Hello Reader,
I have spent the last week and a half trying to dispel the myth that lye is a dewormer! It is so frustrating that a video promoting lye as a dewormer has been viewed more than 145,000 times now, and subsequent videos promoting it have been viewed 12,000 and 11,000 times. Reading the comments is so sad because there are people who have real worm problems, and they are going to follow this advice to use a treatment that won't help.
My original video, Do NOT Deworm Your Animals With Lye, has not even reached a thousand views yet, and my second video, Lye is NOT a Dewormer, which I did with Dr. Joan Burke, a parasite researcher who has published dozens of studies on alternative parasite management, has had less than 500 views. If you haven't seen them yet, please check out at least one of them and give it a thumbs up or comment so that the YouTube algorithm will think it's worth showing to more people. I have never cared about views in the past, but it's so sad to think of how many animals will die as a result of this misinformation!
I've also spent the last few days working on an article about this topic. I talk about why the "scientific studies" quoted by one person are irrelevant and how science explains why someone "thinks" a treatment works when it does not. It's almost midnight Wednesday, and I'm still tweaking and adding and editing, but I know I need to get it out there, and it's okay if it's not perfect! The great thing about articles is that they're easy to edit if I find something else to add. You can read my article about lye as a dewormer here!
Fertility is extremely important when breeding season arrives. Flushing has been a practice on some farms in an effort to increase fertility, but is it necessary or even beneficial? In this article, I walk you through the ins and outs of getting your does (and bucks!) into top condition for breeding season.
With a name that literally means heartbreakers, you are almost guaranteed to fall in love with Crèvecœur chickens. From the tip of their crested heads to their slate gray feet, these French chickens are ideal as pets or a specialty meat breed. After bordering on extinction, they have been making a comeback. Could they find a home on your farm?
Chinese geese are more than just beautiful, swan-like birds—they can be hardworking additions to your homestead. From keeping weeds and algae under control to producing an impressive number of eggs, these active foragers bring both practicality and charm. In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about raising, breeding, and caring for Chinese geese.
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🎧 The Science of Goat Milk and Skin Care
Goat milk soap has been cherished for centuries, but what does the science say about its skin benefits? In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Brent Ridge of Beekman 1802 to dig into the research on goat milk’s unique properties—from pH balance to probiotics—and why it can be such a game-changer for sensitive skin. If you’ve ever wondered whether goat milk is more than just a folk remedy, you’ll love this fascinating conversation.
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▶ It Worked for My Goat… Or Did It? How the Placebo Effect Misleads Us
As animal caregivers, it’s easy to believe a treatment works just because our goat, sheep, or cow seems better afterward. But what if that improvement is only in our minds? In this video, we uncover the caregiver placebo effect, how it shows up in livestock care, and why the right dose—or proven treatment—matters.
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📄Cheddar Garlic Biscuits
These savory cheddar garlic biscuits are quick to make and sure to replace the commercial boxed mixes from the store. They have been a staple in my kitchen for over twenty years. The addition of buttermilk provides both tenderness and a slight tang to the finished biscuit. With fall approaching, these biscuits are perfect paired with a comforting soup or hearty stew.
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Happy homesteading!
Deborah
and the ThriftyHomesteader Team
