homesteading

Why Rabbits Might Beat Chickens on a Small Homestead

When we started our homestead, we began with chickens. That feels like the natural order of things for most people. Later, we added rabbits. While it was a learning curve, now that we’ve figured out the best care and have our colonies settled, I can confidently make the case for rabbits over chickens.

Here’s why:

  • Cleaner – Rabbits are tidier and produce manure that’s garden-ready without composting.
  • Easier to Handle – They’re quiet, gentle, and simple to manage.
  • Simpler to Process – Butchering rabbits is less labor-intensive than chickens.
  • Excellent Mothers – Rabbits are attentive and reliable breeders.
  • Extraordinary compost – Rabbit waste is ready for use immediately and truly enriches soil. 
  • Highly Prolific – With just two does and a buck, you can raise over 200 lbs of organic meat in a year.
  • Delicious – In my opinion, rabbit meat tastes better than chicken!

I’ll admit, fresh eggs from chickens are nice but meat chickens don’t typically provide eggs. Rabbits, on the other hand, offer consistent meat production year-round.

We raise ours colony style, though many prefer cages. Both methods have advantages, and it’s all about finding what works for you. All in all, raising rabbits is a rewarding endeavor for any small homestead.

Rabbits vs. Chickens: Quick Comparison

FeatureRabbitsChickens
Space NeededMinimal (stackable hutches or colony space)Larger coop and run required
Noise LevelSilentClucking and crowing
ManureGarden-ready immediatelyRequires composting
Meat Yield200+ lbs/year (2 does + buck)Varies; meat birds only. no reproduction of meat crosses
EggsNoneYes (layers only)
ProcessingEasier, less messyMore labor-intensive
BreedingYear-round, very prolificSeasonal, less frequent. Meat crosses do not breed true.

Why Rabbits Might Beat Chickens on a Small Homestead Read More »

Homesteading

The Dexter: The SmallHolder’s Cow

Great for Small Acreage

Dexters have long been promoted the same way time and time again, “Docile and Hardy little cattle, dubbed the smallholder’s cow because of their ability to exist on about half the acreage of other cattle.” This is the niche market of a Dexter. They are well suited to beginners because they can endure a bit of accidental neglect from new owners and be a great fit for people who have small acreage. Today when large acreage is becoming increasingly expensive in many areas, but people are feeling a strong draw to get back to the country, the small acreage Dexter cow is the most perfect sell point. This is a Hallmark of the breed and one that should be promoted.

Quality and Quantity of their Milk and Beef

Dexter cattle are also a good fit for people who need a smaller amount of both meat and milk, but yet they are still “renowned for the quality and quantity of their milk, second only in butterfat content to the famous jersey, and for small lean beef joints of excellent flavor”. There are other breeds than Jersey that outperform Dexters in cream content but usually they are not breeds that produce a good quantity of milk. The Highland for instance produces about 10% butterfat, but for its larger size produces quite a bit less by volume for its size. This is why the Dexter is an all-around great little cow.

Great for Small and Big families alike

The current average amount of people in a US family today is 3.15, so in a small 3-person household butchering a Dexter steer goes a very long way. As Dexter beef producers we will have a much easier time selling whole or halves to people. This avoids having to get a USDA certified meat facility which in some areas could save you more money on butchering costs. Many people are more accustomed to the idea of buying meat in a smaller quantity when they need or want it. With smaller sides you can market to people to be able to only fill a portion of their chest freezer and have space left over for other things. If you have a larger family that enjoys eating lots of beef and drinking more milk, no problem, enjoy the benefit of growing out a larger herd with more Dexters!

This article was written 09 July 1992, and you will see the addition of dun is mentioned to the original color of black and red. Dun was added to the allowable Dexter colors and today many people never knew that black and red are the only 2 original colors.

Written By Danielle of Bryn Mawr

The Dexter: The SmallHolder’s Cow Read More »

Historical

How Can my Ranch or Homestead Pay For Itself

The best advice I can give to those who are starting out….GO SLOW! You can still go slow and work toward your homestead, farm or ranch paying for itself. This podcast from Homesteaders of America gives some good solid advice…including paying yourself and your family for its efforts. These principles can be applied to any of your produced products.

[data-source-id=”source-e6116c2c-5efd-4b14-b4a0-a1020c40530c”] .ose-embedpress-responsive{ width: 600px!important; height: 600px!important; max-height: 600px!important; } [data-source-id=”source-e6116c2c-5efd-4b14-b4a0-a1020c40530c”] iframe{ width: 600px!important; height: 600px!important; max-height: 600px!important; } [data-source-id=”source-e6116c2c-5efd-4b14-b4a0-a1020c40530c”] .embedpress-yt-subscribe iframe{ height: 100%!important; } [data-source-id=”source-e6116c2c-5efd-4b14-b4a0-a1020c40530c”] .ose-youtube > iframe{ height: 600px!important; width: 600px!important; } [data-source-id=”source-e6116c2c-5efd-4b14-b4a0-a1020c40530c”] .ose-youtube{ height: 600px!important; width: 600px!important; } [data-source-id=”source-e6116c2c-5efd-4b14-b4a0-a1020c40530c”] .ose-giphy img{ height: 600px!important; width: 600px!important; } [data-source-id=”source-e6116c2c-5efd-4b14-b4a0-a1020c40530c”] .ose-google-docs img{ height: 600px!important; width: 600px!important; } [data-source-id=”source-e6116c2c-5efd-4b14-b4a0-a1020c40530c”] .ose-embedpress-responsive.ose-google-photos{ height: 100% !important; max-height: 100% !important; } [data-source-id=”source-e6116c2c-5efd-4b14-b4a0-a1020c40530c”] .embera-embed-responsive-provider-gettyimages, [data-source-id=”source-e6116c2c-5efd-4b14-b4a0-a1020c40530c”] .embera-embed-responsive-provider-gettyimages iframe, [data-source-id=”source-e6116c2c-5efd-4b14-b4a0-a1020c40530c”] .getty{ width: 600px!important; height: 600px!important; max-height: 600px!important; max-width: 100%!important; }

How Can my Ranch or Homestead Pay For Itself Read More »

Homesteading PipeDreams

Dexter Arrival: A Homesteading Dream Realized, Hayburner Acres

Our journey to homesteading began about five years ago. My husband and I were searching for self-sustainability, a quieter life, and a deeper connection to the land. Raised in the suburbs with every modern convenience, we only knew which grocery store had the freshest beef. That was the extent of our food sourcing knowledge.

Once we acquired our acreage, we started, as many do, with chickens. At the time, I hadn’t even considered milking animals myself, so I went looking for farm-fresh milk. I found a local source, and with it, a whole new world. We began picking up a couple of gallons each week, but it didn’t take long before we wanted to produce our own.

That’s how we ended up with Nubian goats.

I was intimidated by the idea of milking and caring for them, but goats felt less daunting than a full-sized milk cow. Still, I had always loved and admired the Dexters at pickup. Just being around them brought a peace I couldn’t explain. They were a dream, something for “someday.”

Fast forward a few years, and someday finally came.

About a month ago, we brought home our first Dexters: a heifer and a steer. And how’s it going? In a word? beautifully.

The first thing I noticed was their peaceful nature. Just being near them calms my nervous system in a way I can’t begin to describe. I’m absolutely head over heels in love. I’ve started thinning down my goat herd to make room for more Dexters in the future.

I’m learning to be a pasture and grass farmer (also moving fencing, adding pastures) all to better serve my Dexters. I’m excited to contribute to the breed by selecting strong lines and continuing the work that’s already been poured into my girl, Fiona.

Am I still intimidated by the idea of milking them? Absolutely.
Will I do it anyway and love it once the time comes? Without a doubt.

There’s still so much to learn—about pasture management, breeding, and eventually milking—but I’m ready. With the right mentors and a heart full of determination, we’ll thrive. Fiona and Chuck are home now, and so are we. This is just the beginning of a lifelong journey with Dexters, and I couldn’t be more excited to walk it one peaceful step at a time.

I’m looking forward to many years alongside this incredible breed.

Dexter Arrival: A Homesteading Dream Realized, Hayburner Acres Read More »

Homesteading

Dexter Cattle: Mini Cows Are Perfect For Preppers and Small Homesteads

There is no better way to ensure the survival of the family in case of a SHTF scenario and to create a sustainable homestead than to grow and raise your own groceries. There are a plethora of traditional farm animals which can help keep the family well-fed year around or during a long-term disaster, but when both space and budget are limited, one stands out above many of the rest – Dexter cattle.

READ MORE

Dexter Cattle: Mini Cows Are Perfect For Preppers and Small Homesteads Read More »

Homesteading

Miniature Cattle: For Real, For Pets, For Production

Near Seattle, Washington, Richard and Arlene Gradwohl were seeing the effects of urban sprawl, as housing developments started
to sprout up around their property. Arlene, having grown up on a farm, wished to maintain a rural lifestyle. Richard, a community college business professor, investigated the possibilities with an entrepreneurial eye. He soon saw the potential smaller cattle could have on their smaller property. Always stressing new product development, Richard soon was educating himself on miniature and small cattle breeds, acquiring breeding stock, and utilizing linebreeding techniques. Beginning with Dexter cattle and keeping some of their smallest Herefords, his new product focus became developing new breeds of miniature cattle. To date he has developed 18—yes 18—new breeds of miniature cattle and is enjoying his working retirement as a Professor Emeritus (Gradwohl interview 2007).

READ MORE

Miniature Cattle: For Real, For Pets, For Production Read More »

Homesteading

Keeping Cows in the Winter Part #2 – By Shelley HatField Of Whippoorwill Pines Farm

Keeping Cows in the Winter Part #2
 
I’m going to write about the second part of this series of keeping cows in the winter.  The first one was about making sure they have adequate water.  I’m going to talk about shelter in the winter.  This will once again depend on where you are in this great United States.  We have such diverse weather conditions.

I think that this could end up being a great debate, but I’m not wanting that.  I know some people think that the cows need a 5 Star barn and others think a few trees are plenty.  I’m just going to do a basic all around article on what the cows should have.  Then you can go from there and do what you feel is necessary. 

Starting with the milder states, you still should have at least a covering for them to get out of the sun in the summer and wind in the winter.  If you live in the colder states you will at least need a wind block.  It is also good for you to have at least a 3 sided building.  It doesn’t have to be fancy.  It just needs to be something that they can get in out of the wind and rain/snow.  Now if you have had cows very long you will know that they will just stand outside in the weather.  They have grown coats for the weather that you have in your area.  
 
You will notice cows standing out in the winter weather and have their backs covered in snow.  That is a good sign.  That means that they are well insulated!!  Dexters in particular were created to weather more difficult situations. 

Each person knows what they want for their herd.  This is just some basic advice on what to have.  Happy Winter!!!

Keeping Cows in the Winter Part #2 – By Shelley HatField Of Whippoorwill Pines Farm Read More »

Beef
MENU