What’s a homestead without chickens? After a lot of research (and a lot of begging!) we decided to add to the homestead. After all, who doesn’t love “free” eggs and the entertainment of watching the hens? After a few trips to the hardware store and Tractor Supply and a few searches on Craigslist and Pinterest, we began building our coop. With lots of help over a few weekends, we ended up with a beautiful home for our new additions.

Now that they had a place to live, it was time to start adding our new feathered friends. After more research and more trips to Tractor Supply, we found a wonderful local breeder online. She talked to me on the phone for what seemed like forever and assured me we were ready. She helped us pick a breed and we headed to her farm. We decided on 6 straight run Wyandotte chicks. We ended up with three hens and three roosters. Two roosters went to a new home when they were grown. For the first few weeks they lived in our guest room in their very own tote. I spent many hours sitting on the floor and holding each one. It was quite comical when they learned to fly!

Once they were big enough they relocated to their new home outside. I don’t think I slept the first week they were out there! Are they scared? Are they cold? Can the stray cats get in? Do we have snakes? I think they thought I was crazy wandering out there with my flashlight to check on them all the time!

When they got a little bigger Allen added a run for them to explore and stretch their legs.

Then the day came that we got our first egg!

We have since added a roof to the run and a chicken tractor with a pair of Japanese Bantams that Allen’s Grandpa gave us.

I can’t wait for the next chicken adventure: our own chicks!

One of the first things we did to start our homestead was to start with the three R’s: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. We did not have trash service so the less waste we had, the less we had to go to the local landfill. I started paying attention to what kind of packaging products came in and started shopping at the local farmer’s market instead of buying pre-packaged vegetables. The next step was learning about composting. I began doing lots of research and started taking composting classes at the local college. There are so many different ways to compost! We decided to create a small wooden bin for all of our kitchen and yard waste. The compost would be used later for our first garden.

Step One: Building the Frame

Step Two: Installing the Sliding Wall for Easy Turning and a Lid to Keep Critters Out

Step Three: Finding the Perfect Location

Step Four: Making Sure it is Critter Proof

We have been composting for almost a year now and it has become second nature. I keep a bowl in the house for all of our scraps to be added to the bin. We also make sure to open the lid when it rains to keep the moisture at the correct level. Since the weather has been warm, it has not been taking long for everything to compost down and make great soil for the garden. It’s almost time to build a bigger bin!

Hello and welcome to our little piece of the internet! From here my goal is to document our first adventure into homesteading. I am a Florida girl at heart, but I have grown to love our little town in South Carolina. My husband and I bought our first home a year and a half ago. He had no idea what he was in for! We settled into our quaint neighborhood and I decided I wanted to try living what my Grandma calls “Old Florida” style. I have always enjoyed learning about the ways things were done in the old days. I love my cast iron skillet, my quilts, and the idea of living on a farm and being self-sufficient. Our first adventure was building the compost bin, followed by a small flock of backyard chickens and a garden. We are anxiously awaiting our first eggs and veggies. Until then, we will continue to shop local and support our area farmers. I can’t wait for us to be able to share with others too! I know our little homestead will continue to grow, and I cannot wait to learn to learn new things and share them with the world.