It’s a simple way to ground yourself.

3. Single-Tasking a Chore

Pick one task and do it with your full attention—no multitasking, no rushing. Whether it’s washing dishes or feeding the goats, focus on each step. Notice the sounds, textures, and movements.

Example: While collecting eggs, feel the smooth shells, hear the cluck of the hens, and just enjoy the rhythm of the work.

THE STEADY HOME’S GIGGLE CHAMBER

What did one Christmas light say to the other?

"You light up my life!"

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. Need a serotonin boost? Check out these hilariously adorable dancing chickens:

@ilgallinaio_special

#perte

2. When your goats decide it's their job to escort a kid to school 😂:

@momentsgang

Don’t think she wants to walk to achool anymore 💀

3. If you’ve never seen a pig race before, you’re in for a treat—check out this ridiculously adorable and hilarious video below:

@farmer.lifee

🐷🐷🐷 #tiktok #foryou #fyp #farm #farmlife #farmers #farmer #farming #farmvideo #farmfun #tractor #tractorvideos #tractorlover #pig #pigfarm... See more

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