5 Surprisingly Simple Homesteading Tips

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This article will give you 5 simple homesteading tips you can use to save a bit of time and money on your own homestead. Homesteading doesn’t always have to be sweet, sore muscles, and hard work sometimes, it can be simple, and that is what today is all about.

You can use these simple homesteading tips to do more on your homestead and get one step closer to living a simple life. 

When you’re raising animals and growing your own food, there’s so much to learn. Over the years, I’ve discovered that tips from others have made a big difference in my own homesteading journey.

My hope is to pay that forward by sharing what I’ve picked up along the way.

Not all of my simple homesteading tips are groundbreaking or worth shouting from the rooftops. Honestly, some of them are incredibly simple. But you know what? Those simple tips are often the ones that end up making the biggest difference.

Take crop rotation, for example. When I first heard about it, I thought it was only something big farmers needed to worry about. But then someone told me it works even for the smallest backyard gardens. The idea is pretty simple—just switch up where you plant things every year or two. And honestly, the results are amazing. My plants got healthier, my harvests got bigger, and pests and diseases weren’t nearly as bad.

It’s such a small change, but it’s made a huge difference in how we grow things.

Starting a Homesteading Library

One of the best ways to benefit from advice others share is to write it down. Listening to tips is helpful, but having them all in one place to refer to whenever you need guidance? That’s a game-changer. Creating a home resource library is a practical step toward a more self-sufficient lifestyle. If you haven’t started one yet, I’d really encourage you to give it a try.

Your library can be as simple or as detailed as you’d like. Stock it with homesteading books, frugal living guides, and maybe even a binder to keep printed-out tips you come across and love. This collection of skills and knowledge can become your go-to resource, helping you troubleshoot, plan, and learn as you go. It’s an easy thing to set up, but over time, it might just become one of the most valuable tools in your self-sufficient living toolkit.

Surprisingly Simple Homesteading Tips 

Sometimes, it’s the easiest fixes that pack the biggest punch, like these simple homesteading tips that don’t take much effort but can make a world of difference. Whether you’re just starting out or you’ve been at it for years, these straightforward ideas are here to save you time, energy, and maybe even a headache or two. The best part? They’re so easy to work into your daily routine that you’ll wonder why you didn’t try them sooner.

Tip #1 Train Your Chickens

If you free-range your hens, you know how tricky it can be to get them back into the coop at the end of the day. Free-ranging means letting your chickens roam your yard or property during the day to scratch for bugs, worms, and grubs. It’s great for their health, will give you bigger and tastier eggs, and if you have a garden, they will keep pests to a minimum.

Bonus points for the fact that they’re feeding themselves throughout the day, saving you money on feed costs.

The downside? Free-ranging leaves your flock more vulnerable to predators. That’s why teaching your chickens to come when called is such a lifesaver.

It’s easier than you might think, too. Chickens are super food-motivated, so use that to your advantage. Every time you feed them, pair a specific word or sound with their meal. For example, I like to say “chick-chick-chick” while shaking a bucket of grain. They’ll quickly connect the sound and word with food and come running whenever they hear it.

Using this call at night

Chickens usually find their way back to the coop at dusk, but every now and then, someone doesn’t make it back safely. If you notice one of your hens is missing, try giving a quick call like, “chick, chick, chick,” while shaking a bucket of feed.

If it’s not too dark, this trick often works like a charm. But if it doesn’t, your next move is to take a quick walk around your yard. Hens like to roost off the ground at night, so check the trees or any high spots nearby. I’ve found plenty of adventurous hens this way.

Tip #2: Cooling Treats for All Your Animals

When summer brings those sweltering days, a cool treat can make a world of difference for all your small livestock—not just chickens but also goats, pigs, and ducks. These treats don’t just help them cool off; they’re a great way to keep everyone hydrated, too.

First is Water

One of the main reasons animals fall ill in the summer is dehydration, so it’s absolutely essential to make sure everyone has fresh, cool water available at all times. Put out extra bowls in the barn, near shelters, and in pastures.

On particularly hot days, a little something extra can go a long way.

Keeping an Eye on Heat Stress

Different animals handle heat in different ways. Chickens, for example, usually do just fine in mild warm weather, but when the thermometer climbs too high, they start to struggle. Around 74 degrees, they’re pretty comfortable, but extended stretches of heat can cause stress, slow egg production, or even make them sick.

You can tell if your chickens are overheated by looking for signs like panting, open beaks, lethargy, or pale wattles and combs. Other small livestock have their own signs of heat stress, too

Goats might seem listless or avoid eating, pigs will pant loudly, and ducks may start holding their wings away from their body or avoiding the sun entirely. Acting quickly to help them cool down is key.

Treat Ideas Everyone Will Love

Cooling treats are a fun and simple solution. For chickens, goats, pigs, and ducks, frozen fruits and veggies are always a hit. I like to save scraps from meals to freeze ahead of time, like vegetable peels, watermelon rinds, cantaloupe, apple cores, squash ends, or even corn cobs. You can take a handful, cover it with water in a bowl, and freeze it. On a hot day, just pop the frozen treat out of the bowl and serve it up.

Smaller animals, like ducks and chickens, especially love pecking at icy snacks, and bigger animals, like goats and pigs, enjoy them, too. You can even freeze things like leftover veggie soup (without too much salt), cooked rice, or overly ripe fruit. Just about anything that’s safe and wholesome can become a cooling treat.

A Few Things to Keep in Mind

Not all snacks are safe for your animals, so stick to what’s good for them. Avoid salty, processed, or sugary foods like chips, cookies, or cereal. Moldy or spoiled items should also be a no-go; always check scraps before freezing.

Hot days are tough on all of us, but with a bit of planning, you can easily keep your chickens, goats, pigs, and ducks healthy, hydrated, and happy. Plus, your animals will love the extra attention and the cool, delicious rewards!

Tip #3 – Healthier Plants

Got planters full of herbs or veggies growing in containers, or maybe even a straw bale garden on your porch or deck? If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably struggled to remember to water them, especially during those scorching summer days. It’s so easy to forget, but sadly, just one missed day can leave your plants wilting in the sun.

Here’s a simple fix that worked wonders for me. Set a daily alarm on your phone, Alexa, or even your Apple Watch for 8 a.m. That little nudge is all you’ll need to make watering a part of your morning routine.

While you’re at it, take a few extra moments to check in on your plants’ health. Gently touch the leaves, flip them over, and look for signs of trouble like spots, discoloration, eggs, bug bites, or any pests lurking around. Catching these issues early can save your plants from disaster.

SLCG Pro Tip – Potted plants can suffer in intense sunlight, with the heat scorching them in no time. On extra-hot days, move them to a shadier spot if possible. Tuck them under a chair, a table, or somewhere that offers a bit of relief. Your plants will thank you with healthier leaves and blooms all summer long.

Tip #4 – Keep Goat Milk Fresh

When I first started raising goats, I learned a surprising lesson pretty quickly: fresh milk absorbs barn smells fast. We’re talking just a few minutes, and suddenly that milk can take on a taste that’s… well, not so fresh. If you’ve ever poured a glass of milk and noticed an off flavor, you know how disappointing it can be.

Luckily, there’s an easy fix. The key to delicious-tasting milk is cooling it down as quickly as possible. Here’s how it works:

1. The night before milking, I put a few mason jars into the fridge or freezer.
2. In the morning, pack those chilled jars into a soft cooler with some frozen peas or ice packs and bring them out to the barn where you milk.
3. After milking each goat, pour the milk straight into one of the cold jars and return it back to the cooler.
4. Finish milking each goat, repeating the process.
5. When finished, bring the milk inside and transfer it into another pre-chilled jar using a filter to remove any dust or dirt. Be sure to write the date on the lid so you can keep track of freshness.
6. Keep the cooling going by placing the jar in a bowl of ice water in the fridge. I like to use half-gallon mason jars with reusable plastic lids. This saves space in our fridge.

I know it might sound like a lot of little steps, but trust me, it’s quick and so worth the effort. By cooling your milk as fast as possible, you’ll get that clean, delicious flavor every time.

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More Goat Resources:

• How to Get the Best Tasting Goat Milk Every Time
• What to do When Your Goat Doesn’t Want to be Milked
• DIY Goat Playground

Tip #5 – Broken or Frozen Chicken Eggs

Have you ever broken an egg while collecting them from the coop? It’s such a pain, right? It feels almost as bad as spilled milk for a dairy farmer. Even worse, have you left your collection too long in winter, only to find some eggs frozen solid?

Whenever that happens, don’t throw those eggs away. Instead, scramble them up and give your hens a healthy, protein-packed treat. If you’re feeling extra fancy, toss in some fresh herbs to make it even tastier for them and boost their health and immune systems. Especially during those colder months, your chickens will love the warm eggs, and they’ll benefit from the added nutrition.

How to Save and Prepare Them

For those with larger flocks like mine, here’s the system I like to use. Any cracked, broken, or heavily soiled eggs are placed in a mason jar and stored in the freezer. At the end of the week, I thaw them out, scramble them up, and take the mixture to the coop.

Feeding your hens hot scrambled eggs on a frigid winter morning is not only a nutritious treat but also a wonderful way to keep them warm.

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Why Feed Eggs Back to Your Chickens?

I’ll admit, when I first heard this tip, I was skeptical. Feed eggs to my chickens? But it turns out, there’s good science behind it.

Eggs are packed with protein, vitamins, and minerals that chickens need to stay healthy and lay strong, quality eggs. Scrambled eggs act like a nutrient boost for your flock, supplying them with essentials they might miss from their regular feed. Plus, cracked or broken eggs can attract predators or pests to your coop, so feeding them back to your hens is a smart way to make use of them.

What About Egg-Eating Habits?

You might be worried about encouraging your chickens to eat their own eggs. Here’s the good news: as long as you’re only giving them scrambled eggs occasionally and not as a daily treat, it shouldn’t be a problem. Chickens are clever creatures, and a once-a-week treat won’t make them start cracking eggs themselves.

Added Benefits for Your Flock

Eggs can also support calcium intake for your hens. As chickens get older, they sometimes lay eggs with thinner shells that are more likely to break. Feeding them eggs occasionally can help replenish lost nutrients and support healthier eggshells over time.

By recycling broken or frozen eggs into a healthy snack, you’re keeping your flock happy, healthy, and well-fed while reducing food waste.

When you’re homesteading, thinking outside the box is key.

This mindset can help you breathe new life into things you might otherwise toss out. Remember the saying, “Use it up, wear it out, make do”? It’s not just a motto; it’s a game-changer for saving money and becoming more self-sufficient.

Homesteading is all about making the most of what you have. By staying resourceful and gathering simple homesteading tips along the way, you’ll always have clever tricks up your sleeve when you need them most.

More Homesteading Resources:

• 15 Ways to Homestead No Matter Where You Live
• Planning Projects on the Homestead
• Realistic Ways to Make Money With Your Homestead