🐔 Ferment Your Chicken Feed + Find Your Genius Zone 🧠

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

IN TODAY'S EDITION

1. Homestead Tip 🌱

2. Poll Results From Last Sunday 📊

3. All Things Homestead: Guide to Fermenting Chicken Feed 🐔

4. Personal Development: Finding Your Zone of Genius on the Homestead 🌱

5. Today's Top Picks 🛍️

6. Let’s Keep It Reel 🤣

BROUGHT TO YOU BY

A Quick Tip for Your Homestead Savings

When I first started dreaming about our homestead setup… the garden, the pantry, the herbal cabinet, I kept bumping into one roadblock: money.

It wasn’t that I needed a huge budget… but even getting started felt financially heavy. Seeds, tools, jars, soil. It adds up fast.

So I started getting serious about saving, and one of the smartest moves I made was switching to SoFi Checking & Savings.

Here’s why I love it:

• No annoying account fees

• Up to 3.80% APY (way better than my old bank)

• Super easy to use (and manage from my phone)

But the best part?
When you open an account and deposit just $50, SoFi gives you $25 free.
And if you set up direct deposit? You can get up to $300 more.

That’s real money you can put toward your homestead goals!

POLL RESULTS FROM LAST SUNDAY

Which homegrown product would you LOVE to sell one day?

🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 Soaps, salves, or body care

🟨🟨🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️ Jams, jellies, or canned goods

🟨🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ Eggs, veggies, or CSA shares

🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ Handcrafted furniture or goods

🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ Others (Feel free to specify!)

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

Guide to Fermenting Chicken Feed 🐔

Chicken feed is expensive, and wasting it feels like tossing money in the compost. If your hens are tossing their feed, ignoring it, or eating like they’re starving but still laying soft-shelled eggs, I got you. Many homesteaders run into the same problem: low-quality nutrition with a high price tag.

But there’s a better way… fermenting chicken feed. Here’s what to know and exactly how to do it.

Why Ferment Feed in the First Place?

• Better absorption: Chickens get more nutrients from the same feed.

• Improved egg quality: Expect stronger shells and richer yolks.

• Healthier guts: Good bacteria help chickens fight off disease.

• Less feed waste: Soaked feed is heavier and less likely to be scratched out.

• Cost savings: Chickens eat less because they stay full longer.

It’s one of those “Why didn’t I do this sooner?” homestead hacks.

What You’ll Need

• A clean bucket or glass jar (food-grade)

• Non-chlorinated water (well water or dechlorinated tap water)

• Your usual dry chicken feed (pellets, crumbles, or grains)

• Something to stir with

• A breathable cover (like a towel or loose lid)

Avoid metal containers since fermentation can react with them. Use plastic, glass, or ceramic instead.

Step-by-Step: How to Ferment Chicken Feed

1. Add Feed to Your Container
   Fill your bucket about one-third with dry feed. Leave room for water and bubbling.

2. Pour Water Over Feed
   Cover the feed with water until it’s at least an inch above the top. Stir to mix it up.

3. Cover Loosely and Let It Sit
   Put a breathable cover on the container. Leave it at room temperature for 2–3 days. Stir once or twice a day.

4. Watch for Bubbles
   You’ll know it’s fermenting when you see small bubbles and smell a sour, yogurt-like scent. That’s the good bacteria at work.

5. Drain and Feed
   After 2–3 days, scoop out the amount your chickens will eat in one sitting. Drain the rest and save it for the next day.

6. Top Off with More Feed and Water
   Keep the process going by adding more dry feed and water after each scoop. Stir and cover again.

Tips to Make It Easier

• Only ferment what your chickens can finish in 30 minutes to avoid waste.

• Clean the bucket once a week to prevent mold buildup.

• If it smells rotten, slimy, or like alcohol, toss it and start over.

• Use warm water in winter to help the fermentation stay active.

• Start slow. Give fermented feed once a day, then watch how your flock responds.

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

Finding Your Zone of Genius on the Homestead 🌱

Homesteaders and homemakers wear more hats than most folks realize. From canning to bookkeeping to managing animals, it’s easy to feel stretched thin and wonder, “Am I doing the right things… or just all the things?”

That’s where your Zone of Genius comes in. The goal should not be about being the best at everything. It’s finding that sweet spot where your energy, passion, and skill meet… and letting more of your time land there.

1. Think About What You Lose Time Doing

Look for the tasks that pull you in so deeply you forget the time. Maybe it’s organizing your pantry, making sourdough, or teaching your kids life skills.

If you feel energized after doing it (not just proud you got through it), that’s a clue. Even the busiest women know the difference between “I’m tired” and “That felt right.”

2. Notice What Comes Naturally

You don’t need to be a master right away. Just pay attention to ease. Maybe you sew without stress, troubleshoot garden problems quickly, or teach others with patience.

What feels effortless for you may feel overwhelming to someone else. So, lean into those areas instead of pushing against the ones that constantly feel like a fight.

3. Listen to the Praise You Hear Often

Think back to what others compliment you on without being asked. Do they admire your calm in chaos, your practical advice, or your beautiful handmade goods?

What others admire in you may shine light on strengths you’ve been overlooking. Let their feedback help you zoom in on what makes your work special.

4. Reflect on What Makes You Proud

Not every task will light you up, but some make you feel deeply fulfilled. Which projects leave you thinking, “That was worth the effort”?

Maybe it’s a meal cooked entirely from your garden, or the homeschool lesson your kids loved. Those wins help point to the kind of work that connects with your purpose.

5. Pinpoint What You’re Passionate About

Pay attention to the work that matters deeply to you, even if no one sees it. What do you care about so much that it motivates you from the inside out?

If you’d do it without applause or payment, that’s a strong sign it belongs in your genius zone. The best part? Passion doesn’t mean loud, it just means steady.

6. Journal to Discover What Truly Resonates

Try setting aside five minutes a week to write about what’s working and what’s not. This helps uncover what parts of your life are aligned with your strengths.

You don’t need fancy prompts, just reflect honestly on what feels good and what feels heavy. Even a short list can start to show you patterns.

7. Get Outside Perspective When You’re Stuck

Sometimes we’re too close to our own lives to see clearly. A trusted friend, mentor, or coach can help ask questions you might not think to ask.

If you’re unsure about your direction, a second set of eyes can make all the difference.
So, choose someone who knows your heart, not just your habits.

8. Look for Challenge That Energizes

Hard doesn’t always mean wrong. In fact, the right kind of hard keeps you engaged. When a task stretches you and excites you at the same time, pay attention.

For example, learning how to build raised beds might be tough, but it could also feel worth every minute. That’s a good sign it’s part of your genius zone.

9. Ask: What If Nothing Was in the Way?

Imagine a day without chores, limits, or guilt. What would you choose to spend your time doing? Even if it sounds small or “not practical,” don’t brush it off.

Your deepest desires aren’t selfish, in fact, they’re clues. Let them speak, even if you can only act on them a little at a time.

10. Review Your Life’s Patterns

Look at where you've been successful, joyful, and consistent. What do those seasons have in common?

Maybe it’s time spent teaching others, growing your own food, or creating beauty in your home. Those threads can help you weave a more meaningful path forward.

11. Balance Feedback with Your Own Knowing

It’s okay to care about what others think… but it can’t be your only compass. Ask yourself, “Does what I’m doing feel right, even if others don’t understand it?”

Your genius zone often looks different than others expect. Give yourself permission to trust your gut and walk your own road.

Bottom Line: You Don’t Have to Be Good at Everything 🌼

Running a home or homestead can feel like a hundred jobs in one. But the truth is, you don’t need to do it all perfectly.

You just need to figure out what’s yours to carry, and what you can release or delegate.
When you know your zone of genius, every other task becomes a little clearer and lighter.

THE STEADY HOME’S GIGGLE CHAMBER

Why did the homesteader install a hammock in the chicken coop? For a little eggscape from reality.

TODAY'S TOP PICKS

Tired of Wasting Food You Meant to Use?

We’ve all been there… tossing wilted greens and moldy berries, feeling guilty every time.

I used to avoid food preservation because it felt complicated. But once I learned the basics, I stopped wasting food and money, and started filling shelves I’m proud of.

This June, join us inside the Homestead Challenge to learn easy, beginner-friendly food preservation:
✅ Jams, pickles, ferments & more
✅ Safe storage that actually works
✅ Step-by-step support

Also, January–May challenges are still available anytime, so you're never behind.

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. Nothing like this kind of therapy to turn your day around!

@the_crafted_cottage

But I actually do have therapy so if my friends see this… it’s a joke. #flowergarden #planttok #therapytiktok #backyard #gardening #athome... See more

2. This is right on point! 😂

@builtbylesbians

The rainy season is great but the weeds are going wild! #gardening #diy #lgbtq #wlw #wlwcouple #lesbiansoftiktok #gardeningtips #homestead... See more

3. Yep, classic oregano planting struggle right here! 😅

@theunaesthetichomestead

Jokes on me but listen, if you need some oregano oil lmk #fyp #homestead #garden #organicgardening #oregano #oops

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!