There’s a lot of talk about 2024 and how people are getting ready. However, the steps below are good preparedness goals no matter what year it is.
1. Get Chickens: Egg Layers and Meat Birds
Chickens are the unsung heroes of any prepper’s toolkit. Not only do they provide a steady supply of fresh eggs, but they can also serve as a reliable source of meat. Here’s how to make chickens a part of your preparedness plan:
- Choose the Right Breeds: When selecting chickens, consider dual-purpose breeds like Rhode Island Reds, Sussex, or Orpingtons. These birds are excellent layers and can also be raised for meat. However, dual purpose can be a little expensive to raise for the meat. Â Production meat like the Cornish Cross is easy to get a hold of and should only take about a two-minute Google search to find them.
- Get Or Build a Coop: Create a secure and comfortable living space for your feathered friends. Make sure the coop is well-ventilated, easy to clean, and predator-proof.
- Feed and Care: Provide a balanced diet of poultry feed, fresh water, and kitchen scraps. Regularly check for signs of illness and maintain proper hygiene to keep your chickens healthy.
Where I lived, we had an egg shortage, and if you didn’t have chickens, you were paying top dollar for eggs. For a time, Costco even had a limit on how many egg boxes a shopper could purchase.
Additionally, even if you are in suburbia and live in a postage stamp yard, there are plenty of resources from people like Joel Salatan and Justin Rhodes to show you how to raise chickens (including meat birds) on a very small scale.
Lastly, Tyson has been forecasting a chicken shortage because food prices have been so expensive and more people are eating chicken.
2. Plant a Garden: Thriving Even with Limited Space
Growing your own food is a fundamental step in self-sufficiency. Even if you have limited space, you can still create a bountiful garden. Here are some tips:
- Container Gardening: Utilize containers, pots, or raised beds on your balcony, patio, or any available space. Choose compact varieties of vegetables and herbs.
- Vertical Gardening: Grow upwards by using trellises or vertical planters. This method saves space while maximizing your yield.
- Companion Planting: Opt for companion planting to maximize space and deter pests. For example, plant tomatoes with basil and marigolds for a mutually beneficial garden.
- Crop Rotation: If space is limited, crop rotation becomes even more critical to prevent soil depletion and disease build-up.
- Preserve the Harvest: Learn food preservation techniques like canning, dehydrating, and freezing to make your garden’s bounty last through the seasons.
Don’t worry about space, this guy will give you some great tips.
3. Learn About Natural Remedies: Nurturing Your Health
In uncertain times, having knowledge of natural remedies can be a lifesaver. Not only that in a barter and trade economy, knowledge like this is valuable. No, we aren’t saying throw your medications away. What we are saying is that there is knowledge that has been lost, and learning what plants help certain aliments and having them growing on your property can be vital. Especially if systems breakdown and the healthcare system is overloaded.
Here’s how to get started:
- Herbal Medicine: Begin by studying the medicinal properties of common herbs like lavender, chamomile, and peppermint. Learn how to make teas, tinctures, and salves for various ailments.
- Foraging Skills: Understand how to identify and harvest wild edible and medicinal plants in your region. Always practice safe foraging and consult field guides.
- First Aid: Develop basic first aid skills and create a well-stocked first aid kit. Familiarize yourself with herbal remedies for common injuries and illnesses.
- Holistic Health: Explore holistic health practices such as aromatherapy, acupuncture, or yoga. These techniques can promote overall well-being and stress relief.