Waddle and Cluck

08/15/2026

The first time the grid went down for days, I spent the opening hour digging for flashlights with dead batteries, and I swore never again. Now our whole homestead blackout kit lives in one labeled spot anyone can find in the dark. Here is exactly what goes in it, including the livestock and freezer plans a normal emergency kit forgets.

https://waddleandcluck.com/homestead-blackout-kit/

08/14/2026

If you've ever seen bright orange, jellylike tentacles erupting from a cedar tree in spring, that's cedar apple rust — and if you have apple trees within a mile or two, those spores are heading your way. The good news is it's predictable and very manageable with the right timing. Full breakdown on the blog, including what to spray and when to start.

https://waddleandcluck.com/cedar-apple-rust/

08/13/2026

Every camera, smart lock, and sensor you add runs through one router, which means your home network now guards your whole homestead. The good news? A handful of simple steps block most attacks, and you can do them in an afternoon. Here's how to secure your home network, starting with the fixes that matter most.

https://waddleandcluck.com/secure-your-home-network/

08/12/2026

Fall molting can make healthy hens look rough, but most of the time it is a normal seasonal reset. Learn what signs to watch for, how long molt can last, what to feed molting chickens, and when feather loss may be something more serious.
https://waddleandcluck.com/chicken-molting-in-fall-a-complete-guide/

08/12/2026

Getting lost in the woods isn't always a dramatic survival situation. Sometimes it's a property you've walked dozens of times that just stops making sense in low light. Ryan spent time in the Navy on a construction security team and as a Seabee, so land navigation is something he was actually trained in — and his take on what to do when you're lost is practical, calm, and worth reading before you need it.

https://waddleandcluck.com/what-to-do-when-you-get-lost-in-the-woods/

08/11/2026

Thinking about poultry farming? Start smaller than your enthusiasm. Chickens are usually the best beginner bird, but success depends on housing, clean water, feed, predator protection, and knowing whether you want eggs, meat, or a small farm business. The updated beginner guide is on the blog.
https://waddleandcluck.com/poultry-farming-for-beginners/

08/11/2026

Comparing MySoil and Soil Savvy for a home soil test? Good news: both beat guessing, because both mail your sample to an actual lab rather than relying on a color-change strip. The differences between them are modest (MySoil is cheaper with app tracking; Soil Savvy uses a resin method and gives a simple fertilizer rec). But here is the honest tip that could save you money: your local Cooperative Extension lab is often more accurate AND cheaper than either. Full comparison:

08/10/2026

Home canning is practical, useful, and worth learning, but it is not the place to wing it. This updated canning safety guide covers tested recipes, pressure vs. water bath canning, acidity, altitude, seals, storage, spoilage signs, and the mistakes that can make a jar unsafe.
https://waddleandcluck.com/home-canning-safety/

08/10/2026

David John's Nature Note this week is about the monarchs moving through right now, and it puts the whole migration into perspective. The butterflies you are seeing in your fields and gardens are fourth-generation monarchs heading to forests in Mexico they have never been to. Their great-grandparents left those forests last spring. There is also something practical here about what landowners can do to help.

The monarch butterfly lifecycle spans four generations and thousands of miles. Here's what's happening in your fields right now, and why so few are making the trip.

08/09/2026

Pumpkins are more than porch decor. Grow the right varieties, harvest when the rind is hard, cure them properly, and you can use them for carving, centerpieces, chili, pancakes, cheesecake, and fall displays. The updated guide covers how to grow pumpkins and decorate with them all season.
https://waddleandcluck.com/tips-for-growing-and-decorating-with-pumpkins-a-comprehensive-guide/