The Journal

Follow Our Journey

Ranch updates, homestead guides, chicken care, sheep tales, and reflections on faith and farming from our family ranch in Liberty, Texas.

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DIY well house and chick room build
Homestead  ·  Madisson Hebert  ·  5/11/25

DIY Well House + Chick Room Combo: Our Latest Ranch Project

Wind, cold, and Texas weather convinced us it was time to protect our well system — so we built a DIY well house! But we didn't stop there. We added space for our chick brooder setup too. Here's how we built our 12'x12' shed, framed the roof, added tin siding, and made it ready for both well protection and spring chicks!

Sheep on spring pastureFarm Updates  ·  4/29/25

April Farm Update | Spring at Sandy Patch Ranch

Spring is in full swing at Sandy Patch Ranch! This month, we're hatching chicks, letting the sheep enjoy fresh green pasture, sharing an update on our LGD pup Martini, and giving you a look at some of the exciting work going on behind the scenes.

Free homesteading resourcesHomestead  ·  4/28/25

Introducing Our Free Homesteading Resource Page for Families and Beginners

We're excited to announce the launch of our Resource Page! Find free homestead printables, chicken care guides, Bible studies, and trusted product recommendations — all in one easy place.

Easter on the homesteadFaith and Homesteading  ·  4/19/25

Easter on the Homestead: A Reflection on Renewal, Sacrifice, and Grace

Easter on the homestead is more than pastel eggs and blooming wildflowers — it's a sacred reminder of renewal, grace, and the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Join us as we reflect on the resurrection and how daily farm life mirrors the loving care of our Good Shepherd.

DIY sheep shelter buildSheep  ·  4/13/25

DIY Sheep Shelter and Pen Setup | Ranch Project Update

We built a new DIY sheep shelter at Sandy Patch Ranch! Come see how we transformed a 50'x50' pen into a safe, weatherproof space for our ewes — with step-by-step updates, family teamwork, and a few surprises along the way.

Chickens on the homesteadChickens  ·  4/7/25

Chickens: The Best Addition to Any Homestead

Chickens are hands-down the easiest and most rewarding livestock for any homestead. In this post, we walk you through our welded pipe chicken pen design, how we adapted it for West Texas predators and weather, and the feeders and waterers that have made life easier for us — and better for our birds.

March farm updateFarm Updates  ·  3/30/25

Farm Update — March 2025

Spring has arrived at Sandy Patch Ranch, bringing windstorms, new life, and exciting changes! We've been busy planting fruit trees, hatching our first batch of chicks, and reinforcing our chicken pen against the elements.

Raising chickens for beginnersChickens  ·  3/16/25

Raising Chickens for Beginners: Everything You Need to Know

Thinking about raising chickens? Whether you're after farm-fresh eggs, natural pest control, or just the joy of backyard birds — starting your own flock is easier than you think. Here's our beginner's guide.

Truth about homesteadingHomestead  ·  3/10/25

The Truth About Homesteading: Why We Do It and You Should Too

Homesteading isn't always Instagram-worthy. Chickens will escape. Crops will fail. Weather won't cooperate. But through the struggles, there's a deep sense of fulfillment — and if God put it on your heart, He'll give you the strength.

Welcoming Spark the lambFarm Updates  ·  3/5/25

February Farm Update: Welcoming Spark, Overcoming Challenges

This month has been challenging and full of blessings. We welcomed a new lamb, Spark, after the loss of her mother Candle. Our hens are finally laying again, and we're looking forward to hatching new chicks soon.

Chicken table scraps guideChickens  ·  2/26/25

What Table Scraps Can Chickens Eat? (Free Printable List!)

Always wondering what you can give your chickens? Check out our Table Scrap Guide — a free printable list of what's safe, what's not, and what's a treat.

Our homesteading journeyHomestead  ·  9/19/24

How We Started Our Homesteading Journey at Sandy Patch Ranch

Follow our journey from college sweethearts to homesteading in West Texas. Learn how we turned our dream of building a ranch into reality — raising chickens, ewes, and more while embracing the challenges and blessings of ranch life.

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