Ditch The Store

🎧 Episode 114 – The Sourdough Comeback: Why It’s Worth Your Time In this episode, I’m kicking off a brand new sourdough series — croaky voice and all! After a rough run with the flu (and a lovely little bonus round of pleurisy), I’m easing back into the swing of things by diving deep into why sourdough is a perfect fit for the homesteader’s kitchen. You’ll hear about: The real history of sourdoug...

In this episode, we’re diving into practical and proven ways to preserve eggs at home — and extend their shelf life for months! Learn the traditional method of water glassing, how to freeze eggs properly, and explore other long-term storage options like mineral oil coating, dehydrating, and pickling. I’ll also be answering the most frequently asked questions, including how to safely store eggs, wh...

Ditch the Store Podcast If you thought chickens were just clucky egg machines, think again! In this episode, CJ dives into the weird and wonderful world of unusual chicken breeds — from fluffy Silkies and curly Frizzles to the jet-black Ayam Cemani and her own beardy Faverolle roosters. You'll learn: Which quirky breeds might suit your homestead What to expect when raising them Why these “just...

Got questions about chicken coops? You’re not alone — and you’re in the right place. In this episode, CJ tackles the most common questions she hears from new and seasoned chook-keepers alike. Whether you’ve already got hens or are still in planning mode, you’ll get clear, no-fluff answers to the coop conundrums we all face. We cover: How much space your chickens actually need Whether you can keep...

In this solo episode, CJ dives into why chickens are the ultimate starter livestock for anyone wanting to break up with the supermarket and take back control of their food supply. From skyrocketing egg prices to the simplicity of daily care, chickens are a no-brainer for beginners—whether you're on acreage or in suburbia. CJ shares her own story of hatching their first chicks (spoiler: she totally...

🎙️ Welcome to the very first episode of Ditch the Store (formerly Not the Farmer’s Wife )! We’re rebranding, not because the old name wasn’t great (shout-out to my son who named it!), but because we’ve outgrown it. This podcast has become more than just me—my handy helper is here, the farm has grown, and so has our mission. In this episode, we unpack:🛒 Why we’re not anti-supermarket—but definitel...

🐓 Egg Troubles Solved – Why Your Hens Aren’t Laying and How to Fix It In this episode, CJ breaks down the most common egg-laying problems faced by chicken keepers. Whether your hens are laying soft-shelled eggs, no eggs, or weird wrinkly "paper bag" eggs, you'll learn why it’s happening and how to fix it. 🔍 What's Covered: Why your chickens aren’t laying and how to encourage th...

Episode 107: All Weather Hens In this episode of Not the Farmer’s Wife , CJ Steedman talks about how to care for your chickens in all weather conditions — from freezing winters to scorching summers. She explains how to prevent frostbite and frozen water in winter, how to spot and handle heat stress in summer, and whether supplemental lighting is worth using to boost egg production. CJ also shares...

In this episode of Not the Farmer’s Wife , CJ Steedman dives into the essentials of keeping backyard chickens healthy. She explains how to spot signs of illness in your hens (like pale combs, weight loss, and breathing problems), handle parasites like mites and worms, and decide when to treat or cull a sick bird. CJ also covers the pros and cons of natural vs. conventional treatments and shares pr...

Spotify Episode Description: Raising Chicks for Eggs 🐣 Hatchlings to Hens: Raising Chicks the Right Way Thinking about raising your own egg-laying hens from chicks ? In this episode, we’re taking a deep dive into how to raise baby chicks into productive layers , covering everything from buying day-old chicks vs. hatching your own, brooder setup essentials, transitioning to the coop, and when to e...

Episode 104: Better Feed = Better Eggs! 🐔 Want healthier hens and better eggs? It all comes down to nutrition! In this episode, I break down the do’s and don’ts of feeding your backyard chickens, why scratch mix is just chicken candy , and how to make sure your flock lays strong, high-quality eggs. ✔️ The right protein levels (16-18%) for egg production – and why more isn’t always better. ✔️ Calc...

Episode 103 - Chicken Coop Must-Haves With rising egg prices, backyard chickens are becoming popular. But before bringing hens home, you need a secure, well-designed coop. This episode covers essential coop features, common mistakes, and practical setup tips. Space – 3-4 sq ft per bird inside, 8-10 sq ft outside. More space = happier hens. Predator-Proofing – Use hardware cloth, dig-proof fencing,...

Top Chicken Breeds Get Our New Book Now on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4aPPJPQ With egg shortages and rising prices, more families are considering backyard chickens as a reliable source of fresh eggs. However, choosing the right breed is crucial for a successful and enjoyable chicken-keeping experience. This guide covers the best beginner-friendly breeds and how to select the perfect fit based on egg...

Never Buy Eggs Again Tired of egg shortages and rising prices? What if you never had to rely on store-bought eggs again? In this episode, we dive into the realities of supermarket eggs —why they’re unreliable, less nutritious, and not as fresh as you think. Then, we explore the benefits of keeping your own backyard chickens , from cost savings and food security to healthier, tastier eggs straight...

A celebration of our 100th episode, we are so excited to have made it here. And be sure to listen to the end, as we have an exciting giveaway for 5 lucky listeners.

Episode 99 - Processing Chickens: What You Need to Know offers a comprehensive look at how to dispatch and process your own meat chickens safely, humanely, and efficiently. The host begins by sharing their background in raising chickens and explains the key benefits of home processing—such as ensuring food quality and ethical handling, saving money, and fostering a deeper connection to your meals....

Farming Myths: Debunked In this episode, we challenge some common misconceptions about farming and its impact on the environment. Get ready to see the truth behind the headlines and find out where the real culprits lie! Myth 1: Agriculture is the leading cause of climate change Farming often takes the blame, but according to the EPA , agriculture contributes just 10% of global greenhouse gas emiss...

Planning 2025 Episode 97: Defining Your Vision and Goals In this episode of Planning 2025 , we dive deep into the heart of homesteading: defining your vision and setting meaningful goals. Whether you're just starting out or refining your approach, we'll help you explore your motivations for homesteading — from self-sufficiency and healthier food to reducing your environmental footprint. We’ll also...

G'day everyone and welcome to another episode of Not The Farmer's Wife ! CJ here solo today—recording on December 29th after a busy Christmas week on the farm. I hope you all had a wonderful holiday with family and friends. Here, amidst milking goats and managing livestock, there’s never a dull moment, even with some worming interruptions this week. In today's episode, I dive into the year’s major...

Homesteader Gift Guide for Christmas High-quality gardening gloves https://amzn.to/3P7w6ZG Sturdy aprons (especially cheeky ones like yours!) https://amzn.to/3ZL1vpP Heavy-duty work boots or muck boots https://amzn.to/3P6ZEqa Wool socks or thermal clothing www.sukworkwear.com.au/ Water bottle https://amzn.to/3DCHjPi A good-quality pocketknife or multi-tool https://amzn.to/41Iy22p Hand tools like a...

Today’s episode dives into a topic that isn’t for the faint-hearted: dispatching and processing chickens. If this isn’t your cup of tea, no worries—feel free to skip this one. But for those curious about taking full control of their food supply, stick around for practical tips and advice on humane dispatching, plucking, and preparing your chickens for storage. Links Apron for dispatching - https:/...

Raising Chickens as a Gateway Chickens are an accessible starting point for homesteading, offering a path to self-sufficiency and sustainability. Personal stories highlight how raising chickens leads to broader self-sufficient practices. From Egg to Plate Pasture-raised chickens provide superior flavour, health benefits, and ethical advantages over store-bought meat. Beginners can achieve high-qua...

G'day everyone and welcome to another episode of Not The Farmer's Wife. , recording on my own today. The handy helper has got some chores that he's doing around the farm so I've, , sent him on his way to do those. , but also too we have set up a different background here. As you can see my desk has moved and, , I am now facing a different direction in our lounge room. We live in a tiny house so, f...

Why You Should Start Raising Your Own Meat Chickens Today" Discussion on the benefits of raising meat chickens, including health, cost savings, and self-sufficiency. "From Egg to Plate: Why Pasture-Raised Chickens Are Worth the Effort" The difference in quality between store-bought and home-raised chicken. "5 Surprising Health Benefits of Homegrown Chicken Meat" Focus on how pasture-raised chicken...

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has proposed significant changes to the U.S. food industry, including banning harmful additives, promoting sustainable farming, and overhauling nutrition guidelines. These changes align closely with homesteading values such as transparency, sustainability, and consumer health. While these reforms could support healthier food systems, their success will depend on public accept...