Homesteading

There are many great reasons to add sheep to your homestead. Whether you’re interested in wool, meat, dairy, help with weeds, showing, or all the above, sheep make useful additions to farms and homesteads of any size. Yet the choice between breeds can be tough. The American Sheep Industry...

Ducks fill a niche on the homestead that no other animal can. Various breeds can either give you a whole lot of meat or a whole lot of eggs, but this article will focus on species that are classified (generally speaking) as dual-purpose birds, meaning you get the best of both worlds. You'll be...

If you’ve decided to raise pigs, one of the first decisions you’ll need to make is what pig breed to choose. There’s a wide variety of pig breeds around the world and many have their own unique characteristics. Below are several factors to consider as you decide what breed might be best for your...

Many folks with backyard flocks of poultry and fowl never realize the goldmine their birds produce. Some people might very well call that a crying shame. The reality is that manure from backyard ducks and chickens is every bit as valuable as other forms of manure yet goes relatively unnoticed, much...

Congratulations, you’re sold on goats! But what breed is right for you? There are many options to choose from, so you should select carefully based on your space and needs. The first domesticated goats are descendants of the wild Bezoar ibex (Capra aegagrus). From the Zagros Mountains of present-day...

Chickens can act pretty strange sometimes. But if you raise chickens, one behavior you’ll want to know how to recognize quickly is broodiness. Broodiness in a chicken is important to identify because depending on your goals with your flock, you might manage the situation in two different ways. What...

The domestic duck has come a long way from what it used to be. And frankly, there’s never been a better time to add some to your homesteading operation. The truth is that raising ducks is actually a little easier than chickens for many reasons, but there are certain things to keep in mind before you...

One of the greatest feelings after a successful hunting season is the satisfaction of providing for yourself and your loved ones. Anticipating all the delicious meals ahead, where the star of the table is something you acquired with your own hard work, makes all those chilly days in the stand or...

There are over a billion goats in the world. It’s not surprising that about 65% of the world’s population drinks goat’s milk. The United States is starting to recognize the value of raising goats for dairy production more and more. Goat's milk has many nutritional advantages not found in other...

Hey everyone, my name is Misty Newcomb and I'm super excited to announce that I'm becoming a contributing member of the Wild + Whole team. I'll be providing insight and tips on a life lived close to the land, all of which I've learned from the generations of farmers who came before me and from...

Goats were one of the first animals domesticated by humans, if not the very first. For 10,000 years they've been by our side, feeding us, clothing us, and fertilizing the soil. It’s no wonder people around the world still rely on goats for their primary sustenance. My journey with goats started when...