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Poultry
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20 guidesWhich chicken?
Which chicken should you keep? There are hundreds of different races to choose from. If you want to produce both meat and eggs, it’s best to choose two different races. Split your chicken house into two different areas. If you are new to chicken farming it may be best to just buy chicken from your […]
Using your Chicken as workers :)
Chickens are incredible workers on a homestead when we use permaculture principles. Permaculture is all about working with nature and creating a sustainable and harmonious system. Let me explain how chickens can play a valuable role as workers in a permaculture-inspired homestead: By using chickens in a permaculture-inspired way, we create a system where everything […]
Humane slaughtering of chicken
Slaughtering chickens humanely is essential to ensure their well-being and to respect the animals’ lives. Here’s a simple explanation of humane ways to slaughter chickens and how to pack the meat: Humane Slaughtering Process: Packing the Meat: After the chicken is slaughtered and properly drained of blood, it’s time to pack the meat for storage […]
How many chicken do you need?
How many chicken should you keep to feed your family or village? Here we give simple calculations based on a village of 5 families and around 20 people. Eggs: 5 families, thus 20 people, eat on average 1 egg per day = 20 eggs per day. Thus you need 30 egg laying chicken (not all […]
Chicken: Sources and Resources
There are many popular websites and YouTube channels where you can learn about chicken keeping for a homestead. Here are some of the top ones: Websites: YouTube Channels: Always remember that new channels and websites may emerge, and some older ones may change or become inactive. Be sure to check the latest content and reviews […]
Chicken House (Coop)
On farmsteads, various types of chicken houses are used to provide shelter and protection for the chickens. Each type has its advantages and is designed to meet specific needs. Here are some common types of chicken houses: Remember that the choice of chicken house depends on factors like the number of chickens, available space, climate, […]
Chicken Feed
Grow your own chicken feed Growing your own organic chicken feed on a farmstead in arid South Africa can be a sustainable and cost-effective way to provide nutritious food for your chickens. Here are some methods to consider: Remember to balance the different components of your homemade chicken feed to ensure it meets the nutritional […]
Feeding the chicken
Here are some common weeds that can be grown as chicken feed without needing much water: When offering weeds as chicken feed, it’s essential to ensure they are free from pesticides, herbicides, and other harmful chemicals. Avoid gathering weeds from areas close to roads or where pollutants may be present. Additionally, do not overfeed weeds […]
Caring for Chicken
Taking care of chickens on a homestead in arid South Africa is an exciting responsibility. Here’s a simple guide to help you with the basics: 1. Shelter: Build or set up a secure chicken coop to protect your chickens from extreme heat, cold, rain, and predators. Ensure good ventilation to keep the air fresh. 2. […]
Brooding
Brooding chickens means taking care of baby chicks when they are young and need extra warmth and protection. Let’s explore some simple homemade ways and tools to brood chickens both with and without electric lamps: Brooding with Electric Lamp: Brooding without Electric Lamp: Remember, whether you’re using an electric lamp or natural methods, it’s crucial […]
Pigeons
Keeping pigeons can be beneficial for smallholder farmers in various ways, and feeding them homegrown feed can be cost-effective and rewarding. Here’s a simple guide on why and how to keep pigeons and feed them with homegrown food: Why Keep Pigeons: How to Keep Pigeons and Feed Them Homegrown Feed: Remember, starting small and gradually […]
Geese
Keeping geese on a small permaculture homestead can be super cool and beneficial in many ways. Let’s explore why geese are great and how you can care for them and even have baby geese! Benefits of Keeping Geese: How to Keep and Breed Geese: Remember, keeping geese can be a rewarding and fun experience. Treat […]