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- Why chickens aren’t easy (but worth it!) + Pomodoro your way to productivity now!
Why chickens aren’t easy (but worth it!) + Pomodoro your way to productivity now!
Quick question: Should homesteaders avoid GMOs entirely, or can they serve a purpose in certain conditions, like drought resistance or pest control?
Cedie Omaña
October 20, 2024
QUOTE OF THE DAY
"On the farm, the day begins before the sun rises and ends long after it sets."
— Anonymous
HOMESTEAD TIP OF THE DAY
Build a bug hotel out of old wood, straw, and bamboo – give beneficial insects a cozy spot to hibernate and they’ll reward you in the spring.
Should homesteaders avoid GMOs entirely, or can they serve a purpose in certain conditions, like drought resistance or pest control? |
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IN TODAY'S EDITION
Homestead Tip 🌱
Poll Results From Last Thursday 📊
All Things Homestead: The Challenges of Raising Chickens - Common Problems and Solutions 🐔
Personal Development: Mastering Time Management with the Pomodoro Technique ⌛
Today's Top Picks 🛍️
Let’s Keep It Reel 🤣
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POLL RESULTS FROM LAST THURSDAY
Is hunting and foraging a necessary skill for homesteaders, or should homesteading focus more on cultivated food production?
🟨🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ Hunting and foraging are essential for a well-rounded homestead.
🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ Cultivated food production is more sustainable long-term.
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 Both hunting/foraging and cultivation should be part of homesteading.
⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ It depends on the environment and available resources.
via @beehiiv polls
Feel free to participate in fun polls in our next newsletters! 😉
ALL THINGS HOMESTEAD
The Challenges of Raising Chickens: Common Problems and Solutions 🐔
Raising chickens can be rewarding, but it's not without challenges. From predators to egg-laying issues, there’s a lot to manage. Let's look at some common chicken-keeping problems and how to tackle them.
1. Predators: Keeping Chickens Safe
Chickens have plenty of predators like raccoons, hawks, and even neighborhood dogs.
Solution:
Build a strong coop with secure fencing and use hardware cloth instead of chicken wire for extra protection. Bury the fencing about 6 inches deep to stop digging animals. Motion-sensor lights or a guard dog can also help keep predators away.
2. Diseases: Keeping Your Flock Healthy
Chickens can get diseases like respiratory infections or parasites.
Solution:
Keep the coop clean and well-ventilated. Regularly check for mites or lice, and treat your chickens with natural remedies or over-the-counter solutions. If a chicken gets sick, isolate it and consult a vet.
3. Space: Avoid Overcrowding
Chickens need enough space to move around and avoid stress.
Solution:
Provide at least 4 square feet per chicken inside the coop and 8-10 square feet in the run. If possible, give them more space. Adding roosting bars or dust baths can also help keep them busy and reduce aggression.
4. Egg-Laying Issues: When Production Slows
Chickens sometimes stop laying eggs due to stress, diet, or seasonal changes.
Solution:
Check if they’re molting or stressed. Make sure their diet is rich in calcium and protein. If winter is causing the slowdown, consider adding a light in the coop to simulate longer daylight hours.
5. Pests: Keeping the Coop Clean
Mites, lice, and rodents can create problems in your coop.
Solution:
Keep the coop clean, remove dirty bedding often, and dust your chickens with diatomaceous earth to prevent pests. Use traps for rodents, but avoid chemicals that can harm your flock.
6. Weather: Managing Heat and Cold
Extreme weather can affect chickens, causing heat stress in summer or frozen water in winter.
Solution:
In hot weather, provide shade and plenty of water. In winter, insulate the coop but make sure it’s still ventilated. Use heated waterers or check water frequently to prevent freezing.
PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT
Mastering Time Management with the Pomodoro Technique ⌛
Feeling like there’s never enough time to get everything done? The Pomodoro Technique might be your answer. It was developed by Francesco Cirillo, and it’s outlined in The Pomodoro Technique.
What is the Pomodoro Technique?
The idea is simple: work for 25 minutes, then take a 5-minute break. Each 25-minute session is called a "Pomodoro." After four Pomodoros, take a longer break, around 15-30 minutes, to rest and recharge.
How It Works:
Pick a Task
Choose a task to focus on—whether it’s big or small.Set a Timer for 25 Minutes
Start your timer and commit to working without distractions for those 25 minutes.Work and Stay Focused
If distractions pop up, note them down and get back to your task.Take a 5-Minute Break
When the timer goes off, take a quick break—grab a snack, stretch, or get some fresh air.Repeat and Take Longer Breaks
After four Pomodoros, take a longer break to really reset before jumping back in.
Why It Works:
The Pomodoro Technique helps break tasks into small, doable chunks. It keeps your focus sharp, prevents burnout, and gives you a better sense of how long things actually take.
Benefits:
Boosts Focus: The timer keeps you locked into your task, reducing distractions.
Avoids Burnout: Regular breaks keep your energy levels up and prevent mental exhaustion.
Increases Awareness: You'll better understand how long tasks really take, helping with future planning.
Real-Life Example:
If you're working on organizing your homestead, use a Pomodoro to focus just on sorting your tools. Take a break, then tackle cleaning the shed. Before you know it, you’ll make real progress without feeling overwhelmed.
Tips for Success:
Start with Shorter Sessions: If 25 minutes feels long, start with 15.
Use Pomodoro Apps: There are plenty of apps that help track your Pomodoros—Tomato Timer, for example.
Stay Flexible: If you get interrupted, simply pause and restart your timer.
Common Mistakes:
Overstuffing Tasks: Focus on small steps, not trying to cram too much into one Pomodoro.
Skipping Breaks: It’s tempting to push through, but taking breaks is key to keeping your energy up.
THE STEADY HOME’S GIGGLE CHAMBER
Why did the apples go on strike?
They felt they were being picked on too much.
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!
If you haven’t seen a flock of chickens working together, you’ve got to check out this hilariously funny video:
@c_wondersoffarming Team work! #chicken #farming #corn #funny #animals agriculture
When you’re all excited to visit your farmstead, but then you spot your two goats stuck together by their horns:
@_.rilo._ Came home to the twins stuck together. Welcome to the #stinkygoatfarm #farmlife #goatsoftiktok #farmgoats
Just two duck besties, and one of them is super extra:
@legacylanefarm #funnyanimals #duck #farm #farmfun #pettingzoo #NH
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