Miniature cows are a popular livestock option for small farms and homesteads. They are smaller in size than traditional breeds, making them easier to handle and requiring less space and feed. Despite their smaller stature, miniature cows still provide milk, … Read More
Have you ever made turkey bone broth? Like many Americans, after cutting all the meat off our Thanksgiving turkey, we used to throw the bones in the trash. It breaks my heart now to think of all the lost cups … Read More
Fall means it’s time to breed goats and sheep. Although it’s a totally natural process, there are usually some surprises for new owners experiencing their first breeding season. So, here are five tips for breeding goats and sheep with success. … Read More
Fall is the time when goat, sheep and camelid owners start to see problems with meningeal worm (Parelaphostrongylus tenuis). Unlike intestinal worms, which go to work in an animal’s stomach or intestines as soon as it is ingested by the … Read More
By Kassie Dwyer When you raise dairy goats, you will soon find that even if you have a large family and you are consuming all of the delicious milk, cheese, and yogurt you possibly can (and so are all of … Read More
Before we moved to our farm, I always knew that we’d collect rainwater for our livestock. When visiting my grandparent’s farm and my uncle’s ranch as a child, I recalled they had downspouts that flowed into water troughs. So, when … Read More
By Leslie Johnson The ancestors of the American Karakul surpassed all other sheep in terms of their contribution to mankind. One of the oldest sheep breeds in the world, Karakul Persian lambskins were enormously valued by royalty for their distinct and … Read More
By Lucienne Brown Dorset Horn sheep were bred and developed in England. This is the only breed of English origin that can breed out of season. Easily identified by the all-white bodies, legs, and faces, the ewes carry a set … Read More
Llamas are increasingly gaining recognition as effective guardians for smaller livestock, such as sheep and goats. With their natural instinct to protect and socialize with other animals, they are becoming popular for farmers who need a low-maintenance guardian for their … Read More
If you know me at all, you know I’m a huge fan of home remedies. I remember my mother using baking soda for indigestion, and at the end of a long day, I love taking a bath with epsom salt … Read More
Thrifty Homesteader was created in 2012 after the publication of my second book, Ecothrifty. The name was coined by one of my followers because I said that I didn’t want anyone to think that they had to be rich to homestead or live a greener life....
