Hello Reader,

Thinking about getting some ducks for your farm? Before you jump in, read what Rebekah Pierce of J&R Pierce Family Farm has to say about the negatives she wishes she had known before she got ducks—and also why they're still 100% worth the trouble!

Chickens can be a good addition to a farm—they're generally easy to care for and pay you back with fresh eggs and meat. But they do require some planning before you bring home your first brood. Here are some considerations and pro-tips to aid you as you search for your ideal breeds.

When venturing into the world of goats, one of the first questions to pop up is "how many?" Outside of the obvious "2 or more" since they're a herd animal or "as many as possible!" because they're so darn cute, you have to take stock of what you are going to use them for—meat or milk—and how much you'll need. Let me help you with the math.

Want to raise your own meat but have limited space? Raising rabbits can be a great option, but they can be a bit challenging at times. In this article, Leah Lynch shares some top tips that she has learned first-hand over two decades of raising meat rabbits, including how often to breed your doe and the number one reason for kit death.

🎧 History of Nigerian Dwarf Goats in ADGA The story of how the Nigerian Dwarf came to be accepted into ADGA is very much an underdog tale with under-appreciated, under-sized goats and a group of dedicated people to sing their praises, including Karyl Dronen. Listen in as Karyl shares how they worked to get the Nigerian Dwarf the recognition it deserved. Listen in

▶ Double dwarf gene in goats? When kids are born super small, does that mean they have received a "double dwarf gene"? In this video, I discuss this assertion that has been spread around social media, particularly Facebook, and clarify why some kids are born undersized. Watch video

📄French Bread Recipe It seems that baking decorative loaves of bread has become more and more popular over the past several years, but some people are afraid it is too difficult to produce a pleasing baguette or braid. Give this simple french bread recipe a try. It's both forgiving and fun! Try this recipe!

🏡On the homestead and in my life...

In addition to the pinched nerve in my neck, some kind of a stomach bug has derailed me this week so I’m falling behind on work.

Mike butchered two more turkeys that he cut up and ground up. I love eating turkey burgers, fried turkey tenders, and grilled turkey strips on salad. We didn’t raise any turkeys last year and I’m excited to have our own turkey meat available again. He’s also been making soap to get our inventory up after the sale we had last month.

Happy homesteading!

​
Deborah
and the ThriftyHomesteader Team

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PS: Have two minutes to spare? I’d love to hear what you'd like me to create in 2025! Your feedback helps me focus on the topics that matter most to you. Click here to share your thoughts in this quick survey.

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