Welcome to The Homesteading RD's Blog!

Here you'll find my most most recent blog posts. Explore everything from companion planting and vertical gardening to raising meat birds and water glassing eggs. Don't miss my farm-to-table recipes!
A red ranger chicken sitting next to a layer chicken
Raise Chickens

The 7 Best Meat Chickens for Your Homestead

So, you want to put meat on the table yourself, but what are the best meat chickens to raise? There are a lot of different breeds of meat chickens available, each having its own pros and cons. It’s important to do your homework before you jump into raising them. We’ve been raising meat chickens since

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A bundle of grapes held out in front of a group of chickens in the chicken run
Raise Chickens

Can Chickens Eat Grapes? Are They Safe?

Have you ever wondered “can chickens eat grapes?” They aren’t safe for dogs, but what about your flock? Chickens like most fruits and vegetables, but grapes may seem questionable at first glance.  Are they safe? I’ve done the research for you and below we’ll tackle all aspects of this topic: Are grapes safe for chickens?

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3 wooden spoons in a row, each holding a scoop of different rendered fats (schmaltz, bacon grease and tallow)
Farm-to-Table Recipes

Rendering Fat: How to Make Tallow, Lard and Schmaltz

Rendering fat is a traditional skill that involves slowly cooking down animal fats and it’s making a comeback in homestead kitchens. It’s easy to do, affordable, and provides a versatile fat source for high-heat cooking and making things like candles, soap, and skin care products! Another thing that I love about using animal fats is

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A rooster outside with hens pecking at the ground
Raise Chickens

How to Care for Chickens: A Beginners Guide

It can be overwhelming to figure out how to care for chickens when you’re first starting out. With my 6 easy steps, you’ll be well on your way to having a flourishing flock and doing it with confidence!  In this article, we’ll discuss everything from what breed to consider and how to build (or find)

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Fire cider in a mason jar sitting on a wooden cutting board
Farm-to-Table Recipes

Homemade Fire Cider Recipe

My homemade fire cider recipe is sure to help you fight inflammation, knock out a cold and stimulate digestion, all in one swoop! Fire cider is super easy to make and is an incredible tonic that is revered in the herbal medicine community. Elderberry syrup seems to steal all of the press regarding cold and

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A simply wrapped gift with brown paper and twine.
Health & Homesteading

30 Unique Gifts for Homesteaders: The Ultimate Wish List

Finding gifts for homesteaders can be a challenge, but it doesn’t have to be! Homesteaders are practical people who are looking for tools to help them get the job done faster. Gifting some of the items below to an aspiring or seasoned homesteader will undoubtedly bring a smile to their face. In this article, we’ll

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