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Something has gotten into us this year.
I want to say this spring.
It’s been so sunshiney this year in Cali. I’ve been wearing tshirts and having daily guilt trips when I listen to national weather reports. Maybe that’s what’s gotten into us.
Or maybe it’s that we have many many talented friends and family who are amazing at growing and raising and preparing and preserving their own food (like my friend & running buddy, who is my hero and has butchered and cleaned a chicken. What a woman.)
Whatever it is, we’ve got the bug.
Brent especially has the bug.
It started last summer, when we decided to give up on our dog-house–turned chicken coop and Brent built our new coop (from these online plans).
And now Brent is always looking out for the flock, and showing up with more birds to add to the party every now and then. And it’s only escalated from there.
This is his new favorite book. It’s kinda fun, take a look.
The book has some very cool pointers. And some pretty thought-provoking arguments. And while we are not yet digging our own outdoor latrines yet—yes, you can find pointers for that in the book—we’re kind of getting excited about taking some new steps towards self sufficiency.
We’ve got the coop, and this winter Brent planted a whole orchard.
Thanks to a friend who knows all about that. Since we don’t.
Not bad for a former townhouse couple.
And the kids are now chicken chasing pros.
I’m liking where this is going.
And I am gathering up courage to expand my garden a bit (more on that tomorrow). I am trying to decide if I can pull that off with a new baby this summer. And new chocolate recipes to tweak for the shop. But even more of a concern is whether I can pull it off with my totally black thumb.
And I would really like to get better at composting. Any tips?
In fact, any self-sufficiency tips in general, or favorite sites? I’d love to hear a few. This is so not my area of talent, but I don’t know, I’m kinda getting excited.
{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
You may want to check out Cold Antler Farm’s blog. Jenna has a homestead and has written a book about getting & keeping chickens.
Also, if you have composting questions, We’ve composted for 10+ years. I’d be happy to answer questions, if I can. :)
thank you, Lelainia!! I am excited to check out Cold Antler Farm. And just may take you up on your offer!
Amber! I LOVE it!!! Btw, the link to the online plans didn’t work for me. Kay, quick question–it looks like it’s on raised blocks–do rodents go underneath? We are looking into getting chickens again at some point, and I’m perusing chicken coops. I just don’t want to have skunks and raccoons getting them again. Also, do you let them out to roam? Or are they always in the coop? Oh, and thanks for the shout-out. Hero is a big word, though. Maybe cool chick is sufficient. =)
thanks, Girlie!! I updated the link.
Yes, Brent poured his own cement blocks for one side, and I think purchased them for the other. And he dug that fence down a foot beneath. Someone told me they dug their fence down not only down, but also OUT a couple feet beneath the ground. I thought that was kinda brilliant.
Ya, we let them roam from about 11 am on, so far so good. Then we close it at dusk. They even all scuttle back if they see a hawk in sight.
How ’bout cool hero chick? : )
Tales of Life and Dirt is a great blog about a young couple creating a sustainable farm in Arkansas.
Thank you, Emily!! I am headed over to go peruse right now.
Amber, here is a blog that our friend from eons ago in Michigan (and a shirt-tail relative) has been doing, and he is really putting together a lot of what I have learned in my extensive years trying to be frugal, and I’m learning many new things as well from him. You might enjoy it. He is getting quite a following, so there are many with the same thinking. Have fun! http://www.popapajoe.com/
Thank you Kathy!!! I am headed over to check it out.