Simply Sustainable Family

Simple, Sustainable, and Healthy Homestead Lifestyle

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How to Build an H-Brace Fencing System for Animals

06.21.2021 by simplysustainablefamily //

If you have ever raised any animals, even pets, then you know the panic that comes when they get out. A recent experience reiterated the importance of knowing how to build an h-brace fencing system for animals that is pretty indestructible. Until this past year, we had never dealt with any major escapes from our homestead. But, this year, our fences were due to be upgraded. And, we had a group of young steers in the barnyard (definitely a recipe for disaster).

Some howling Coyotes spooked them around 2am one morning, and they ended up going right through the fence and down the road to the neighbors farm. We did not realize they were gone until about 4am. It took us over 2 hours to get them back, only to realize that we were still missing 2 of them. Dad found one of the steers meandering along the river bank the next day. And, the second one ran free for about 2 weeks before we enticed it back. Needless to say, the fencing project became our top priority after that. This time, we tried a new design for our Corner Post and H-Brace Assemblies. We have been very pleased with the design. So, we would like to show you how to build an h-brace fencing system for animals. This design is very strong and simple to make.

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pinterest pinnable showing an h-brace fencing system from a distance and unclose.  field in the background.
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Categories // Cows, Homestead Projects

How to Make a Heavy-Duty Extension Cord or Generator Cord

06.05.2021 by simplysustainablefamily //

There are so many aspects of daily life on a homestead that involve using an Extension Cord. These uses range from running power tools, to putting heat lamps on chicks, to running a generator during a power outage. For some of these, a basic extension cord is sufficient. But, there are other times when you may require, or at least prefer, a heavy-duty extension cord. We have built most of our heavy-duty shop or generator cords ourselves using scrap wire from other projects or wire that we found at a yard sale. If you have scrap wire like that available to you, then the whole project could cost less than $25. And, even if you have to buy all the materials new, you will still come out ahead on quality. It only takes about 30 minutes to make a much better cord than what is offered at retail locations.

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heavy duty extension cord laying on an international's scout
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Categories // Homestead Projects

How to Transport Piglets and Make a Simple Pig Pen

03.29.2021 by simplysustainablefamily //

Along with creating my Gardening Plan from Dollar Tree items, Piglet Day is one of my favorite times of the year. This is the name we have given to the day we pickup our Piglets. It took several years of trial and error. But, we have finally perfected the easy ways to transport piglets and how to make a simple pig pen that minimizes the workload. I am now able to look forward to this day and welcome the arrival of our plump and adorable piglets.

piglets inside a cement barn bay pigpen with a pallet fence and a round bale of hay.
Our piglets are giving their obvious approval of their new home.

We pick up our piglets sometime during the first two weeks of March. In the past, this was quite the stressful day and raising the pigs continued to be a time-consuming project. We had a pig pen that was not user-friendly. And, we were using open buckets for both feed and water. On top of this, we had no running water at the barn, and the barn is close to 1/4 of a mile from our house.

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Categories // Homestead Projects, Pigs

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Welcome to My Blog

Meet the family!

Hi, our names are Ruth and Warren, and we live on our family homestead with our 3 sidekicks. We are committed to a sustainable and healthy farm family lifestyle, and we want to take you on that journey with us every single week. We are just crazy enough to find it enjoyable, and we think you may too! You can read more about us here.

Recent Posts

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