Starting Your Small Homestead (On A Budget)

If you have animals or live with other living things, someone or something is bound to get sick or hurt at some point. And while the degree of said injury to illness can vary, there are some things you can keep on hand to help at the first sign of trouble.

Now, before I go any further, legal jargon: I am not a veterinarian! The information provided here is not intended to replace the professional or medical advice of a veterinarian. I use these remedies based on my research and experience and it in no way represents the thinking or practices of other goat keepers, breeders or veterinary practitioners. Every animal, their needs, and their circumstances are different. I am sharing what has worked for me. The information provided here is for educational purposes only. There are no guarantees and we here at Farmer Awad and The Awkward Goat are not liable or responsible for anything that may or may not happen with your animals' health. There are no claims of diagnosis, preventions, or cures being made here. I am not being paid to promote any products being referred to in this article. Please consult your local veterinarian before proceeding with any medical treatment.

Here's our 10 ways of keeping our homestead healthy:

1. ACV (Apple Cider Vinegar)

The key to our health lies in our gut. If our gut has good flora, then for the most part, we can fight off anything that comes our way.  The same goes for most animals. And ACV is a major way to help keep a healthy gut.  Fun story: The Farmer tried to make some home made hard cider from the crab apples out front. The first batch did not turn into hard cider. In fact, it turned to, you guessed it: Apple Cider Vinegar. But instead of throwing this out little experiment, we decided to use it to put in the critter water. ACV is a multi tool on the homestead.  We put some in with the rabbit's water. It get's them drinking more. And no matter what time of year it is, keeping your animals hydrated is key to having happy, healthy critters. 

2. Seeds

Not just any seeds. Pumpkin seeds. Pumpkin seeds are touted as being a great wormer. I'm really not sure of all the science behind it. I just know that I have fed my animals seeds since we started raising them 3 years ago and I have never had a worm problem. I really don't feel comfortable giving my guys the store bought stuff. Most brands must be portioned out by weight according to the type of animal you have... It leaves room for error and I am not comfortable with that. But seeds? All of the animals love pumpkin seeds. It's good for them. Plus, as a little added bonus, we got a LOT of volunteer pumpkins this year that were plentiful and gorgeous from the compost we collected the fall before.

3. Garlic

Garlic is great at warding off those pesky parasites. You do need to be careful with it, as it is toxic in large quantities. But sprinkling some garlic powder in with the feed or a few cloves in the water bucket for the chickens does the trick.

4. Bunny "Baby Food"

From time to time, I get a bunny that has a hard time transitioning from milk to regular food. There also times when my breeding mamas need an extra boost. For this, I mix together a cup of pureed pumpkin, 1/2 cup of old fashioned oats, and some yogurt or goat's milk. I have never had a rabbit turn this down. It gets them eating again. The oats are great to get their system working the way it should. And the protein from the yoghurt or goat's milk helps them to get their energy. I've also given this to my chickens when they are healing from an injury.

5. Yogurt

Yogurt is great for the gut. It provides probiotics that help keep the animals in shape. This is especially true for chickens. If you have some yogurt getting ready to expire or that has already expired, give your chickens a treat. Plain yogurt is the best. No sugar needed here. Your chickens are sweet enough.

6. Hydrating Solution

Although we very much try to avoid dehydration, it can happen. Especially for chickens and rabbits. And just like humans, they needs a balance electrolyte (sugar salt solution) to get their system back up to par. My go to on this is molasses. In fact if you have some goats who need encouragement to eat, adding molasses to their food helps as well as provide extra nutrients. For the little critters, however, a simple solution of 1 cup water to 1 tablespoon molasses will do the trick. If they are unable to drink on their own, you can use a small syringe. Just be sure that they are swallowing the solution and not aspirating it.

7. Wound care

Staying on top of wounds is so critical in the care of animals. They are living outside and exposed to the elements. No matter how clean we keep their living conditions, they are still exposed to dirt, poop, and other gross things that could quickly turn a superficial wound into a full on infection. So, first, clean the wound. get any visible dirt out with water and mild soap. Once you've done the critical first step, you have some choices. My go to has always been hydrogen peroxide. But on the livestock animals, an iodine spray would most likely work better. Many goat keepers and horse owners swear by it. And quite frankly, I think my grandmother would have agreed. I remember her putting that stuff on everything! On the smaller animals, you can also use Neosporin or some other antibiotic cream to put on the wound. Last step is to dress the wound. You have to protect the wound from any new yuckies (technical term) getting in. You MUST change the dressing at least once a day if not more often. 

8. Ticks, Mites, and other bugs

When we first got into chicken keeping (the gateway drug to full on homesteading), we kept reading about the many uses of DE or diatomaceous earth. This is the remnants of hard shelled algae and it serves to kill off any parasites or small bugs by cutting them to death. However, in recent studies, there are indications that DE may not be as useful as we once thought. That being said, giving your coop or livestock area good dusting every so often does not hurt as long as the dust has settled by the time everyone goes to bed. Another product that I use with my animals and in their bedding area is Python dust. It is a pesticide of sorts that can be used in moderation to keep mites, ticks, lice, fleas, and other nasty bugs at bay. 

9. Epsom Salts

Who doesn't like to soak in a bath of salts? This product is great for ailing chickens and goats with hoof issues. The minerals help to sooth any pain the animal may be having. When washing an animal for wound care, consider an Epsom salt bath.

10. Vigilance

Keeping a good eye on your critters is the first defense in keeping a healthy homestead. Keep an out for anything out of the ordinary: a limp, sneezing, wheezing, coughing, a wound, isolation, or if the animal is just not being itself. Early detection is the key to keeping your critters happy and healthy.


Having a homestead is more than just playing farmer, as you might imagine. It mean taking an interest in the well being of your animals. It is a symbiotic relationship. We take loving care, making sure that each of our critters is happy, healthy, and comfortable. But they aren't freeloading over here. Each animal pulls their weight, giving us eggs, milk, meat, and manure to put in the garden. And the healthier and happier they are, the harder they are willing to work. So, win win. Have any natural remedies that you go to when a fur baby is feeling under the weather? Leave your comments down below.

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