🐓Are You Missing This Animal First Aid Essential? + 8 Life Truths🌾

Question of the day: You can magically add ONE feature to your homestead overnight. What is it?

Author

Cedie OmaĂąa
July 01, 2025

NOTICE: Formerly known as The Steady Homestead, we’ve rebranded to The Homestead Movement! Same great content, just a fresh new name. 😊 

QUOTE FROM THE HOMESTEAD

"When in doubt, plant something."

Eliot Coleman

HOMESTEAD TIP OF THE DAY

Fireworks and loud celebrations can terrify livestock and poultry. If you're near a neighborhood that celebrates the 4th, make sure animals are secured well before dark. Close up coops early, turn on calming background noise (like a fan or radio), and dim lights to help them stay calm. For pets, provide a safe hiding space and avoid taking them outside during peak fireworks.

IN TODAY'S EDITION

  1. Homestead Tip 🌱

  2. Poll Results From Last Sunday 📊

  3. All Things Homestead: Homestead First Aid: Must-Have Supplies for Your Animals 🐓

  4. Personal Development: 8 Truths to Live By 🌾

  5. Today's Top Picks 🛍️

  6. Let’s Keep It Reel 🤣

BROUGHT TO YOU BY

🧺 Feeling Like You’ll Never Be Ready to Start a Backyard Homestead?

I used to scroll past garden tutorials and chicken coop plans thinking, “Yeah, that’s cute… but where would I even start?”

Truth is, I was overwhelmed. I didn’t grow up doing this. I didn’t have acres of land. Just a tiny backyard, a big dream, and no clue what came first… the seeds or the soil.

If that’s you? This book changed everything for me.

What You’ll Learn:

  • How to grow your own food (even in small spaces)

  • Raise chickens the right way

  • Step-by-step backyard systems that don’t break the bank

No fluff. No guessing. Just real-life guidance that works (whether you’re on a homestead or in the ‘burbs).

POLL RESULTS FROM LAST SUNDAY

How did you first get into gardening or homesteading?

🟨🟨🟨🟨⬜️⬜️ Grew up with it

🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ Pandemic hobby

🟨🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ Started with houseplants

🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 Wanted food security

🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ Other? Share it!

via @beehiiv polls

Feel free to participate in fun polls in our next newsletters! 😉

Also, follow us on our social media accounts for daily homesteading inspiration and updates.

ALL THINGS HOMESTEAD

Homestead First Aid: Must-Have Supplies for Your Animals 🐓

If you’ve ever had a goat limp into the barn at dusk or found a hen bleeding from a predator scare, you know the feeling. That rush of panic, followed by the scramble for whatever bandages or ointment you can find. On the homestead, animals are family and when they hurt, we hurt.

That’s why building a livestock and pet first aid kit before you need it is one of the smartest things homesteaders can do.

The Basics

These are the items you’ll reach for most often. So keep them close, dry, and labeled clearly.

  • Sterile gauze pads and vet wrap

  • Scissors and tweezers

  • Digital thermometer

  • Gloves (non-latex)

  • Clean towels and rags

Cleaning & Disinfecting Supplies

Minor wounds turn serious if bacteria get in. Always clean before wrapping.

  • Hydrogen peroxide or Betadine

  • Saline solution

  • Antibiotic ointment (like Neosporin)

Medications & Treatments

These are the lifesavers in emergencies, but always check dosage and species guidelines before use.

  • Electrolytes

  • Activated charcoal

  • Veterinary wound spray or Blue-Kote

  • Pain relievers (only vet-approved)

Tools for Emergencies

These items help during injuries, birth, or times you have to restrain or transport an animal quickly.

  • Muzzle or halter (for larger animals)

  • Syringes and oral dosing syringes

  • Flashlight or headlamp

  • Hoof trimmers and file

Extras You’ll Be Glad You Have

These may not be daily use items, but when you need them… you really need them.

  • A notebook or binder: Helpful for patterns, vet calls, and keeping track of repeat issues.

  • Emergency vet contact info

  • Plastic cones or collars (for pets)

  • Thermal blanket

We don’t all have time to run to the vet, and sometimes we’re hours away from help. That’s why being prepared before the emergency matters. When your animals are depending on you, guessing isn’t an option.

But here’s the good news: You don’t have to buy everything at once. Build your kit slowly. Add things after a vet visit. Store your supplies in a waterproof bin or tackle box. Check it every season. Toss expired meds. Restock bandages and gauze.

If you want to go one step further, make a small travel kit to keep in your truck or barn. Emergencies don’t always wait until you’re near the house.

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

8 Truths to Live By 🌾

Homesteading and homemaking take heart and a lot of grit. But let’s be real: it’s easy to lose yourself in the middle of it all. These 8 simple truths are reminders for women like you, doing quiet but powerful work every day. If you’ve ever felt stretched thin or stuck in your own head, this is your gentle reset.

1. Keep a Few Things to Yourself

Even when you love someone and trust them, you don’t have to share every thought.

People don’t always understand your plans, and that’s okay. Some ideas need space to grow before they’re exposed to outside opinions.

2. Criticism Will Come, Expect It

The moment you try something meaningful, like starting a garden, homeschooling, or running a side business, people will talk.

That doesn’t mean you’re wrong. It just means you’re moving. Strong women learn to hear feedback without letting it stop them.

3. Mental Health Comes First, Always

Burnout is real. And it creeps in slowly, especially when you’re doing all the things for all the people.

If your body is exhausted and your heart is overwhelmed, stop. The chores can wait. You can’t run a home or a homestead if you’re running on empty.

4. You’re Capable, Even When You’re Alone

It’s great to have support… but don’t wait for it. Some days, no one else will see the work or offer to help.

That doesn’t mean you can’t do it. It just means you're learning how strong you really are. You’re not selfish for growing without applause.

5. Not Everyone Will Like You and That’s Not Your Problem

People will judge how you raise animals, kids, or even how you decorate your front porch.

Let them. Their opinions don’t pay your bills or water your tomatoes. Keep doing what works for your home and your heart.

6. Things Will Go Wrong, Adapt Anyway

Chickens will get sick. Fences will break. Kids will spill the milk right after you clean the floor.

It’s frustrating, but it’s normal. Flexibility is one of your strongest tools. Women who adapt are the ones who stay rooted through storms.

7. Choose Joy, Even When It’s Hard

Joy isn’t a result. It’s a choice. Yes, you can cry and still be grateful. You can feel tired and still see the beauty in the day.

Don't wait for everything to be perfect to feel good. That day may never come, and you don’t need it to in order to feel peace.

8. Stop Fighting What You Can’t Fix

Weather, aging animals, and life’s curveballs will do their thing. You don’t have to like it, but fighting what’s out of your hands won’t fix it.

Learn to bless and release. Use your energy where it actually matters.

Life on the homestead is full of ups and downs. These reminders won’t fix everything, but they’ll help you handle it with more calm and confidence.

Keep them close. You’re doing a lot… and you’re doing better than you think.

THE STEADY HOME’S GIGGLE CHAMBER

Why did the tomatoes start gossiping in July?

Because they were finally in the hot seat.

TODAY'S TOP PICKS

Homestead Mastery Challenge

A year of hands-on challenges to transform your life!

Livestock and Farming Gear

Essential livestock supplies and farming gear to keep your homestead running smoothly and efficiently.

Medicinal Garden Kit

Your go-to resource for natural remedies and emergency herbal medicine essentials.

The Forager’s Guide To Wild Foods

Your quick guide to identifying and using wild plants safely and effectively.

LET’S KEEP IT REEL!

I've put together some fantastic farm videos that are sure to make you laugh. Take a look and enjoy the fun!

  1. Always got my cow crew’s back… no questions asked. 🐄😂

@spurleyfarms

Just joking…but not really🤠 #cattle #sustainability #homestead #beef #farmtok #capcut #fyp #viralvideo

  1. I feel like this might be my fear too 😂

@_sarahfromthesouth_

Terrified. Shaking in my boots. 🤭Anyone else? What are you scared of? #jokes #fyp #funnyvideos #relatable #homestead #chickens #goats #co... See more

  1. Same thing happens to me too! 😂

@littleforestfarm.nb

well that escalated quickly... . . . . . . #Meme #gardenhumor #gardening #gardensoftiktok #gardenersoftiktok #tradwife #housekeeping #home... See more

ENGAGE WITH US

Got some amazing homesteading products? Let's team up and spread joy in our community!

Also, care to share any genius ideas for The Steady Home newsletter? Just hit reply and let's get talking!