Guardians At The Gate

This is coyote season. Coyotes are more active, traveling farther, searching for mates, establishing dens, and looking for food in the cold winter months. Movement increases. Pressure increases. And vigilance matters more.

The edges of the property feel closer. And at the same time—new life is coming.

As we prepare for an upcoming whelping with our livestock guardian dog, I’m reminded just how much of this farm exists because of protection thoughtfully put in place. These dogs don’t just live here. They stand watch. They listen when we sleep. They move toward threat instead of away from it.

I often think of Nehemiah—how the people rebuilt the wall with a tool in one hand and a weapon in the other. “Those who built the wall and those who carried burdens loaded themselves so that with one hand they worked at construction, and with the other held a weapon.-” Nehemiah 4:17.

Building and guarding at the same time. That is the posture of a working farm, and honestly, of faithful living.

We tend life here—goat kids, poultry, pasture, family. But tending without protection would be foolish. Scripture never calls us to be careless. It calls us to be wise.

Our LGDs are part of that wisdom. They are not pets in the traditional sense. They are partners in stewardship. Because of them, our goats graze in peace. We rest without worry for our animal’s safety.

With puppies coming soon, the circle of protection will grow. New guardians learning their place, their purpose, their responsibility. It’s a reminder that life is always unfolding alongside vigilance—that joy and duty are not opposites, but companions.

I would not have the animals I have without these dogs. They are a gift.

As we build and new life arrives on the farm, we trust the Lord with the increase.

“Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.” (Psalm 127:1)

Puppies should be arriving in the next week or so. If you’d like to learn more about our Karakachans, look here. If you’d like to be added to our puppy waitlist, reach out via email! I’d love to hear from you.

Permaculture on the Homestead: Why Every Animal Has a Job (And Why We Keep Ducks)

One of the guiding ideas on our homestead is permaculture—the practice of working with the land instead of constantly working against it. At its heart, permaculture is about design. What role does each piece play, and how can they support one another?

On our small farm, every animal has a thoughtful and intentional purpose. The goal is that each creature contributes something that helps the whole system and land function better.

Our ducks are a perfect permaculture example.

Our pond used to require hours of weekly maintenance (manual cleaning and even biological additives to support the water’s health). After the addition of ducks, everything changed. They eat the algae that would otherwise take over, acting as a natural filtration system and helping restore balance to the pond.

They also eat mosquito larvae and adult mosquitos, which has made a truly noticeable difference during warmer months.

Furthermore, ducks are territorial and their presence helps deter other migratory birds that can bring disruption or disease.

While it’s not a pleasant thing to think about, here at Lavenwell, they serve as a decoy. Ducks stay out at the pond overnight, and in the rare event of a predator, I would much rather lose a duck than a hen or a goat. Thankfully, with our livestock guardian dogs maturing and doing their job well, this hasn’t been an issue—but it’s still part of the design for ducks to be an easier predator pick-off.

Beyond their work, ducks bring something harder to measure but just as valuable: joy. Their quacks, their waddles, the way they move through the water—it makes me smile.

Even their eggs have a place here. While we don’t enjoy eating duck eggs on their own, they’re excellent for baking. Any extras get fed back to the dogs and chickens for added protein. Nothing goes to waste.

That’s permaculture in real life. Not perfection. Not aesthetics alone. Just thoughtful stewardship—allowing each animal to live out its purpose, and letting the land become healthier because of it.

Whole-Grain, Corn-Free, Soy-Free Chicken Feed Experiment: DIY Recipe

Over the past few months, I’ve been experimenting with making my own chicken feed using whole grains, intentionally avoiding corn and soy. I wanted to share what’s been working for us in case it’s helpful to others who are curious about DIY feed or looking for alternatives to conventional bagged rations.

This mix is made entirely from whole ingredients — grains, legumes, and seeds — rather than processed pellets or crumbles. One of the things I appreciate most is that every ingredient is recognizable. Nothing is ground down, artificially colored, or heavily processed. If someone wanted to take it a step further, each ingredient can be sourced organically, making it possible to create a fully organic ration if that’s important to you.

Why Corn-Free and Soy-Free?

One of my motivations for avoiding corn and soy is the high glyphosate usage commonly associated with the commercial production of both crops. While sourcing organic versions can help mitigate this, I wanted to explore whether a corn- and soy-free feed could work well without sacrificing flock health or egg production, or incurring the steep cost of organic, corn-free, soy-free commercial feed.

I’m also personally mindful of soy intake in general, particularly when it comes to hormonal balance — something I think about often as a woman and as a mother. While chickens are not humans, I prefer to keep inputs as simple and moderate as possible. This approach feels more intentional and aligned with how I want to steward both our animals and our home.

How It’s Been Going

So far, the results have been very encouraging:

• Egg production has been stable and right where I’d expect it to be

• Eggshells have been consistently hard and strong

• Yolks and whites look healthy and normal

• The birds eagerly eat the mix

• The feed has stretched longer than expected

Cost & Practical Reality

This approach is not cheaper than the cheapest processed feed available, particularly corn-heavy rations. However, it has been a cost-saving measure compared to higher-quality bagged feeds, especially corn-free or soy-free commercial options.

For me, the value goes beyond cost:

• Knowing exactly what my chickens are eating

• Reducing reliance on highly processed feeds

• Offering a more whole-food, ingredient-based ration

The Recipe (Whole Grain, Corn-Free, Soy-Free)

This is the mix I’ve been using successfully. Percentages make it easy to scale up or down depending on flock size.

• 30% Wheat

• 30% Oats (or barley, if preferred)

• 23% Split peas (or lentils or field peas, if preferred)

• 12% Black oil sunflower seeds

• 4% Alfalfa meal or pellets (can do ground or crumbled. We let them forage around and eat the alfalfa on the ground from our livestock)

• 1% Mineral mix or limestone (I throw in a handful of our goat’s loose minerals -Sweetlix)

Important notes:

• Offer free-choice oyster shell for laying hens to support strong eggshells.

• This recipe is based off of a flock that free-ranges! It may need to be altered if this is the only food source your chickens are receiving

The logistics:

• I use these feed bins for storing my goat & chicken feed in our feed/supply shed

• I estimate my percentages of ingredients! I don’t weigh or measure… I just pour and use my judgement. So far, so good!

• I use a similar chicken feeder to this one in the chicken run

• We put the oyster shells in this hanging feeder inside the chicken run. The chickens can access it at all times

• I use a simple 5-gallon bucket (the cheap kind from Tractor Supply or Home depot) to scoop all of my feed into from the large feed bin and then dump the bucket into the feeder in the run. I usually have to fill it about every 5 days for my flock of birds.

• I work with my local, private owned, feed store to order the ingredients I need if they don’t already have them. If you’re local to DFW area, D&L in Denton is my go-to!

Final Thoughts

This isn’t the only way to feed chickens, and it may not be the right fit for every setup. But for those who enjoy a more hands-on approach, want to avoid corn and soy, or are looking for a whole-grain alternative, this has been a very workable and satisfying path for us.

I plan to continue feeding this way and adjusting as needed. If you’re curious, have access to whole grains locally, or simply want to try something different on your own homestead, this might be a worthwhile experiment for your flock too.

Don’t hesitate to reach out with questions! I’d love to hear if you’re doing something similar. Happy farming to you!