🦆🐔 Ducks vs. Chickens + A Mental Reset That Works 🧠

IN TODAY'S EDITION

1. Homestead Tip 🌱

2. Poll Results From Last Tuesday 📊

3. All Things Homestead: Ducks 🦆 vs. Chickens 🐔 — Which One is Right for Your Homestead?

4. Personal Development: Hit the Reset Button — Self-Reflection Questions to Transform Your Life 💭

5. Today's Top Picks 🛍️

6. Let’s Keep It Reel 🤣

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POLL RESULTS FROM LAST TUESDAY

Are you getting chicks this year?

🟨🟨🟨🟨🟨⬜️ Yes, I order new chicks every year

🟨🟨🟨🟨⬜️⬜️ Maybe, still deciding

🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 No, but I want to in the future

🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ No, I have enough hens

via @beehiiv polls

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

Also, follow us on our Facebook page and Pinterest for daily homesteading inspiration and updates.

ALL THINGS HOMESTEAD

Ducks 🦆 vs. Chickens 🐔: Which One is Right for Your Homestead?

If you’ve ever debated whether to raise ducks or chickens, welcome to the club. Both have their pros and cons, and choosing between them depends on your homestead’s needs.

Before you commit, let’s break down the key differences so you can decide which fits best with your setup.

1. Eggs: Which Lays the Best?

• Chickens: These birds lay eggs like clockwork, averaging 4–6 per week, depending on the breed. You’ll get a steady supply of medium to large eggs, typically in shades of brown, white, or blue-green (if you have Easter Eggers).

• Ducks: Many people don’t realize that ducks can be egg-laying powerhouses. Breeds like Khaki Campbells and Indian Runners can out-lay most chickens, producing 5–7 eggs per week. Plus, duck eggs are larger, richer, and great for baking.

Winner: If you want more eggs and better baking, ducks win. If you prefer traditional eggs, chickens are the safer bet.

2. Mess Factor: Who's the Dirtier Roommate?

• Chickens: These birds scratch, dig, and make dust baths wherever they please. If you like a tidy garden, they’ll challenge your patience. However, their droppings are easy to clean and great for compost.

• Ducks: If there’s water, ducks will find it—and turn it into a mud hole. They splash, make puddles, and can turn a nice patch of grass into a swamp in no time. But they don’t scratch up garden beds like chickens do.

Winner: If you hate mud, go with chickens. If you don’t mind wet messes, ducks might be fine.

3. Personality: Who’s More Fun to Watch?

• Chickens: These birds have big personalities. Some breeds are friendly, some are bossy, and others are downright skittish. They can recognize their owners and even come running when treats are involved.

• Ducks: These birds are more relaxed and goofy. They waddle around, quack at everything, and are less prone to pecking order drama. They aren’t as cuddly as chickens, but they’re entertaining to watch.

Winner: If you want personality variety, chickens win. If you prefer calm, easygoing birds, ducks are better.

4. Hardiness: Which is Easier to Care For?

• Chickens: Most chickens handle cold weather well, but extreme heat can be tough on them. Some breeds (like Silkies) are extra delicate, while others (like Rhode Island Reds) are practically indestructible.

• Ducks: These birds are tanks. They handle cold, rain, and heat better than chickens. Their thick feathers keep them warm, and they don’t get frostbite on their feet like chickens do.

Winner: If you want birds that can tough it out in any weather, ducks take this round.

5. Pest Control: Who’s the Better Bug Hunter?

• Chickens: These birds will eat just about anything that moves—bugs, worms, and even small snakes. But they also dig up plants, which can be a problem if you have a garden.

• Ducks: Ducks are excellent at eating slugs, mosquitoes, and even Japanese beetles. They don’t scratch up the yard like chickens, making them great for pest control without the garden destruction.

Winner: If your garden is overrun with slugs, ducks win. If you want birds that clear out everything (good and bad), chickens do a great job.

6. Space Needs: Who Needs More Room?

• Chickens: They need a safe coop to roost at night and enough space to scratch during the day. If free-ranging isn’t an option, a decent-sized run is necessary.

• Ducks: These birds don’t roost, so they need a different type of shelter—lower to the ground with bedding. They also require a water source, like a kiddie pool, to keep clean.

Winner: If you have limited space, chickens are easier. Ducks need more room and water to thrive.

7. Noise Level: Who’s the Quiet Neighbor?

• Chickens: Hens are generally quiet, except when they lay an egg and want the whole world to know. Roosters? That’s another story. They’ll crow at sunrise… and all day long.

• Ducks: Female ducks quack—a lot. Male ducks (drakes) are quieter, making them a better option if noise is a concern.

Winner: If you’re avoiding noise complaints, stick to chickens without a rooster or get male ducks.

8. Meat Production: Who’s the Better Choice?

• Chickens: Meat breeds grow fast, with broilers ready for processing in 8–12 weeks. Heritage breeds take longer but offer better flavor.

• Ducks: Duck meat is richer and has a higher fat content. Breeds like Pekins grow fast, reaching butchering size in about 7 weeks.

Winner: If you want quick, lean meat, chickens are better. If you prefer rich, flavorful meat, ducks are worth considering.

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

Hit the Reset Button: Self-Reflection Questions to Transform Your Life 💭

Life on a homestead is a whirlwind of chores, responsibilities, and never-ending to-do lists. It’s easy to get caught up in the daily grind without stopping to ask: Am I happy? Is this the life I want? What needs to change?

So, let’s take a breath, grab a notebook, and jump into some powerful questions that can help reset and realign life.

1. Am I Living a Life That Feels Right for Me?

For homesteaders, this might mean questioning whether the workload is sustainable or if there’s too much focus on productivity over enjoyment. Maybe raising goats sounded fun at first, but now it feels like more work than it’s worth. Or perhaps there’s a dream (like selling homemade goods at the farmers’ market) that keeps getting pushed aside.

Ask Yourselves:

• If I could design my perfect day, what would it look like?

• What excites me about my life right now?

• What feels like a burden that I secretly wish I could let go of?

2. What Drains My Energy the Most?

Some things fill the day but leave no sense of satisfaction. It might be too many commitments, people who take more than they give, or even something as simple as cluttered spaces that make it hard to focus.

For homesteaders, this could mean rethinking daily routines. Are there too many projects at once? Is there a system in place to make chores easier? Even small tweaks can create more ease.

Ask Yourselves:

• What part of my day feels the most exhausting?

• Are there any obligations I’m keeping out of guilt rather than joy?

• What can I simplify or delegate?

3. When Was the Last Time I Did Something Just for Myself?

Homesteaders are natural caretakers—of animals, land, and family. But how often do they take time for themselves? If the answer is “I can’t remember,” that’s a sign that self-care needs to become a priority.

Ask Yourselves:

• What is one small thing I can do for myself today?

• When was the last time I did something purely for fun?

• If I had an extra hour in my day, how would I want to spend it?

4. What Am I Holding Onto That I Need to Let Go Of?

Sometimes, people hold onto things that no longer serve them: expectations, habits, even physical clutter. Maybe it’s a project that started with excitement but now just feels like a weight. Or an old belief that says success has to look a certain way.

Letting go creates space for something new. If a homestead project isn’t working out, it’s okay to shift gears. If an old goal no longer fits, it’s okay to make a new one.

Ask Yourselves:

• What feels heavy in my life right now?

• Am I holding onto something just because I don’t want to “quit”?

• What would happen if I gave myself permission to move on?

5. How Well Am I Taking Care of My Body and Mind?

Homesteading is physically demanding. It’s easy to push through exhaustion, skip meals, or ignore aches and pains because “there’s too much to do.” But neglecting health leads to burnout.

Small adjustments, like drinking more water, stretching in the morning, or scheduling actual rest time, can make a huge difference. The homestead runs best when its caretakers are healthy.

Ask Yourselves:

• How do I feel at the end of the day—energized or drained?

• Am I eating well and getting enough rest?

• What is one small change I can make to take better care of myself?

6. What Am I Most Grateful For?

Gratitude shifts focus from what’s lacking to what’s already good. Maybe the garden didn’t do well this year, but the homemade bread turned out amazing. Maybe the workload is heavy, but watching the sunset over the fields makes it all worth it.

Ask Yourselves:

• What made me smile today?

• What is something small but wonderful about my life right now?

• Who in my life do I appreciate the most, and have I told them?

THE STEADY HOME’S GIGGLE CHAMBER

What’s a gardener’s favorite February candy?

Heart-i-chokes!

TODAY'S TOP PICKS

👉 Feel free to check out more recommendations here! 👈

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. Haha, time to add this high-tech scarecrow to my cart! 🤣

@ashton.homestead

Genius 😂 📸 creator: ourlittlebluefarmhousetn Follow @bestofhomesteading for tips, inspiration, and stories from the homesteading community... See more

2. Need some hilarious name ideas for your chickens? This video might just spark some inspiration (though fair warning, things get a little wild!) 🐔😂

@wholeyhannah

I honestly prefer these chicken names to anything I would have picked. More entertaining if you ask me 🤣 #chickens #kidsarefunny #chicken... See more

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