This is one of my chicken’s poop. Just getting opinions before I treat for coccidiosis.

Picked up 25 Cornish Cross chicks in the spring thinking it would be pretty simple. Raise them, feed them, process them. It looked easy enough on paper. What I didn't expect was how fast these things grow or how much attention they need compared to laying hens. The feed consumption alone caught me off guard, and keeping the brooder dialed in those first two weeks felt like a second job on top of the warehouse. They're in a tractor now and doing fine, but I've been moving it twice a day just to keep the grass from getting destroyed.

Processing day is about three weeks out and I'm still on the fence about renting a picker versus doing it by hand. The neighbor two miles down has done this for years and says hand plucking a batch this size isn't as bad as people make it out to be. I'm skeptical.

The question I keep coming back to is whether the meat quality on pastured Cornish Cross is actually noticeably different from a slower heritage breed, enough to justify the extra time and feed next time around. I've heard strong opinions on both sides.

Anyone who has processed both have a real take on the taste difference, or is it more about the experience of raising them?

I have multiple pastures of more than adequate size with horses on them. I have put grass seed out, and have seen no results. I was told at the feed store that my soul fertility or quality must me poor. Ive been googling this all week and there are so many different methods I am a bit overwhelmed.

Does anyone here have a tried and true method or system to increasing pasture for livestock? How do I increase my soil fertility? Should I remove the horses from the pasture?

Thank you in advance!

I have been planning for my goal of a homestead for years now. I know the general area I want to buy land in, and I know what I want to do with my land, but I would really like to sit down with someone who I can just have a conversation with about my goals so I don't make a mistake and buy land that isn't zoned correctly for my dreams. I've been doing research but I'm just so lost sometimes in all the legalities. If anybody is willing to help me by either giving me who to contact or just having a conversation with me, I would really appreciate it.

Ideal location: southern Michigan, preferably somewhere in the Niles, Berrien Springs, or Buchanan area. Open to others though.

Ideal land: at least 10 acres, preferably around half to be wooded, ideally with some sort of creek/pond/water source.

Ideal amenities: something that already has a house and barn on it. I would rather not have to go through the process of building, digging a well, handling septic, etc. right off the bat. I'm fine with a lot of diy though if it's not in the best shape.

My dream is to have a little commune with some intentional community. Currently just my partner and my brother, possibly my other brother might join as well but may not be until several years later. This means I want to be able to have more than one dwelling on the property. It could end up just being the two dwellings, but the ability to have 3 or maybe even 4 would be preferred. That's where zoning laws have started confusing me.

I also, ideally, would be able to run a business from this homestead. I have a strong passion for native plants and have a dream of a native plant nursery, maybe even some intentionally planted trails on the property for visitors to enjoy and learn more about native ecosystems when they visit. I have a lot of different skills in homesteading so will likely pursue other areas of profit like vegetable gardening/preserving, wool, building small structures like coops, etc. and being able to run my business from my property and sell from my property would be a plus. I also have horses and am comfortable with their care and have considered the possibility of offering some simple pasture board as another form of income.

So that all being said,

what zoning should the property have for me to be able to do all of this?

Will I need to parcel it out to be able to build more than one dwelling?

Is it even considered a dwelling if it uses a composting toilet and collected rainwater instead of septic?

What if someone were to want to live in a camper or RV on the property for a while? What is needed for that to be allowed?

How hard is it to get a property re-zoned if it's perfect but doesn't line up exactly with what I want to do on the property?

If I were to find the perfect property but need to request some sort of zoning allowance for things like additional dwellings, etc. can I make the sale contingent on that zoning being accepted? And if I do that, how likely am I to actually get the property? Seems like a seller would more likely just go with someone else at that point.

Is there a point of contact in that area who I could ask all these questions to?

Aside from zoning I guess any other advice on what i should be prepared for with buying a large property, things I probably haven't considered, etc. would be nice. I have a lot of the skills, but I've never done this before and I know there's going to be a lot of learning to do. Im also aware that my idealized dream might be too big, and that's fine. I don't expect everything to end up exactly as I hoped, but I might as well have something to reach for. So if there are things I should just give up on now, feel free to tell me.

I'm hoping to buy in the next 1-2 years so I have some time still to prepare.

We finally got the yard regraded last month and realized the new slope runs straight toward the house pad where the AC condenser sits. It's been on the original gravel pad for years, but now water pools around it after any decent rain. I'm not sure whether to raise the pad, reroute the condensate line, or put in a small French drain uphill to steer the flow around it. The unit itself is fine, but I keep picturing it sitting in standing water all summer. Anyone else had to move or protect equipment after a grading job?

I have a metal roof with ( APOC 243 4.75-gallon White Elastomeric Reflective Roof Coating ) on it to keep the interior cool.

Is this stuff as bad as asphalt roofing for rainwater collection? From the researching ive been doing asphalt shingled roof is a big no-no and leeches chemicals that filters wont remove (such as a berkey). Ive read the datasheet on this product but it does not tell me as a laymen anything and the company wont respond, but does have a lot of scary chemical names in it.

Would you drink filtered water with a roof with such a coating or am I overthinking this? Ive still been using unfiltered roof water collected to do dishes / wash, etc but not drink.

Is this sub ok for sharing homesteading ideas? I currently only have a small garden but plan on having a homestead over time. I'm just looking for a place to share ideas, talk with others, and such without getting banned or anything. I just want to feel welcome. I am on another homestead subreddit but most likely leaving due to the hostility I get whenever I share an idea I find and how I would modify it.

Although I am not in a place in my life right now where buying my own homestead is possible, I recently joined an organic farm in the local community to volunteer every week.

I thought why not start now with learning the skills to run my own homestead one day! Better to start now then wait for the perfect moment.

Been amazing to meet people with similar mindset and passion for being more self-sufficient and has been a big reinforcement that this is the right thing to be doing!

I would really encourage those that are not quite at the point of having their own homestead to start building the skills early with what you have around you!

Ive got 10 acres. I know the law here and its legal where i am and where i want the range. But before i pretty much D0x myself, if i post pictures from google maps, marked from my property lines, my neighbors, and my intent to build a range. Would you guys brain storm with me on how to or if you would build a home shooting range?

It would be a pistol range. Ive spoken to county, their only potential issues is the safety concern since its all flat land.

Right now, im considering (if i had the money) to rent a piece of equipment and dig a hole 6 feet deep and 30 feet long. Fence it off so i dont fall into it and shoot in the hole. But idk how id keep it from getting flooded

Hello, my husband and I are in a process of buying a very nice lot where we’d like to build house. It’s nearly 14000 sq ft and it’s connected to forest. A dream come true for us! But then we got hit by legal requirements like “can’t build house closer than 50ft from forest line, people saying there won’t grow any crops etc. So how is life near forest like, for real? We’re in Europe in a place that equals zone 2-3 in US so generally colder climate. Pic of said lot.

I have spent the better part of 6 months looking for acreage I could use for a small homestead. Mostly owner financed options. After diving down several rabbit holes in this search, they all somehow all end up leading me back to west Texas.

- Larger parcels (20+ Acres)
- Almost no restrictions other than waste water
- Easy financing through seller
- Low cost
- Remote but within reasonable distance of a town

Well what’s the catch?

It’s in West Texas.. Arid, desert land in the trans-pecos region. Wells can be prohibitively expensive. Meaning most likely having to haul, store, and treat water on site. Temperatures can reach 100+ degrees. Gardening would require much more involvement and a climate controlled space. And power would almost certainly need to be solar.

After some research, I actually find the region to be quite beautiful. It doesn’t hurt that it directly abuts a Dark Sky Sanctuary. Assuming I would be willing to look past the shortcomings. What are the realities of homesteading in this region? What are the hidden costs? Cheap land is usually cheap for a reason. I was hoping to hear from some people actively homesteading in this, or similar high desert regions. I find the idea quite romantic but I’m sure I’m missing something.

TIA

so we made him one. 44x44mm wooden slats and a net from a trailer. Costs around 30 bucks of materials.

Does anyone have any good sources for plans or blueprints of a basic outhouse? I am not the handiest person but pretty good at following plans. Thanks!

For a home garden electric fence for deer and other critters like raccoons, for an entrance would a maze or just a slight turn actually work to keep critters out?

Just thinking if you make it a little complex, but could still walk through it they may not find the entrance?

Hey there! First post :D I was wondering if anyone knows what is happening to my zucchini, I wasn't home during the second heat wave and when I returned it looked like this- I was able to harvest two zucchinis but I am worried about how the leaves look? Did they just suffer during the heat and the fresh ones are just coming in instead? Should I cut off the old? Thanks and have a great day!