Any sustainable homesteading friends out there? What skill should I learn next?!

[LizzzyJo]

I would so love to learn how to can. Im terrified of poisoning everyone with a single bad batch. I would put in the laughing emoji, but it’s a real fear of mine that makes me feel very uncomfortable ☹
Alternative energy sources sound awesome, but like Sally mentioned, it is (designed) to be prohibitively expensive. I was looking into rooftop wind turbines but that didnt really lead anywhere useful.
Composting toilets weird me out, lol! . But are, apparently, safe.

Have you heard of the magazine titled Mother Earth News? It’s a nice read, informative and, of course, has lots of advertisements on the back. Things you might find interesting if not useful. I get mine through my library as a digital “rental”. I have them on my tablet for about 4 years now, so it doesnt just disappear in a couple of weeks like an ebook might.

Beekeeping is something Ive been looking into for quite a while, but apparently we have idiots in our neighborhood that opened their hive two doors down from an already existing one. Now they both have to constantly feed instead of the bees doing bee things because its over populated. Whereas I live far enough away to where I could have opened a hive, now no one else can. Those are also the ones that live on a very busy road and refuse to put up a fence for their chickens. There have been several near accidents because of it. Did I mention it’s a major road for school busses?
Please forgive me but, thankfully, four of them were killed by a predator so now there are only two remaining and its less dangerous on the road now.
Sorry for the bee rant but its an important point to remember that clearly people are not aware of.
Woo! Im getting way off topic! . Sorry! Woke up at 5 to dog diarrhea. Im a little tired and cranky

What about rabbits? They are an excellent source of meat and fur. And for some, bones for different uses, jewelry for one.

I, too, have started buying glass containers for storage because they are inert, dont melt in the microwave, etc. However, they did come with lids, plastic lids

Dont buy things unless absolutely necessary, or buy second hand.

I dont “recycle” any plastic bags because we use them for garbage and dog poo, as well as the litter box.
I usually only go to a store that gives them to you when I need more. Other than that I go to places like Aldi or SaveALot where I can use boxes or my own bags. I know I can use my own anywhere now, but I forget them in the car. Every. Single. Time. I reuse the boxes for whatever. Right now for the quail and the rabbits.

Quail are another great source of meat and eggs.

“If I am the only one in my household who can eat dairy - should I get a dairy goat?”
Goat milk is usually tolerated by those that are lactose intolerant if thats what you are wondering.
You can also eat goat of course, so keep a few and have yet another meat source.

Awesome post! Thank you!

I would so love to learn how to can. Im terrified of poisoning everyone with a single bad batch. I would put in the laughing emoji, but it’s a real fear of mine that makes me feel very uncomfortable ☹
Alternative energy sources sound awesome, but like Sally mentioned, it is (designed) to be prohibitively expensive. I was looking into rooftop wind turbines but that didnt really lead anywhere useful.
Composting toilets weird me out, lol! . But are, apparently, safe.

Have you heard of the magazine titled Mother Earth News? It’s a nice read, informative and, of course, has lots of advertisements on the back. Things you might find interesting if not useful. I get mine through my library as a digital “rental”. I have them on my tablet for about 4 years now, so it doesnt just disappear in a couple of weeks like an ebook might.

Beekeeping is something Ive been looking into for quite a while, but apparently we have idiots in our neighborhood that opened their hive two doors down from an already existing one. Now they both have to constantly feed instead of the bees doing bee things because its over populated. Whereas I live far enough away to where I could have opened a hive, now no one else can. Those are also the ones that live on a very busy road and refuse to put up a fence for their chickens. There have been several near accidents because of it. Did I mention it’s a major road for school busses?
Please forgive me but, thankfully, four of them were killed by a predator so now there are only two remaining and its less dangerous on the road now.
Sorry for the bee rant but its an important point to remember that clearly people are not aware of.
Woo! Im getting way off topic! . Sorry! Woke up at 5 to dog diarrhea. Im a little tired and cranky

What about rabbits? They are an excellent source of meat and fur. And for some, bones for different uses, jewelry for one.

I, too, have started buying glass containers for storage because they are inert, dont melt in the microwave, etc. However, they did come with lids, plastic lids

Dont buy things unless absolutely necessary, or buy second hand.

I dont “recycle” any plastic bags because we use them for garbage and dog poo, as well as the litter box.
I usually only go to a store that gives them to you when I need more. Other than that I go to places like Aldi or SaveALot where I can use boxes or my own bags. I know I can use my own anywhere now, but I forget them in the car. Every. Single. Time. I reuse the boxes for whatever. Right now for the quail and the rabbits.

Quail are another great source of meat and eggs.

“If I am the only one in my household who can eat dairy - should I get a dairy goat?”
Goat milk is usually tolerated by those that are lactose intolerant if thats what you are wondering.
You can also eat goat of course, so keep a few and have yet another meat source.

Awesome post- thank you!

When I learned to can, I only canned pickled things so that it raised my chances of safety. Try starting with pickles and move on from there

I have the same issue with alternate power. The price scares me off even though I have read of govt programs that offset the cost? I need to look more into that.

We have 3 bee hives - if you're looking to not spend too much, I would avoid them. I really enjoy them and the honey, but they are not a cheap hobby.

I feel like we have all woken up at 5am to dog diarrhea - I feel ya!

I raise holland lop rabbits - but CERTAINLY NOT for meat or fur! If you've ever seen a holland lop, then you would know that eating one would be a war crime. lol. I sell them for 4H and family pets.
Have you found success with harvesting meat from yours for your own family or do you try to sell meat or breeding pairs? I've heard a lot about this and am very curious. I think it is a great alternative to factory farm meat. Just not my little loppies How many do you have?

We used to bring our own bags to the grocery, but then covid stopped that. Now we use their paper bags and burn them for kindling. Not perfect, but I think I may try bringing my own bags again soon and see what they say.

I hate that glass tupperware comes with plastic lids!

I think about quail all the time too! Do you have those?

I hadn't considered goat milk being edible by my husband, I was wondering if one goat is too much milk for one person if I am also making butter, yogurt, and cheese?

Thanks!

 

[LizzzyJo]

I don’t know any of the specific’s for breeding. And a lot of that depends on the breed. Most of my knowledge is from research and from friends and neighbors that keep them. Including several who made soap to sell. I hope to get some Nigerian Dwarfs 1 day but sadly that’s probably a few years out.
I would try asking in the Other Pets and Livestock thread or your local extension services site.

I love the idea of making soap. I make little decorative melt and pour soaps all the time, so I would be interested in expanding that. I have also read that you can make soap from wood ash.

 

[Artichoke Lover]

It gets hot in the summer, but not too bad. If I shear them in early summer that would help wouldn’t it?

I would help if you kept them sheared back to about 1 inch for the summer. Leaving a little wool on them will actually help and will prevent them from getting sunburned. You can also keep sheep for milk. As always with livestock your best bet is doing research on what breeds do well in your area and talking with other local sheep keepers they will have the best info and advice for you.

 

[Fishychix]

Awesome post! Thank you!

Awesome post- thank you!

When I learned to can, I only canned pickled things so that it raised my chances of safety. Try starting with pickles and move on from there

I have the same issue with alternate power. The price scares me off even though I have read of govt programs that offset the cost? I need to look more into that.

We have 3 bee hives - if you're looking to not spend too much, I would avoid them. I really enjoy them and the honey, but they are not a cheap hobby.

I feel like we have all woken up at 5am to dog diarrhea - I feel ya!

I raise holland lop rabbits - but CERTAINLY NOT for meat or fur! If you've ever seen a holland lop, then you would know that eating one would be a war crime. lol. I sell them for 4H and family pets.
Have you found success with harvesting meat from yours for your own family or do you try to sell meat or breeding pairs? I've heard a lot about this and am very curious. I think it is a great alternative to factory farm meat. Just not my little loppies How many do you have?

We used to bring our own bags to the grocery, but then covid stopped that. Now we use their paper bags and burn them for kindling. Not perfect, but I think I may try bringing my own bags again soon and see what they say.

I hate that glass tupperware comes with plastic lids!

I think about quail all the time too! Do you have those?

I hadn't considered goat milk being edible by my husband, I was wondering if one goat is too much milk for one person if I am also making butter, yogurt, and cheese?

Thanks!

Regarding milks- you can talk to an allergist to make sure of course, but I think sheeps milk is also okay for most folks.
You want to make sure you do not have unitaskers in general, imo.
I thought about suggesting a goat breed that you can get fiber from also, but they're not bred for milk production. For some reason, sheep escaped me. Lol!! I dont know much about them but I dint think they are bred to be as specialized like goats are so you should findsomething that'll work for you. Do you have a login for the sister site Backyard Herds?Lots of members do.
Im just getting back into rabbits. My American Blues are aroynd 11lbs and dress out at about 50%, I think. The breeder I got mine from dows process, but I haven't yet. I only have those two. The others are more pets.
Yes, Im aware of Hollands too cute, but also not a meat breed that i know of.
I do have quail. Love 'em! They're very productive. Obv they dont provide much in meat each, but they have a very quick turn around. They start laying at around 6 wks and that is also old enough to butcher.
@Nabiki processes her quail. She can give you better info on that.
Im on my phone in the car so i have lots of typos and im sure ive missed some points. I will revisit when i get home. By the way not driving

 

[Nabiki]

I never thought I could, but I learned how. I've written a couple of articles now. I hope these help. I'm interested in low to zero waste myself, which is why I got into quail. I wanted insect control and fertilizer for my garden.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/how-to-process-your-quail-including-gory-pictures.75834/

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/using-every-part-of-your-quail.76213/

 

[Fishychix]

Did you know you can volunteer with your 4H? Im not 100% sure how it works but call your local extension office and they can help. They could also help you with which breeds would work for you.
Have you looked into the Livestock Conservancy? Pick a breed that needs help as long as it fits within your wants/needs/climate.
I inadvertantly ended up with two breeds on the list. Australorp for the chickens and American Blue for the rabbits

I’m not very good with melt and pour soap like some people are, but I like making my own body butters, etc, its fun

 

[itsasmallfarm]

not a homesteader here, but i am in the process of an off grid cabin/farm. (i only use it for a market garden most of summer and trapping and hunting in the fall and winter)

i can't raise live stock for meat there for two reasons, one i don't like raising meat animals and more over the amount of bears/wolves in the area.

but hunting and fishing can offer a lot of meat for a low cost investment (depending on laws and such) after getting your equipment its not a bad investment (if you hunt local and not like 6 hours of driving for one deer)

i don't know i find it tough to reason to my self to raise say one cow for meat for a year, where in theory i could hunt an elk or moose every year (we have over the counter tag options in my province) deer and bears for meat, where mother nature does everything from feeding to watering it.