This was my third year going to the Okie Homestead Expo, and every time I go I come home with the same feeling — I learned a lot, missed just as much, and realized how much more there still is to figure out. If you’ve never been, the Expo is one of those events where there are multiple speakers going at the same time all day long, and you spend half the weekend wishing you could split yourself into six different people. Five to sit in the sessions, and a sixth to walk the ven

Breeding pens are underway at Cross B Hens N Heifers. This season we’re refining key traits, protecting established lines, and preparing for limited hatching egg availability.

A realistic look at wing banding at hatch, including placement mistakes, rotation risks, and how to manage growth without overreacting.

When you wing band chicks matters more than most people realize. This post breaks down what actually changes as chicks grow, why timing feels confusing, and how to choose intentionally instead of by default.

If wing banding makes your stomach tighten the first time you think about it, you’re not broken. You’re normal. I didn’t start with wing bands either. I avoided them. Like a lot of people, I began with what felt gentler. Numbered leg bands in different colors. They worked fine at first, until the year went by and I found myself picking birds up and holding their legs three inches from my face, squinting, trying to read numbers that had faded just enough to be useless. That wa

This week we’re in the middle of a winter storm with snow, wind, and sustained cold temperatures. When weather like this moves in, my focus narrows to a few simple priorities: keeping my chickens dry, blocking wind, and making daily chores manageable. I don’t try to reinvent the wheel during extreme weather. Over time, I’ve narrowed things down to a short list of supplies I keep on hand every winter — items that consistently make a difference when conditions are less than ide

Have you ever fallen into the black hole of the extremely pretty and perfect planner Pinterest images?.... (pppssstttt.... if you havn't don't go look you'll be there for hours, its a true story!) Really, they make you think Ive got to go get all these things to do my planner right this year! If I do it right and I like the way it looks then I will stick to it! Right? Nope sorry, didn't work for me. I have been buying planners for years.... Cheap ones, Expensive ones, Small o

It is literally that time of year again! January. I know for me, time flies so fast. I always feel like I am a step behind. It is SOOOOO easy for me to get sidetracked or STUCK on one thing. As my friend Kayla says "Attention Deficit OOOOooo SPARKELY!" But it is so true and when you have this list of things to accomplish or even the HONEY Do List that you want to get accomplished, it can seem so discouraging when it doesn't happen, so then we THROW OUT THE LIST!!! Am I rig