Hello Reader,

We got quite a surprise Sunday morning when a yearling doe gave birth on day 141 to quintuplets. Although this is our ninth set of quintuplets, it's the first time we had a yearling do it, and it's the first time they've been premature. I'm going to be creating a podcast episode about this and also adding a premie module to the kidding course. This is the first time we've had premature kids since 2009.

🐐 🌱 🐓

Miniature cows may be smaller than traditional cattle, but they are not as small as many people expect. Most still weigh 500 to 1,000 pounds, which means they require thoughtful handling and enough space to stay healthy. Here is what you need to know before bringing one home.

If you want to raise chickens successfully, having the right information makes a big difference. Some books cover everything from housing to predators and even processing, while others are better for simple backyard egg production. Here are a few I recommend, depending on your goals.

🎧 Building a Pantry from Scratch with Kris Bordessa Stocking your pantry does not have to mean buying more from the store. In this episode, we discuss how to make everyday items from scratch and how small changes, like learning one new recipe at a time, can help lower your grocery bill. It is a practical approach to building a more self-reliant kitchen. Listen in

▶ Alfalfa Hay for Wethers: Safe or Risky? Can adult wethers have alfalfa — or is it a recipe for trouble? If you’ve heard conflicting advice, there’s a good reason: it depends. In this video, I clear up the confusion specifically around adult wethers (not kids!) and explain why alfalfa can be risky, the signs to watch for, and how to safely manage feeding when wethers share space with does. Watch video

Happy homesteading!

​
Deborah
and the ThriftyHomesteader Team

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