- Aug 1, 2013
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Thank you! Some great stuff in that post.I think it's good that you take account of what you buy and what you supply for yourself.
I always cringe when I read about homesteaders, but one or the other is a writer or some other profession. OR they inherited the property or live on land their parents or some other relative own. I gave DW a small plaque I bought that says "every successful Rancher has a woman who works in town".
I've recently decided to keep files on what I spend on my chickens and what I sell. Records are important.
So far what we spend on chickens and feed is more than if we bought eggs outright. BYC helps think about how to save and manage my chickens. One thing I've learned is don't put all you chickens in one basket. I keep a variety of breeds since they're laying cycles and habits can vary. This way I have eggs at all times, though I will say my Dels are best. Hybrids are better layers. Dual purpose is best but many breeds have been ruined and some of us here are trying to fix that. Utility and heartiness is my goal in breeding and keeping.
It can be hard to figure on crops and quantity. How much is needed and how much to plant. Though I suppose more is better, since it does a body good to donate to the less fortunate.
So that said since I began, We no longer buy eggs of course, I do can jellies and jams, tomatoes and freeze some other vegetables.
Now be aware that while we did pay to pick apples, there are free apples and fruit out there if you can find abandoned orchards. My neighbor gave me apples that only needed to be peeled for free. Another neighbor has a pear tree loaded that also will need to be peeled but are fine other wise.
I trade chickens/chicks/ hatching eggs for hay. Find a farmer who needs to clean out his barn for the new years harvest.
We no longer buy garlic. An easy crop to grow in my raised beds.
I have a Granny Smith apple tree to plant and garlic of course. We got our first frost last night.
If you can't afford magazines go to the book store and have a look for free. Though Mother Earth news is affordable IMO. Or share a subscription. I do subscribe but then barter with back issues if I can.
Remember to collect that cardboard for mulch. Store it up if need be. Saves lots of time. Remember to use #19 cans or other things around the plants you can to conserve and save time watering.
Homesteading to me is an on going process. I like how it evolves so I don't get bored.
I wish you well,
Rancher
I like that you pointed out that Homesteading is an always evolving process.This is the end of my first year living this way. I can already see that the next couple of decades will roll by quickly with each year's progress being built upon last year's accomplishments.
I keep meticulous records. I do not want to blindly handle my expenses and finances. It's easy to see how keeping chickens can get expensive simply by not paying attention. I don't think breaking even on expenses will be hard, I just need to figure which route will work best for me....selling eggs, day old chicks, layers, or processed chickens? Maybe a specific breed? I'm not sure, but over the course of the next year I'm sure I'll figure it out.