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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: 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.
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. Read on for all the latest updates from our little patch of sand!
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! But with so many breeds, coop setups, and feeding options, where do you even begin?
In this beginner’s guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know—from choosing the right breed to setting up a secure coop. Plus, take our fun Chicken Breed Quiz and help us pick our next flock addition!
Ready to get started? Let’s talk chickens!
The Truth About Homesteading: Why we do it and you should too
Homesteading isn’t always Instagram-worthy. There are early mornings, late nights, and plenty of moments that test your patience and resolve.
Chickens will escape.
Crops will fail.
Weather won’t always cooperate.
But through the struggles, there’s a deep sense of fulfillment. There’s something incredible about sitting down to a meal that came entirely from your own hard work. Homesteading teaches resilience, adaptability, and faith in ways few other lifestyles can.
If you’ve ever felt the pull toward a simpler, more self-sufficient life, know this: It won’t be easy, but it will be worth it. And if God put it on your heart, He’ll give you the strength to do it.
February Farm Update: Welcoming Spark, Overcoming Challenges, and Embracing New Beginnings
This month has been both challenging and full of blessings at Sandy Patch Ranch. We welcomed a new lamb, Spark, after the loss of her mother, Candle, and have been navigating the journey of bottle-feeding and introducing her to the flock. Our hens are finally laying again, and we’re looking forward to hatching new chicks soon! Through it all, we’re grateful for God’s provision and excited for the year ahead.
What Table Scraps Can Chickens Eat? (Free Printable List!)
Always wondering what you can give you chickens? Check out our Table Scrap Guide!
Farm Update Nov, Dec, Jan
Farm Update November, December, and January
October Farm Update 2024
ber brought some challenges and triumphs—we hatched our first batch of eggs with a fantastic fertility rate, helped a sick ewe back to health, and learned a lot from our early days with the flock.
September Farm Update
September was a big month! We officially launched Sandy Patch Ranch, set up our LLC, bought our first flock of sheep, and even got our incubators in place to prepare for future hatchings
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. Discover the passion behind our family's homesteading adventure and the land that called us
