Ditch The Store – Détails, épisodes et analyse

🎧 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 sourdough (we’re talking ancient Egypt to gold rush miners)

• Why proper sourdough bread might not upset your gut like store-bought bread does

• How sourdough connects you to your food, your family, and your farm

• The magic of fermentation explained in a way even teenagers can get around

• And yes — how I somehow manage to keep my sourdough starter alive (his name’s Harry)

If you’re gluten sensitive, curious about ditching commercial yeast, or just want to make bread that costs 50 cents a loaf, this one’s for you.

Oh — and we’re on baby watch with Molly the cow. Don’t miss the update at the end!

🎁 Live near Canberra? I’m giving away starter from Harry (my 2-year-old mother). Send me a DM @MojoHomestead if you want a piece of the magic.

👇 Drop your “N” name ideas (or other letters) for Molly’s calf in the comments or message me!

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, what types of eggs you can preserve, and how to tell if an egg has gone bad.

Perfect for backyard chicken keepers, homesteaders, or anyone wanting to become a little more self-reliant in the kitchen.

Tune in and discover how easy it is to keep your eggs fresh all year round!

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.
✔️ Calcium is key – Weak shells? Try oyster shells or crushed eggshells.
✔️ Grit & digestion – Chickens don’t have teeth, so they need grit to break down food.
✔️ Water matters – No water = no eggs! Learn how hydration affects laying.
✔️ Seasonal feeding tips – Extra protein in winter, frozen treats in summer.
✔️ What NOT to feed – Avoid green potatoes, avocado skins, and caffeine.

🎉 Exciting News! My book Ditch the Store: From Brooder to Plate is out on Kindle, and my guide to keeping chickens for eggs is coming soon!

🔔 Follow for more homesteading & chicken-keeping tips!
📖 Grab the book on Kindle: https://amzn.to/4145Aak
💬 Have questions? Let’s chat on social media!

Chicken Coops

Size and Space: The coop should be spacious enough to comfortably accommodate the number of chickens you plan to keep. As a general guideline, provide at least 0.3m2 (4 square feet) per chicken inside the coop and 0.7 - 0.9 m2 (8-10 square feet) per chicken in the outdoor run area.

Security: Even in an urban environment, chickens still have predators. It is vital that coops are predator-proof to keep your chickens safe from predators like neighbourhood dogs, cats, birds of prey and rats. Use sturdy materials, secure locks, and wire mesh with small openings to prevent entry.

Ventilation: Proper airflow is crucial to prevent moisture buildup and ammonia fumes. Include vents or windows that can be opened and closed to regulate temperature and airflow within the coop. The best way to tell if you need more ventilation is to put your head into your coop, if the smell of ammonia is strong to you then it's also strong for them.

Nesting Boxes: Provide comfortable and private nesting boxes for your hens to lay their eggs. Each nesting box should be around 30x30 cm and lined with clean bedding material, such as straw or wood shavings.

Roosting Bars: Chickens prefer to roost off the ground. Install sturdy and appropriately sized roosting bars or branches inside the coop, allowing 15-20 cm of space per chicken. This is way more important than new chicken owners think.

Easy Cleaning: Design the coop with easy access for cleaning. Include a removable tray or floor that can be easily cleaned and replaced with fresh bedding. New bedding options are crushed metal and coffee grounds. Poop can easily be collected with a kitty litter scoop.

Natural Light: Incorporate windows or skylights to allow natural light into the coop. Natural light helps regulate the chickens' internal clock and can positively impact their overall health and egg production. 

Weather Protection: Consider weather conditions in your area and ensure the coop provides adequate protection from rain, wind, and extreme temperatures. Proper insulation and weatherproofing can help keep your chickens comfortable.

Feeding and Watering: Include feeding and watering stations that are easily accessible and protected from contamination. Consider hanging or elevating feeders and waterers to prevent spillage and keep them clean.

Noise Reduction: Chickens can be noisy, especially if you keep roosters, which most councils will not allow. But even noisy hens can cause issues. If you have close neighbours, consider soundproofing measures or opt for quieter chicken breeds that don't produce loud crowing.

Remember to check your local council zoning regulations for any specific requirements or restrictions regarding coop construction and placement in urban areas. 

I have spoken before about fighting your council if they refuse. Gather information about victory gardens and regenerative agriculture, and prepare yourself for the arguments they may present. 

Prioritize the well-being, safety, and comfort of your chickens when designing and building the coop.

Link to some nice chicken coops (no affiliation ... yet)

https://mjbinspired.au/

Nutrition for Backyard Chickens

Balanced feed: I know a lot of people who are homesteading like the idea of making their own chicken feed, and indeed I think you could provide supplemental feed for chickens from homegrown produce. However, that being said, commercially formulated, balanced chicken feed will always meet the nutritional needs of your flock. And as we will discuss later it's the vitamin and minerals that need to be included to ensure abundant egg-laying.

Protein requirements: Chickens need a sufficient amount of protein in their diet, particularly when they are growing or laying eggs. Baby chicks have special dietary requirements but from 6-7 weeks onwards they need 17-18% protein, and laying hens need around 16%. During a moult or wintertime, they can be fed a diet of up to 20% protein.

Calcium for eggshell production: Calcium is crucial for strong eggshell formation, so make sure to provide a calcium source such as crushed oyster shells or calcium supplements.

Grit for digestion: Chickens don't have teeth, so they need grit (small rocks or commercial grit products) to help them grind and digest their food properly. There are two types of poultry grit: oyster shell grit and flint grit. Oystershell grit is a type of calcium that helps make eggshells stronger. Insoluble grit, also known as flint grit, helps chickens with digestion. You can purchase this with both types of grit premixed.

Freshwater: Ensure a constant supply of clean, fresh water for your chickens. Water is essential for digestion, nutrient absorption, and overall health. Drip feeders with stay cleaner but you need to ensure they are always working. Appropriate treats: While treats can be given in moderation, avoid excessive feeding of sugary, fatty, or processed foods. Stick to healthy treats like fruits, vegetables, and mealworms. If you want to feed scratch mix try to limit it to once a week as we have noticed performance drop when they are having too much scratch.

Access to forage: Allow your chickens to forage in a secure outdoor area if possible. This allows them to supplement their diet with bugs, worms, grass, and other natural food sources. Seasonal considerations: Adjust your chickens' diet based on seasonal variations in activity levels, temperature, and egg production. Certainly, you could purchase pellets with a higher protein content during the winter months.

Limiting toxins: Avoid feeding your chickens harmful substances like caffeine, alcohol, chocolate, onions, garlic, and mouldy or spoiled food. There is always debate about what can or can’t be fed to chickens.

Nutritional deficiencies: Be aware of common nutritional deficiencies in chickens, such as vitamin deficiencies (e.g., vitamin D, E, or B12) or mineral deficiencies (e.g., selenium, zinc, or iodine). Consult with a veterinarian if you suspect any deficiencies or imbalances in your flock's diet.

Calcium Deficiency: Calcium is essential for the formation of strong eggshells. A lack of calcium in the diet can result in thin or weak eggshells, shell-less eggs, or an increased likelihood of egg breakage.

Protein Deficiency: Protein is crucial for egg production. Inadequate protein intake can lead to decreased egg production, smaller eggs, or eggs with poor shell quality.

Vitamin D Deficiency: Vitamin D is necessary for proper calcium absorption. A deficiency in vitamin D can hinder calcium utilization, resulting in soft or thin-shelled eggs and reduced egg production.

Vitamin E Deficiency: Vitamin E plays a role in reproductive health. A lack of vitamin E may cause reduced fertility, decreased hatchability, or abnormal embryo development.

Vitamin B12 Deficiency: Vitamin B12 is important for energy metabolism and nerve function. Deficiency can lead to reduced egg production and poor eggshell quality.

Selenium Deficiency: Selenium is an essential trace mineral involved in various metabolic processes. Its deficiency can result in reduced egg production, poor hatchability, and weak immune function.

Iodine Deficiency: Iodine is necessary for proper thyroid function, which affects overall metabolism and egg production. A deficiency in iodine may lead to reduced egg production or delayed sexual maturity in pullets.

Omega-3 Fatty Acid Deficiency: Omega-3 fatty acids contribute to the nutritional quality of eggs. Chickens fed a diet deficient in omega-3 fatty acids may produce eggs with lower levels of these beneficial fats.

Remember, nutritional needs may vary depending on factors such as breed, age, egg production, and health conditions. If you are unsure find a produce or stockfeed shop near you and speak to someone there. They usually have a wealth of information about the different feeds.

Both of our local stockfeed stores have also ordered new feed in for us, and we have then given them feedback about the results from the feed to help improve their knowledge also. It's important to note that nutrition deficiencies are typically the result of imbalanced or inadequate diets.

I can’t stress enough that commercial well-balanced chicken feed will give your flock the best coverage for the least effort on your part. If you then supplement with appropriate treats, access to forage, and necessary mineral sources can help prevent these deficiencies and support optimal egg production.

Enrollments open on the 10th of June and close on the 16th of June. With the course starting on 17th and running for 6 weeks.

Perfect time to do the course if you are considering chickens in spring.

Go to the web page to get on the list and you can choose either a Free PDF with 7 must know’s or a webinar on which breed of chicken is right for you.

https://www.mojohomestead.net/7mustknows

https://www.mojohomestead.net/breedwebinar

The Great Plant-Based Con - is a fantastic book that explains regenerative agriculture really well.

https://thegreatplantbasedcon.com/

Why Should You Grow Your Own Eggs?

1.   Quality and freshness: Homegrown eggs are often fresher and of higher quality than store-bought eggs, which can be several weeks old before they even reach the grocery store.

1.   Health benefits: Homegrown eggs are often healthier and more nutritious than store-bought eggs, with higher levels of vitamins, minerals, and omega-3 fatty acids. Study on pasture-raised eggs versus confined housing eggs.

1.  Cost savings: Growing your own eggs can be a cost-effective alternative to buying eggs from the store, especially if you have a large family or consume eggs regularly.

1.  Sustainability: Raising backyard chickens and growing your own eggs can be a sustainable and eco-friendly practice, with a lower carbon footprint than factory farming and reduced waste from packaging and transportation. Regenerative agriculture now starting to pave the way for people with understanding how livestock farming and holistic management practices can actually be more beneficial for environmental issues. 

1.  Control over production: By growing your own eggs, you have control over the production process, including the chickens' diet, living conditions, and the use of antibiotics or hormones. This is a big one, as people educate themselves more about the food they eat corresponding to health issues and concerns they have. 

1.  Educational benefits: Growing your own eggs can be a great learning opportunity for children and adults alike, teaching valuable skills like responsibility, animal husbandry, and food production.

1.  Local food movement: By growing your own eggs, you're supporting the local food movement and reducing your reliance on large-scale industrial agriculture. Diversity in farming and homesteading practices are highlighting how everyone can participate in reducing the carbon footprint of their own family. Food miles go towards the transport sector impact, which is the biggest impact worldwide on greenhouse gas emissions.

1.  Flavour and variety: Homegrown eggs often have more flavour and variety than store-bought eggs, with different breeds of chickens laying eggs with different colours, sizes, and taste profiles. Some of my customers claim they have never tasted eggs like ours! And one customer was making pasta with our eggs and claimed her parents, elderly Italians, said it reminded them of the pasta their mothers used to make.

1.  Connection to nature: Raising backyard chickens and growing your own eggs can provide a deeper connection to nature and the food we eat, fostering a greater appreciation for the natural world.

1.  Community building: Growing your own eggs can be a great way to connect with like-minded individuals in your community, through local chicken-keeping groups, farmers' markets, and other community events.

Enrollments open on the 10th of June and close on the 16th of June. With the course starting on 17th and running for 6 weeks.

Perfect time to do the course if you are considering chickens in spring.

Go to the web page to get on the list and you can choose either a Free PDF with 7 must know’s or a webinar on which breed of chicken is right for you.

https://www.mojohomestead.net/7mustknows

https://www.mojohomestead.net/breedwebinar

Getting Started with Backyard Chicken Keeping

1. Choosing the right breed: Different breeds of chickens have different personalities and egg-laying capabilities, so it's important to choose a breed that fits your needs and preferences. I have a free webinar you can watch to help you decide which chicken breed is right for you.
2. Setting up a coop: Chickens need a safe and secure place to sleep and lay eggs, so setting up a coop is a crucial step in getting started with backyard chicken keeping. It is vital that you have this prepared before getting started. The different types include full-enclosed, partially enclosed or the pasture-raised model that we use. 
3. Providing proper nutrition: Chickens need a balanced diet of feed, water, and supplements to stay healthy and lay eggs regularly. Chickens are not vegetarians, they are omnivores, and they require protein from all available sources. Bugs, worms, mice and insects.
4. Managing waste: Chicken manure can be a valuable fertilizer for your garden, but it's important to manage it properly to prevent odour and pests. With our pasture-raised model, we don't collect the manure rather we let the chickens deposit it in the field for us. In urban areas, the best method I have seen is to have gravel in the open area and use a kitty litter scope to collect the manure. It is very clever. Inside you can do something similar with coffee grounds, recycled from your local cafe of course, and the scope will drop the coffee grounds and hold the manure. The manure then needs to be composted until broken down. 
5. Ensuring good health: Regular checkups, vaccinations, and parasite control can help keep your chickens healthy and happy. Observation of your girls daily is the best option. You will notice if something is not right. However, if you have enough adequate good feed and shell grit, clean water, dry warm area to roost and monitor for parasites, you will elevate 99% of problems.
6. Providing space and exercise: Chickens need plenty of space to roam and scratch, so providing a fenced outdoor run or free-ranging area is important for their well-being. Allowing the chickens to free range is vital for the bird's mental health. Chickens need to be chickens and do all the things nature has taught them to do. A great way to help them is when you turn over your veggie garden beds allow the chicks to go in and dig the soil. They will clean out pests, drop manure and aerate the soil for you. If you can’t them daily access there are other things you can do to help. Set up a swing in their coop, freeze corn into ice blocks on hot days, thread a rope through cabbage and hang it in their coop. 
7. Egg production and collection: Collecting eggs regularly and storing them properly can help ensure a steady supply of fresh eggs for your household. There is so much debate about egg storage and I’m not “health department qualified” so I can only tell you what I have always done, and none of my family has even gotten ill. We do not refrigerate our eggs, and we do not wash them. 
8. Winter care: Cold temperatures and snow can pose challenges for backyard chicken keepers, so it's important to have a plan for keeping your chickens warm and healthy during the winter months.
9. Legal considerations: Some cities and towns have zoning laws or regulations that govern backyard chicken keeping, so it's important to research and follow any applicable rules. Roosters are usually out but check with your local council.
10. Joining a community: Joining a local chicken-keeping group or online community can provide valuable support, advice, and camaraderie for backyard chicken keepers.

The push for plant-based (vegetarian and vegan) diets uses the claim that is it better for the environment.

Farmers have got blamed for so long but it really comes down to how many flights and drives you want to take each year and humans need to have endless supplies of electricity to their houses.

Mono cropping is needed to produce the high level of demanded plant-based products. This style of agriculture affects soil health by damaging the ecology, reducing topsoil, increasing the need for synthetic fertilizers, increasing the use of pesticides and producing low-nutrient food.

Utilising livestock to increase soil health not only reverses all these things but it also prevents deforestation and desertification in large areas of the earth. So if demand for pasture-raised meat and animal products increases then the earth will be healthy.

Humans and their energy usage are the main problems when it comes to greenhouse gases and there is no way to stop humans transport and energy costs as people would refuse to give up flying, driving and electricity.

So the best and easiest way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions is to eat a meat-based diet.

Emissions by sector of Greenhouse gases

https://ourworldindata.org/emissions-by-sector

Important links if you would like to learn more about this.

Allan Savory - TedX Talk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vpTHi7O66pI

Joel Salatin - PolyFace Farms

https://polyfacefarms.com/

Richard Perkins - Ridgedale Farms

https://www.richardperkins.co/about/

https://www.ridgedalepermaculture.com/

Molly and John Chester - Apricot Lane Farms

https://www.apricotlanefarms.com/

I am currently listening to The Great Plant-Based Con by Jayne Buxton and can highly recommend it! She’s saying all the things that I have been thinking about. She has done all the research. https://www.hachette.com.au/jayne-buxton/the-great-plant-based-con-why-eating-a-plants-only-diet-wont-improve-your-health-or-save-the-planet

Real Life Medicine - Their podcast is amazing

https://www.rlmedicine.com/meet-the-doctors

Dr Anthony Chaffee - fantastic resource

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzoRyR_nlesKZuOlEjWRXQQ

So please do your own research and understand all the facts before you decide. And remember to grow the life you want to live.

I have been questioning my knowledge of diet styles in an effort to improve my own health. The information I have been gathering is indicating that we have been lied to by the dietary associations of our countries. 

It disappoints me that government bodies that are supposed to help us are very likely making us sicker.

Some of the things I covered in this episode are below, including the links mentioned.

From 10,000 BC until 2,200 BC humans survived on a primarily meat-based diet. Not moving to crops until the bronze age after 2200 BC. Rice and potatoes not becoming commonplace until after 1485.

Buddist - Practice non-violence against all living things, however, I have travelled through Tibet and Nepal and can confirm that they will eat meat and animal products, as long as the animal has not been killed specially for them.

Hindus - mostly practice Vegetarianism, but not veganism as they consume milk. It should be noted that they avoid many vegetables also.

Around the mid-1700s in the USA, many religious groups became vegetarian due to the temperance movement. The common belief is that masturbation, overindulgence and violence, can be controlled by a vegetarian diet.

Leading this belief is the Seventh Day Adventist Church, whose founder Ellen G White, who although not vegetarian herself, received visions from God that followers of their church should abstain from the flesh and milk of animals, as they are as bad as tobacco and alcohol. SDAC it should be no surprise went on to find the massive processed food giants Sanitarium and Kellogg's. It surprised me to find how many SDA members were sitting on associations and boards in America and Australia that directly influence the dietary associations in those countries.

It is such a tangled web that I cannot describe it better than Belinda Fettke, who is the wife of the Australian Dr who they attempted to silence when he spoke out against high carbohydrate diets being fed to his diabetic patients while in hospital. He was threatened with de-registration because he was advising patients to eat low carbohydrate healthy fat diets in order to lose weight to avoid amputations!

It stuns me that a Dr in Australia in the 2000s could be looking at de-registration because he is healing his patients. WTF!

The Background of Dietary Guidelines by Belinda Fettke, wife of Dr Gary Fettke https://isupportgary.com/articles/evolution-of-plant-based-dietary-guidelines

Other research indicated our change in diet to predominantly plant-based is actually affecting our kids. 

Keto diets are also showing excellent results in relation to other health issues. Keto Diet - ADHD and Autism https://www.dietdoctor.com/low-carb/adhd-autism

An excellent and very thorough read on this topic is a book I am currently listening to on audible, The Great Plant-Based Con by Jayne Buxton and can highly recommend it! She’s saying all the things that I have been thinking about. She has done all the research. https://www.hachette.com.au/jayne-buxton/the-great-plant-based-con-why-eating-a-plants-only-diet-wont-improve-your-health-or-save-the-planet

A fantastic podcast is posted by these ladies, with great information and real facts. Real Life Medicine - fantastic podcast by Dr Lucy Burns and Dr Mary Barsons

https://www.rlmedicine.com/meet-the-doctors

Dr Anthony Chaffee - American Dr now living in Australia, who lives a carnivore lifestyle, and certainly backs up his statements with facts.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzoRyR_nlesKZuOlEjWRXQQ

I am disappointed that the Australian and American Dietary Association have basically told us what to eat based on who had a vested interest. Arent these associations meant to be non-biased and do what is best for their citizens? I am definitely not a "conspiratorial" type of person, but it is horrendous that government agencies are ignoring the best health for their communities, over who is paying them so that they can sell more cereal-based products.

Next week we'll talk about the other issue with plant-based diets.

CJ Discusses the things you need to consider when making an income from homesteading. Does it pay? We discuss the different products you can produce with homesteading, pricing and hard to enter fields. 2 things to keep in mind "Do the things you love" "Area's that are hard to get into have much less competition"