24 Quick Fixes for Common Homestead Issues

Homesteading is a rewarding lifestyle, but it comes with its fair share of challenges. From stubborn chickens to unruly gardens, problems can pop up when you least expect them. The key to successful homesteading is knowing how to tackle these issues quickly and efficiently.

With the right know-how, you can turn potential disasters into minor hiccups. These 24 quick fixes will help you solve common homestead problems in a jiffy, saving you time, money, and headaches. Keep this list handy, and you’ll be ready to face whatever your homestead throws at you.

Broody Hen Won’t Budge

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When a hen goes broody at the wrong time, it can disrupt egg production. To break her broodiness, place her in a wire-bottom cage with food and water for 2-3 days. The airflow underneath will cool her down and reset her hormones. This method works about 90% of the time and is gentler than the old “dunking” technique. For persistent cases, repeat the process for up to 5 days, ensuring the cage is in a well-lit area to further discourage brooding behavior.

Tomato Blossom End Rot

bottom end rot, tomato
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Those black, sunken spots on the bottom of your tomatoes are likely , caused by calcium deficiency. Mix 2-3 tablespoons of Epsom salt in a gallon of water and water your plants with this solution once a week. Also, maintain consistent soil moisture to help prevent this issue in the future. Adding crushed eggshells to the soil at planting time can provide a slow-release source of calcium throughout the growing season.

Goat Escapes

Oberhasli Goat
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If your goats are constantly escaping, try adding a strand of electric fencing at nose height. Use a 4,000-volt charger for effectiveness. This quick fix will teach them to respect the fence line. Most goats learn after just one or two shocks, making your fencing much more secure. For extra stubborn goats, consider adding a second strand of electric fencing at knee height to reinforce the barrier.

Chicken Pecking

Breese
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Chickens pecking each other can quickly escalate to serious injury. Spray the targeted birds with an anti-pick solution made from 1 cup water, 1 tablespoon salt, and a few drops of dish soap. This makes feathers taste bad and usually stops the behavior within a day or two. Additionally, provide enrichment activities like hanging cabbage or installing a mirror to reduce boredom-induced pecking.

Soil Compaction

broad fork. broadfork, soil compaction
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Compacted soil can stunt plant growth. For a quick fix, use a broadfork to loosen the soil without disturbing its layers. This tool can aerate up to 12 inches deep and covers more ground than a typical garden fork. Follow up by adding a 2-inch layer of compost to improve soil structure. Plant cover crops like daikon radish or alfalfa in the off-season to naturally break up compacted soil over time.

Clogged Drip Irrigation

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Mineral buildup can clog drip irrigation systems. Flush the system with a solution of 1 part white vinegar to 2 parts water. Run this mixture through for 30 minutes, then flush with clean water. This acidic solution dissolves most mineral deposits and can extend the life of your irrigation system by years. Install a filter at the system’s intake to prevent future clogs from debris and sediment.

Moldy Cheese

moldy cheese, mold
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Don’t toss that cheese with a bit of mold! For hard cheeses, cut off the moldy part plus an extra inch around it. Dip a cloth in white vinegar and wipe the cut surface to prevent further mold growth. This can save pounds of expensive cheese over time. Store cheese in wax paper or cheese paper rather than plastic wrap to allow it to breathe and reduce mold growth.

Stuck Tractor

farm tractor stuck in mud
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When your tractor gets stuck in mud, lower the implement (plow, bucket, etc.) and use it to push or pull yourself out. If that doesn’t work, try reducing tire pressure to increase traction. Remember to re-inflate tires once you’re on solid ground to prevent damage. Keep a winch or come-along in your tractor at all times for severe cases of stuckness.

Frozen Water Pipes

frozen water pipe
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For a quick thaw, wrap the frozen section with a heating pad set on low. If you don’t have a heating pad, use hot, damp towels. Never use an open flame, as this can damage pipes or start a fire. Keep a trickle of water running to prevent re-freezing. Once thawed, insulate exposed pipes with foam pipe insulation to prevent future freezing.

Powdery Mildew on Plants

powdery mildew on a leaf
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Mix 1 tablespoon of baking soda and ½ teaspoon of liquid soap in a gallon of water. Spray this solution on affected plants in the morning, making sure to coat both sides of the leaves. This alkaline mixture changes the leaf surface pH, making it inhospitable for mildew spores. Prune affected leaves and improve air circulation around plants to prevent recurrence.

Mastitis in Goats

Dairy Goat
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At the first sign of mastitis, massage the udder with a mixture of 2 parts peppermint essential oil to 1 part coconut oil. This increases circulation and has natural antibacterial properties, and might provide temporary relief. Follow up with frequent milking to clear the infection. If symptoms persist after 24 hours, consult a vet. Maintain strict milking hygiene and sanitize equipment regularly to prevent future cases.

Aphid Infestation

insect pests, aphid
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For a quick aphid fix, mix 1 quart of water with 1 teaspoon of dish soap and spray directly on the pests. The soap breaks down their waxy coating, causing dehydration. Repeat every 2-3 days until the infestation is gone. This method is safe for most plants and won’t harm beneficial insects. Encourage natural predators like ladybugs and lacewings by planting flowers such as dill and yarrow near affected areas.

Dehydrated Livestock

a farmer taking care of livestock
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Mix 1 tablespoon of molasses, 1 teaspoon of salt, and 1 teaspoon of baking soda in a quart of warm water. This homemade electrolyte solution can quickly rehydrate animals suffering from heat stress or mild dehydration. Offer this instead of plain water until the animal recovers. For prevention, ensure clean, fresh water is always available and consider adding electrolytes to water during extreme heat.

Broken Fence Post

man building fence
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For a quick fence post repair, use a T-post driver to hammer a T-post next to the broken wooden post. Secure the two posts together with wire or zip ties. This temporary fix can hold for months, giving you time to properly replace the broken post. For a more permanent solution, consider using concrete to set new posts, which can last up to 20 years with proper installation.

Smelly Chicken Coop

chicken run
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Sprinkle a layer of food-grade diatomaceous earth on the coop floor. This natural powder absorbs odors and helps control pests. Reapply weekly for best results. As a bonus, it’s safe for chickens and can help prevent mite infestations. Implement a deep litter method by adding fresh bedding regularly without removing old bedding, allowing it to compost in place and reduce odors naturally.

Tomato Hornworms

hornworm hanging on tomato plant
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These large green caterpillars can decimate tomato plants overnight. For quick control, mix 2 tablespoons of dish soap in a spray bottle of water and spray directly on the hornworms. The soap suffocates them within minutes. Hand-pick and dispose of the worms after spraying. Plant dill or marigolds near tomatoes to repel hornworm moths and prevent future infestations.

Swarming Bees

Bees Staying Close to Their Hive
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If your bees are swarming, quickly spray them with a 1:1 mixture of sugar water using a garden sprayer. This weighs them down and calms them, making it easier to capture the swarm. Have a new hive ready to house them immediately. To prevent future swarms, regularly inspect hives for queen cells and provide adequate space for colony growth.

Goat Bloat

goat bloat
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For mild frothy bloat, drench the goat with ¼ cup of vegetable oil. This helps break up gas bubbles in the rumen. Walk the goat around for 15-20 minutes after administering. If symptoms don’t improve within an hour, call a vet. Prevent bloat by introducing new feeds gradually and avoiding sudden changes in diet.

Bitter Cucumbers

cucumber plant
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Bitter cucumbers are often caused by uneven watering. Implement a consistent watering schedule, aiming for 1-2 inches of water per week. Mulch around plants with straw to retain moisture. Pick cucumbers regularly to encourage continued production of sweeter fruits. Choose bitter-free cucumber varieties like ‘Marketmore 76’ or ‘Straight Eight’ for naturally sweeter cucumbers.

Egg-Eating Chickens

a golf ball on a chicken litter, bedding, coop
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Place ceramic eggs or golf balls in nesting boxes. When chickens peck these hard “eggs,” they’ll be discouraged from the behavior. Simultaneously, ensure chickens have enough calcium in their diet by offering crushed oyster shells free-choice. Collect eggs frequently and ensure nesting boxes are dark and comfortable to reduce stress-induced egg eating.

Potato Scab

potato scabs
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This common potato disease is exacerbated by alkaline soil. Lower soil pH by adding elemental sulfur at a rate of 1 pound per 100 square feet. Apply in fall for best results. Additionally, ensure proper crop rotation, avoiding planting potatoes in the same spot for at least 3 years. Choose scab-resistant varieties like ‘Kennebec’ or ‘Lehigh’ for added protection.

Squash Vine Borers

squash vine borer
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When you see wilting leaves on squash plants, look for small holes near the base of the stem. Use a sharp knife to carefully cut a slit in the stem, remove the borer, then bury the slit portion of the stem with soil. The plant will often recover and produce new roots from the buried section. Prevent future infestations by wrapping the base of stems with aluminum foil or nylon stockings.

Fly Problem in Barn

housefly on a leaf
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Hang strips of sticky fly paper near doors and windows. For a more natural approach, plant herbs like basil, lavender, or mint near barn entrances. These plants naturally repel flies. Additionally, maintain clean, dry bedding and remove manure regularly to reduce fly breeding sites. Introduce fly predators like parasitic wasps to naturally control fly populations in and around the barn.

Frost Damage on Plants

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If frost is predicted, cover plants with bed sheets, burlap, or commercial frost cloth before sunset. Remove covers in the morning once temperatures rise. For plants already hit by frost, spray them with water before sunrise. This can sometimes prevent cellular damage as plants thaw. Avoid pruning frost-damaged areas until new growth appears in spring, as seemingly dead branches may still be alive.

34 Best Shotguns of All Time

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When it comes to shotguns, few other firearms hold such a range of purpose, heritage, and outright dependability. From the grit of the duck blind to the intensity of a skeet range, shotguns have long been the tool of choice for hunters, competitors, law enforcement, and home defenders alike. Some shotguns on this list helped define their category; others redefined it.

Read More: 34 Best Shotguns of All Time

24 Best Rifles Under $1200 for Preppers, Hunters, and Homesteaders

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When it comes to preparedness, a reliable rifle is worth its weight in gold. Thankfully, you don’t need to empty your wallet to get a solid firearm that’ll stand up to the elements and perform when you need it most. Mid-priced rifles offer the perfect balance of affordability and quality, giving you confidence whether you’re out hunting, practicing at the range, or prepping for emergencies. After running thousands of rounds through a variety of rifles over the years, here’s my list of top picks that hit the mark for both value and reliability. These rifles each offer serious bang for your buck, whether you’re looking for your first gun or adding to a growing collection.

Read More: 24 Best Rifles Under $1200 for Preppers, Hunters, and Homesteaders

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