How to Protect Your Chickens from Predators – 20 Tips

Estimated reading time: 9 minutes

I didn’t think it could ever happen to me, but it did. I lost half of my flock of chickens in a vicious predator attack. It was swift, it was silent, and it happened just fifteen minutes after my family left the yard to go inside for dinner.

We were devastated by the loss of our precious hens, but sometimes, our best intentions at predator-proofing just aren’t enough and we need to do a little more work to ensure the safety of our feathered friends.

Never underestimate a hungry predator. They are smart, cunning, and determined to feed themselves and their young. They may fly, climb, dig, run, or pounce, but they will find a way to get to your chickens if they are hungry enough. Once a hungry predator discovers an easy meal on your homestead, you can be sure that it will keep coming back for more.

Your best defense against a predator attack is a strong offense – a combination of strategies to prevent an attack from happening. If you have a flock of chickens, you’ll want to protect your investment of chickens, eggs, and pets from hungry predators just waiting for a hearty meal.

1. Know The Enemy

In Southeastern Pennsylvania, foxes, hawks, and neighborhood dogs are some of the worst offenders when it comes to predator attacks, but raccoons and coyotes aren’t unheard of, either. In some Arizona neighborhoods, emboldened coyotes are a threat not just to chickens, but other small family pets such as cats and dogs, as well.

Get to know the most common predators in your area so you can tailor your methods of prevention to your own backyard predators.

2. Use Hardware Cloth Instead Of Chicken Wire

Chicken wire is great for keeping chickens in, but its flimsy construction does little to keep predators out. A raccoon can easily reach a paw through chicken wire to snag a hen, and larger predators are able to tear right through.

Instead, line your chicken pen and any windows or vents in the coop with hardware cloth. Quarter inch mesh is a better option for keeping predators away from your chickens.

3. Don’t Attract Predators

Keep your chicken run clean to avoid attracting unwanted predators. Leftover food and water should be taken in at night, and nearby garbage cans kept tightly closed. Leftover food and garbage can attract predatory animals such as possums, skunks, raccoons, and even rats to your chicken coop.

4. Lock Your Chickens Up In A Coop At Night

This may sound elementary, but it is true. Locking your chickens in their coop at night will protect them from night-time predators, and even people, looking to steal or kill.

A sleeping chicken is an easy target because they do not see well at night and are disoriented in the dark. Last summer, I cared for 2 rogue roosters who refused to sleep in the coop, much preferring the branches of the black walnut trees.

Although they were doing fine under the cover of the summer leaves, once the leaves began to fall in the autumn, the sleeping chickens were more exposed and became easy targets for owls.

Similarly, several chickens who preferred to sleep under the coop, where I could not reach them, became fast food for the neighborhood fox. Their unmistakable middle of the night squawk was a telltale sign that they had been caught.

5. Electric Fence

You can easily foray into the world of electric fencing with a prefabricated poultry fence. This electric netting is fairly inexpensive, easily movable, and simple to put together. Not only will it keep your chickens in, it will keep predators out.

All-in-one kits are easy to set up, and fence chargers are available with optional solar power.

6. Check For Holes In Your Coop Regularly And Repair The Immediately

Predators such as minks can squeeze their bodies through a hole as small as one inch in diameter, then go on to kill every chicken in the coop. Rats will eat baby chicks, and snakes will go for your eggs. To prevent these smaller-sized predators from entering your coop, keep a close eye for any small holes or gaps and repair them.

7. Keep Your Chickens Confined To The Safety Of A Chicken Run

Free-range chickens are much more susceptible to a predator attack than chickens kept in a pen. If you are not willing to share your birds with predators, keep them in a coop with an attached chicken run. Even friendly neighborhood dogs can be a threat to a flock of chickens, so a chicken run is your best defense against even friendly predators.

8. Bury Your Fence

Predators such as coyotes and foxes can easily dig under your chicken run fencing to get to the unsuspecting chickens inside. To discourage them from getting through, bury your fence or hardware cloth about a foot into the ground on all sides to keep them from digging underneath.

If you cannot bury your fence, a cement walkway around the perimeter, or even a walkway made from old pallets, will also discourage digging.

9. Motion Sensor Lights

Dusk and dawn are common time periods for predator attacks, and they are also times of day when you may be locking up or letting out your birds. A simple motion sensor light may be enough to ward off those unwanted predators during vulnerable times.

We hung a very basic solar powered, motion sensor light, similar to this one on our coop. It helps keep predators away, and we can easily see from the house if something has triggered the light to come on.

10. Hawk Netting

If you don’t have a roof over your chicken pen, your chickens are still open to an aerial attack. It is illegal to kill birds of prey such as hawks and owls, and the penalties are stiff, including fines and jail times. However, you can prevent aerial attacks with hawk netting, such as this one.

This creates a physical barrier that hawks won’t fly through. Some types of hawk netting add a striped visual element to the netting to make it even more discouraging to hawks. If you don’t want to purchase hawk netting, you can string fishing line across your pen in a criss-cross pattern to discourage hawks from flying into the coop.

11. Guardian Animals

LGDs, or livestock guardian dogs, are the go-to animal to protect your free-range flock. These effective guardian dogs are very protective of their animals and people, but are somewhat expensive and require extensive training.

However, if an LGD is not right for you, there are other guardian animals that you can choose from. Raise a baby goose with your flock, and it will protect them from predators, as well as raise an alarm when one gets too close.

Other unique guardian animals are donkeys and guinea hens. Guinea hens create quite a racket when any creature comes in your yard. Donkeys are naturally aggressive towards canines, and may offer protection for your homestead against coyotes and roaming dogs.

There is some evidence that crows will protect your flock from birds of prey. Crows are territorial and will naturally defend their turf from birds of prey, so attracting a few of these black beauties to your yard could be helpful.

However, hungry crows might also prey on eggs and chicks. They also have the potential to spread disease, so you may want to think twice before encouraging crows to take up residence in your area.

Of course, the most natural, faithful protector of your flock is a rooster. Some roosters can be aggressive towards people as well as predators, but a good rooster is worth keeping for his protective abilities.

12. Create Open Space Around Your Chicken Run

Predators do not like to be exposed, so if possible, create a wide open space around your chicken shelter. Predators will be less likely to choose your chickens as their prey if they have to move out in the open to do so.

13. Provide Shelter

If your chickens are free-ranging, offering them some shelter will protect them from aerial attacks. Provide bushes, small houses, or other tight places your chickens can get into where a hawk won’t follow.

14. Supervised Free-Ranging

You can further protect your flock by offering your chickens a little free ranging break from their chicken pen when you are around to supervise. Because chickens naturally return to the coop around the same time each evening, you can plan to let them out for a short period right before their return to the coop. You’ll be nearby to supervise and ward off any potential attacks.

15. Visual Deterrents

You can use a variety of visual deterrents to ward off avian predators such as hawks and owls. Stationary objects, such as scarecrows and fake owls work better if they are moved around the chicken yard every couple of days.

Otherwise, hawks and owls can become accustomed to their presence. Hang up old CD’s or other reflective materials around your yard to flash in the sunlight to startle hawks and interrupt any potential attacks.

16. Be Active

Your presence can be a great deterrent to predators. Being active around your chicken coop will make predators aware that humans are nearby. Even the smell of your scent after you are gone may be enough to discourage a more timid predator from coming for your chickens.

17. Predator Urine

This controversial deterrent can be purchased online. The theory is that predatory animals will mark their territory to warn others to stay away. Spreading wolf or coyote urine around your coop and run would supposedly keep away other wolves and coyotes. Some homesteaders swear by this less-than-appealing defense, while others do not believe it works.

18. Secure Feed and Feeders

It might seem unrelated, but unsecured feed can be a major predator magnet. Spilled grain or feed left out overnight not only attracts rodents, but also larger predators like raccoons, skunks, and opossums looking for an easy meal.

Use gravity-fed or treadle feeders that close when not in use, and always store bulk feed in sealed metal containers. A clean feeding area is a safer one.

19. Install a Game Camera

Sometimes the best way to fight back is to know exactly what you're dealing with. Installing a game or trail camera near your coop can help you identify what predators are lurking around at night.

Once you know who the culprit is, you can tailor your defense strategies more effectively. Plus, it can offer peace of mind, or a wake-up call, when you see what's been prowling while you sleep.

20. Coop Door Automation

Life gets busy, and it's easy to forget to lock up the coop at night. Investing in an automatic coop door can be a game-changer. These doors open and close on a timer or with the rising and setting sun, ensuring your flock is safely tucked in no matter your schedule. It’s a small investment that could save your entire flock from a nighttime predator attack.

You May Also Like:

• 10 Livestock Predators to Beware Of
• How to Keep Your Chickens Cool in Hot Weather
• 6 Ways to Protect Your Livestock from Predators
• 10 Most Common Chicken Predators (And How to Stop Them)
• 10 Best Dog Breeds For Guarding Your Livestock

The post How to Protect Your Chickens from Predators – 20 Tips appeared first on Homestead Survival Site.

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10 Food Shortages You Need To Stock

Based on my own shopping experiences lately, I recently wrote a post about some of the grocery items I noticed were in short supply on local store shelves. I was pleased but surprised at the comments and questions from the article, so today I want to expand on that subject and share 10 food shortages you need to stock. Please tell me the shortages you have noticed in your city or state.

I don’t drink a lot of soda and no beer, but I do like a few cans of soda to use when cooking some meat recipes in the slow cooker. Anyway, here is a discussion about those beverages, and a few more food items I have researched.

Yesterday, when I went to pick up a gallon of milk, they had “restrictions” on buying only one gallon. The egg shelf was nearly empty, and no buttermilk was to be found. The pasta shelves had about 5-6 packages on a 12-foot shelf. I’m hoping they were waiting for a shipment to fill those shelves. I’m not returning to find out since I’ve already purchased what I need.

We are all aware of the shortages in many industries caused by manufacturing cutbacks related to hurricanes, tornadoes, supply chain bottlenecks, labor shortages, the conflict in Ukraine, and the effects of climate change, such as drought and floods. All those may be contributing factors to the food shortages we’ll discuss, and I’ll try to provide some details so you can plan your strategy when filling your fridge or pantry.

Canned Meat Shortage

I just tried to order some Keystone canned meat (shredded beef), which also has restrictions. Some stores are sold out; you can buy six to 12 cans in some. The Keystone ground beef was available, but I don’t care. It’s too chewy.

In case you missed this post, 10 Grocery Items You May Have Trouble Finding

10 Food Shortages

1. Peanut Butter

Peanut consumption has significantly increased over the past few years, as reflected in an increase in per-capita use. I didn’t realize that over 50% of that consumption comes from the population eating peanut butter. With the rise in meat prices, many of us have turned to peanut butter as a great source of the protein we want, along with other nutritional benefits. This food item is also popular among our Vegan friends.

Several companies make peanut butter, including J.M. Smucker Co., which makes the most popular brand, Jif. Many retailers also have store brands, but Jif leads the pack by an extensive margin. Last summer, a recall for Jif was announced due to “potential Salmonella contamination” of the product. Note that you can claim a refund for your purchases through the manufacturer.

This recall was a double whammy since many of the groceries we buy include products made from the same peanut butter that Jif is made from. That could consist of treats like fudge. It is also reported that many peanut butter product options sold by Amazon are in short supply, but when I looked, you could still find a pretty good assortment.

You may find that there will be a shortage of Halloween-related treats made with peanut butter. The makers of Jif say they have worked through the recall issues and hope to be back to full production quotas soon. Economists have commented that this product’s supply and demand could prompt price increases, just like we’ve seen with prices in other food system sources.

2. Mustard

You may not be aware, but most of the mustard seed production we benefit from comes from western Canada and the northern states. This region has been affected by severe drought conditions, making growing the mustard plants that produce the seeds difficult. Since fewer acres have been planted in mustard plants, the trend for shortages in the resulting mustard for the near future and beyond is pretty high.

Reports from Wisconsin Spice suggest that production could be off by 50% since Canada produces about 75% of the global imports and 90% of what American producers need. Many European countries, including Ukraine and Russia, account for a significant supply of mustard seed, so the saga is repeated there.

No one will experience hunger without mustard, but we sure enjoy the flavor. Those of us who love Dijon Mustard, much of which is made in France, will miss it if the shortage continues for a longer-than-expected timeframe.

3. Milk

Milk production and the related costs and income have certainly been affected by the cost of livestock feed, product transportation, packaging, and other influences seen by food manufacturers and producers. I don’t view the situation with milk and milk-related products as a food crisis, but it certainly is cause for some concern due to the number of people and products that rely on a consistent supply.

Several “staples” we eat come from milk production, including butter, cream, and cheese. All these products compete for the milk that is the basis for each. Decisions regarding allocating reduced milk production due to higher logistical costs, agricultural production, labor shortages, and other factors will be harrowing.

Yes, there are some substitutes for regular milk, like soy milk and various nuts like cashews and almonds. The challenge for regular milk drinkers is that those options tend to cost a great deal more, and for milk purists, they don’t taste the same.

As we approach the holiday season and all the special meals, parties, and treats we look forward to during this memorable and fun time of year, don’t be surprised if you find some of your favorites in short supply. You may want to stock up on Augason Farms Instant Milk. I have Thrive Life and love it. But I have heard good things about this brand. Augason Farms states it lasts 20 years.

4. Tampons

This is one product with worldwide ramifications. Tampon availability is influenced by the same factors troubling our global economy: high costs for raw materials used to make them, higher fuel costs affecting distribution, and supply chain challenges. Many female-related products qualify for some government assistance and insurance support, but menstrual products don’t.

Even if families can locate what they need, they are forced to pay more for it, and that price increase has adversely affected millions of families.

Some inventory challenges result from the rising cost of the cotton, rayon, and plastic used to make the tampons. The pandemic tended to redirect many of these materials to make other medical essential products, putting a real squeeze on tampon production. Some family support groups are trying to supply these items, but they have to ration what they have so each family receives at least some supplies.

The Food and Drug Administration advises that tampons are designed to be used only once and then thrown away, so don’t ever try to reuse them. Also, don’t be tempted to extend their use by waiting an extended period to remove them. Trying to expand their use can lead to infection.

If you’re having difficulty finding what you need, rather than being tempted to hoard tampons for your inventory, consider checking out my post in which I suggest women consider homemade cloth pads. Although they may not be as comfortable and convenient, they are very cost-effective. You may also want to check out Reusable Menstrual Pads, which come highly recommended.

5. Baby Formula

Since early this year, the U.S. has experienced a baby formula shortage. Baby formula availability was already influenced by pandemic-related supply chain issues when an Abbott Laboratories plant was shut down after a federal investigation determined the manufacturer may be providing a product that caused bacterial infections in infants being fed the formula. Although the problem wasn’t widespread, with four babies being infected and two of whom died, it was considered a significant risk, which led to the closure.

This closure particularly affected low-income families since nearly 50% of the formula purchased in the U.S. is bought with federal funds under a WIC program. Many of the women under WIC assistance are more likely to use formula since they come from low-income families where the women have to return to work soon after the baby arrives, since their income is needed to support the family.

The company did begin manufacturing the formula, but it took a while to catch up due to the downtime. There may be another recall due to a recent test of the formula and some issues from those tests. We’ll have to see.

Other formula manufacturers make the Abbott product, so if you’re waiting for it, you may want to consider another brand. Pressure is being applied to allow more foreign-produced products to be sold in the U.S., but if successful, that could take a while.

If you can produce your breastmilk, you might consider seeing a lactation consultant or breastfeeding physician to see if your production could be increased. If you need a formula, make an effort not to waste it by monitoring how much the baby typically eats and filling the bottle to the appropriate level. Be sure not to dilute the formula since that could compromise the nutrients your baby needs to thrive.

6. Sriracha Sauce

This is a hot sauce made from chili peppers. The largest manufacturer, Huy Fong, Inc., states that due to challenging weather conditions in regions where the chili peppers are grown, there will be a shortage this fall and winter. Severe weather caused a significant crop failure that reduced the spring harvest, but many of the chilis that survived didn’t meet the quality standards.

If this is one of your favorite sauces, you’ll probably need to look for a substitute. If you do have a source, please don’t be tempted to hoard what’s available so as many aficionados as possible can enjoy some, too.

I had to go to two stores to get a picture of these FOUR bottles, just giving you the heads-up!

7. Hershey’s Chocolate/Chocolate in General

Although it’s one of my favorite treats, we don’t need chocolate to survive. Still, this is one food treat we look forward to this time of year, particularly around Halloween. Hershey’s told CNN that they have been gearing up for a robust holiday season, but as CEO Michele Buck says, the company “will not be able to meet consumer demand” for Halloween candy fully.

Unsweetened cocoa has doubled in price, and so have my semi-sweet chocolate chips, which I stocked up on last fall.

What’s being said, consumers from all quarters demand more candy, including chocolate. The company reported double-digit growth in sales in the last quarter compared to the previous year’s numbers. They speculate that we are all trying to make up for all the challenges brought on by the pandemic, inflation, high gas prices, and other distractions. We like to spoil ourselves; chocolate is a good “pain reliever.”

If you haven’t done so already, go to your local store and buy candy to spoil the trick-or-treaters coming your way in the fall.

8. Beer and Soda

Both beer and soda companies have been affected by the supply chain issues caused by the pandemic. Many are still trying to regain full capacity after cutting back on essential staff.

The biggest challenge right now is a shortage of C02, and carbon dioxide. This is the ingredient in both beer and soda that gives it the bubbles and tangy texture. It also helps to keep the beer fresh. C02 is a byproduct of ethanol production, and ethanol wasn’t as needed when fewer people were using their vehicles as much during the pandemic, so more than half of the ethanol plants were closed during the pandemic. Those plants are gearing up, but achieving desired production levels may take a while.

Another source of C02 is a large reservoir in the Jackson, Mississippi, area called Jackson Dome. This extinct volcano released a gas that contaminated the reservoir during the summer, making the C02 unusable.

The big breweries are working on backup options for their C02, but the small microbreweries will be more drastically affected since they don’t have the financial resources to purchase new C02-generating machinery.

Another challenge to beer production is the recent poor barley harvests. Back in 2021, barley, a key ingredient in beer-making, had a less stellar harvest. The high heat and dry conditions in the Northern Plains and Pacific Northwest, where most of the barley is grown, scorched the barley.

The USDA indicated, “We’re seeing the lowest crop conditions of the century, which is only two decades old, but still the lowest crop conditions for spring wheat and barley across the Northern Plains.”

Another contributor to the shortage is the high demand for aluminum cans. Many consumers did more at-home drinking, prompting the need for canned drinks. If people drink in groups, it’s usually done in draft form in bars and restaurants. Yes, beer does come in bottles, but cans are easier to stack and store, making them preferable for many drinkers.

9. Tomato Products

Fresh tomatoes and products like ketchup and salsa could prove harder to find at your local grocery store. According to CNET, California, which produces 90% of the domestic tomatoes in the U.S., is suffering through a severe drought that makes it very difficult to grow this American favorite. CNN reports that nearly 37% of the farmers in California are abandoning existing crops due to the very dry situation.

This is very ironic since the Washington Post reports that in 2015 and 2016, American farmers cut back on planting tomatoes because there was an oversupply due to other countries reducing their imports of canned tomatoes from the U.S. because they cost more than people were willing to pay.

With the worst drought since the year 800, who knows how long the shortage may last, prompting the farmers to shift to other crops that don’t require as much water to survive and thrive.

This may be enough to influence some families to consider growing their own garden and including tomatoes in their garden plans.

10. Olive Oil

The U.S., particularly California, isn’t the only country and region experiencing severe droughts, dragging down agricultural businesses. According to Olive Oil Times, Spain accounts for nearly 50% of the world’s olive oil supplies.

Spain has been experiencing massive heat waves, with more on the horizon every month. When temperatures approach 100 degrees and stay there for days, the olive trees suffer, and the olives aren’t as prolific.

Italy is another country the world relies on for olive oil. That country has also been experiencing its worst drought in the past 70 years. They expect a 20%-30% reduction in olive oil production this harvest year. I went to the store the other day to purchase some olive oil for my pantry since we had recently cooked a few meals and needed to replace what I had used.

I found a variety of olive oil brands, but noticed I was paying more than I expected based on previous olive oil shopping trips. I hope your experience proves to be different, but if you can find what you want, expect to pay more.

Final Word

I hope you look over this list of 10 food shortages. Some you may use, and some you never buy. No worries, but if some are critical to your family’s needs, please stock up on what you can. Check dates because nothing is worse than getting home and realizing the food expired last month.

We all have opinions on “best-by dates” or “expired dates,” but let’s be real when stocking the pantry. Since these items are experiencing some shortages, I expect the inventory to be pretty recent. May God bless this world, Linda

The post 10 Food Shortages You Need To Stock appeared first on Food Storage Moms.

from Food Storage Moms

The Best and Worst Places to Ride Out the Collapse

Estimated reading time: 9 minutes

A lot has been written about the best bug out locations and the best countries to survive a societal collapse. There are even articles covering some of the bug out bunkers being constructed around the world for the rich and famous.

It all makes for interesting reading with some good advice, but it often assumes that someone has significant money and resources to prepare to such an elaborate degree. 

New Zealand may be the best country to live in during a global societal collapse, and luxurious bunkers converted from abandoned nuclear silos may be the ultimate bug out location, but for most of us, that’s all out of reach.

That leaves us with our determination, available money, resources, and common sense to make the best decisions about how we would survive any level of societal collapse.

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The Bug Out/Bug In Dilemma

Many people have decided to make their home their fortress and have done the best they can to stockpile, learn new survival skills, and acquire the tools and equipment to bug in.

Others have a bug out plan with bug out bags packed and either various bug out locations identified or a dedicated bug out location established. But the big question that remains, regardless of your level of preparedness, is how safe is any location?

It’s Not About Safe, It’s About “Safer”

Regardless of how well we research, plan, and anticipate – the safety of any location can change based on variables totally out of our control.

Let’s say we’ve found what we think is the perfect bug out location in a remote area with ample natural resources. It seems like a safe place to survive the madness of a societal collapse. Unless of course everybody else decides to move to that same location. 

We’ve seen this time and again over history as refugees fleeing persecution, civil war, or starvation converge in the same safe place all at once. What initially appeared to be a safe haven is now worse than the area they originally fled.

The unfortunate fact is that while we may initially find that “safer” location, it will potentially evolve and change as events unfold. If the location ultimately becomes unsafe, the only option is to bug out again.

It’s possible that bugging out could become a recurring event. The key is to know what to look for that defines a “safer” place and what factors make any place unsafe to begin with. Hopefully we get it right the first time and avoid a constant cycle of bugging out. 

The Worst Places to Live

Remember this: The greater the population density of a location, the more unstable it will become.

Stores will be shuttered, local police and fire departments will be overwhelmed, hospitals and emergency services will be maxed out, and schools will be closed. As a large population begins to compete for resources, crime and violence will own the streets. That’s why urban areas would be some of the worst places to live in a sudden collapse.

If the grid is down or unreliable, the situation in cities will deteriorate quickly, and even bugging out could become impossible as roads turn into parking lots overwhelmed by traffic. But here’s the caveat…

If everyone bugs out of the cities to the countryside, it’s possible that the population density of any remote area will suddenly be challenged with the same demands. It almost makes you wonder if some of these ideal bug out locations that are often identified like Idaho, Wyoming, and Maine will become the new mega cities.

There are already complaints from some long time Idaho residents about the sudden influx of outsiders to the state. 

Extreme Factors to Consider

It’s hard to predict what could specifically cause a societal collapse. Five civilizations across history collapsed as a result of drought. Many because of war or revolution. Future threats could emerge along those lines or worse.

Here are some remote possibilities that may be closer than we want to imagine:

• Is the location a potential target in the event of nuclear war? It may seem that cities are the obvious targets, but as was revealed when the Chinese weather balloon traveled across Montana and North Dakota in early 2023, both Montana and North Dakota are the locations of a significant number of nuclear warhead silos (150). That means even a seemingly remote location could be a nuclear target. 
• Does the location have a history of natural disasters including hurricanes, wildfires, drought, earthquakes, or other weather extremes? If it happened in the past, it will happen again, and climate change will make it worse. 
• Are there any other extreme events that would make a particular location particularly vulnerable? 

The Best Places to Live

We’ll identify some generally safe areas in the United States, but it’s important to understand what makes a location “safer” and what may allow it to maintain those characteristics over time.

Here are some of the criteria that define a “safer” location during a societal collapse.

• Abundant, natural water resources. These are defined as freshwater springs, creeks, rivers, ponds and lakes. The water is relatively clean and unpolluted by industrial chemicals or city sewers. The water rights are also open to the general public on public lands and along riverways. 
• Sufficient arable land for small scale farming, orchards, and animal husbandry. 
• Stable climate without weather extremes measured by temperatures, rainfall or drought, flooding or wildfires, hurricanes or landslides. Climate change extremes should be considered in areas subject to high heat, drought, or extreme cold. 
• Realistic property values and tax rates that the average person can afford at the outset and hopefully manage as events unfold. 
• A stable population size that can sustain itself without becoming overwhelmed by the unmet needs of any part of the population. 
• Community potential. There’s safety in numbers, and while a high population density puts significant strain on an area, there is something to be said for a small community that lives in a spirit of cooperation and mutual respect. 
• Sufficiently remote from large cities, jails, interstate highways, and nuclear power plants with a minimum of 60 miles of separation generally defined. 
• Hunting and fishing potential as a source of additional food. 
• Abundant trees and forests offering supplies of firewood for heat, cooking, and building. 

All of those factors point to some tough decisions if you’re currently living in an area with a high population density. And those high population areas may extend beyond cities to suburbs and even exurbia.

It’s unlikely that most people are going to abruptly pack up and move right away, but if you’re considering the purchase of a bug out location, think about starting it off as a vacation home or even a few acres of land where you may build someday.

Waiting to make any move after a collapse has occurred is not the best idea. Plan ahead. It’s what preparedness is all about. 

Areas in the U.S. That Meet the Criteria

Rather than list towns and states, we’re going to identify geographic areas that are loosely defined by parts of certain states. 

The Western Appalachian Mountain range of the Carolinas, West Virginia, Eastern Kentucky and Eastern Tennessee (Appalachia)

The Appalachian Mountains are comparatively short and gentle compared to the Rockies. This makes them easy to hide in and easy to hold, but difficult to traverse in the remotest regions for outsiders.

The mild, temperate climate throughout much of this region is suitable for a variety of farming practices, and plentiful wildlife and water combined with widespread deciduous forest offer a good supply of natural resources. 

The Ozarks of Northern Arkansas and Southern Missouri

The Ozarks are a sprawling geographic region taking up a significant chunk of northern Arkansas and southern Missouri. It consists of gently rolling mountains, expansive forests, and natural resources combined with a relatively mild climate all year. Agriculture is a definite possibility, and hunting and fishing is plentiful.

Ark-La-Tex

Ark-La-Tex is the name ascribed to the intersection of Arkansas, Texas, and Louisiana given to it by residents of the region. The area is highly bio-diverse with excellent hunting, fishing, and agricultural opportunities. The area itself is free from the climate extremes that each state is known for.

It is neither blisteringly hot nor too humid, and can give you plenty of breathing room to stay well away from the coast and its dense population.

There are other areas that are often identified, but they either seem to ignore the realities of climate change, or they're described as destinations for the hardiest of survivalists. It’s certainly true that moving to Alaska will put you in a remote area with abundant natural resources, but the potential for weather extremes in a state already known for harsh winters could affect whether you consider the location “safe.”

The argument can be made that uncomfortable places won’t attract as many people, but even people who take a lone-wolf approach to survival may find that going it totally alone is not the safest solution either. 

Additional areas identified in the past with similar weather extremes include New Hampshire, Wyoming, Idaho, and Maine. They offer a similar mix of natural resources and remote areas but are subject to harsher weather extremes that could become worse as climate change continues to disrupt and alter global weather patterns. 

Consider Your Current Location

It’s unrealistic for someone living in an American suburb to consider moving their family to New Zealand or Iceland, but if you apply some of the measures we’ve identified, you may be able to identify some places that are close enough to make the move possible.

What’s important is to start thinking about it now while there's still time. That’s the first step toward preparedness, and it's a step we all need to take.

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You May Also Like:

• The Dangers Of A Remote Bug Out Location
• The Government Will Help These Cities First After The SHTF
• 7 Signs Civil War Is About To Happen In The U.S.
• According To This Study, Civilization Could Collapse By 2040
• Where Are The Best Places for Preppers to Live?

The post The Best and Worst Places to Ride Out the Collapse appeared first on Urban Survival Site.

from Urban Survival Site

How to Map Your Region For Food Before Disaster Strikes

When the shelves go empty and the streets turn dangerous, your survival won’t depend on stockpiles alone—it’ll hinge on how well you’ve mapped your region for food. Most preppers focus on hoarding, but real security comes from knowing where to find food when supplies run dry. Whether you’re navigating urban ruins or foraging in the ... Read more...

from Prepper's Will

If What They Say About FEMA is True – Do THIS Immediately!

When SHTF, you already know you won’t have many friends left. You’ll most likely be on your own. Don’t imagine you’ll be able to count on neighbors or other people to come to your aid. Even less so on, you guessed it, FEMA. No matter how many times they tell you “FEMA is here to […]

The post If What They Say About FEMA is True – Do THIS Immediately! appeared first on Ask a Prepper.

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How to Tell If a Watermelon Is Sweet

Have you wondered how to tell if a watermelon is sweet? Do you enjoy eating watermelon but hate it when it’s too watery or hasn’t matured enough to be sweet? Some watermelons are flavorful, while others taste more like water than anything else.

Mark has been our watermelon “tester” for years. He’ll tell you that when you tap your knuckles on the outside of the melon, you want to hear a hollow sound. Move on to another one if it sounds “dull” without the hollow sound.

I’m not sure that’s a foolproof approach or that you’ll find a perfect melon. But if you’d like to take most of the guesswork out of finding a sweet ripe watermelon that satisfies your craving for fresh and delicious fruit, check out these helpful tips. You can use these tips to tell whether a watermelon is ripe and will taste sweet most of the time. In case you missed this post, How to Dehydrate Watermelon

How to Tell If a Watermelon Is Sweet

Check the Size and Weight

Check the size of the watermelon and compare it with others, whether in your garden, at the grocery store, or at a farmer’s market. Some assume a giant or heavier melon is the best, but that isn’t necessarily true.

Realistically, a heavy watermelon often has a higher water content than smaller ones, meaning they won’t taste nearly as sweet. In this case, bigger isn’t better and may indicate the melon is overripe. A smaller and lighter melon may not have reached its peak ripeness. Instead, look for an average-sized watermelon to buy. You don’t want an oversized or too-small watermelon. Instead, the goal is to find that average or medium size.

Check the Shape of the Watermelon

Carefully look at the shape of the watermelon. While the fruit is typically round, some are more elliptical than others. If you see oblong or oval watermelons, don’t bother getting them because they’re likely less sweet because they contain more water.

When you’re craving the sweetness of this fresh fruit, choose a round watermelon. If you spot the perfect round watermelon, it’s the one to buy!

Look for a Field Spot

Always check for a field spot or ground spot on your watermelons before buying them. Not all watermelons will have this spot, but if you can find some that do, they can provide you with more valuable information on the fruit. Read on below.

What is the field spot?

The field spot you want is a large yellow spot in an area outside the rind that appears on a watermelon and shows where it’s spent most of its time resting. Some watermelons won’t have this spot. On the other hand, some will have a slightly orange spot, and others will have a white field spot. Knowing the difference between the colors of these spots is a must. Look for the yellow belly or field spot for the best chance at prime ripeness.

Stay clear of melons with a brown or black spot on the bottom. It is a sign the melon has belly rot, which is caused by a fungus.

What does the orange spot mean?

If you find a watermelon with the orange field spot, it’s a better sign than white. The fruit is likely as sweet and flavorful as the yellow spots because it stays on the vine longer, giving it time to ripen and taste better.

If the melon is dark green on all sides, it hasn’t had time to ripen. Note that watermelon doesn’t ripen well once it’s been picked. That isn’t the case with cantaloupe; they’ll continue to ripen.

What does the white spot mean?

When you see white specks or white spots on the watermelon, don’t bother buying it. The spot typically signifies that the watermelon spent more time on the ground and likely tastes more watery than sweet.

Be sure to look closely at any spots that you might see on the watermelon. Sometimes, the orange spot looks more yellow than orange. As long as it’s not white, you’re good to go.

Examine the Exterior Color

While looking at a selection of watermelons, check out the exterior color of each one that catches your eye. Naturally, you’ll need to look for darker watermelons. The bright colors might catch your attention first, but those watermelons often taste more watery than sweet since they’re more likely to be overripe.

You may have heard the old saying, “The darker the berry, the sweeter the fruit.” It applies to watermelon as well. If the outside of the watermelon has a darker, duller appearance, it’s likely already ripe, sweet, and ready for you to eat.

Also, check the texture of the melon’s flesh. If the outer rind has soft spots, the melon is overripe or wasn’t nourished adequately during the growing process.

Pay Attention to Any Shininess

Have you ever noticed that some watermelons have a shiny appearance on their skin? The shininess often makes people believe these are the best watermelons to get, but that isn’t the case. Unfortunately, if you see a shiny melon in the batch when shopping for fruit, that fruit isn’t fully ripe. 

If you buy them, they won’t have the sweetness of a watermelon that’s dull in color. If one store only has shiny-skin watermelons, don’t buy the fruit there. You can head to a different grocery store or farmer’s market to find what you want.

Gently Shake the Watermelon at the Store

It sounds silly, but shaking the watermelon at the store can help you decide whether to buy it. Please don’t shake it too roughly to cause damage to the watermelon. Instead, hold the watermelon with both hands and gently shake it from one side to the next.

Sometimes, the size of the watermelon causes you to hear the water. If you can listen to the extra water, you’ll want to avoid that watermelon because it won’t have the naturally sweet taste you crave from the fruit.

Look for Webbing on Your Watermelon

Don’t forget to look for any signs of webbing on your watermelon. While this isn’t something you’ll see on every watermelon you find, it’s a noticeable pattern worth paying attention to.

If you see slight webbing on different parts of a watermelon, the best thing to do is avoid buying it because it will have a watery, bland taste. If you see extensive webbing on the watermelon, buying it is a good idea. Watermelon with more oversized webbing tends to have a sweeter taste.

Perform a Thump or Sound Test

You can find a ripe watermelon when you thump the rind, and it makes a deep sound. When tapping, the deeper sound means the flesh has the texture you want without too much water. If the melon still needs time to ripen, the sound will be higher-pitched, whereas an overripe melon will have a thud or flat sound when you tap it with your knuckles.

Perform the Smell Test

It may seem strange, but you can test if the melon is ripe by smelling its aroma through the rind. If you don’t smell a sweet aroma, the melon is likely underripe. If the smell is very strong, the melon is past its prime and overripe.

What does the tendril look like?

A watermelon has a curly tendril, which is where the melon connected to the vine as it was growing. If the tendril is still green, the melon was picked too soon. A dried-out tendril indicates the melon was ripe when picked and should be sweet-tasting.

Canning Books I recommend: USDA Canning Guide or the Ball Canning Guide

Are there any health benefits from eating watermelon?

We all love eating the flesh, as in bright red flesh, of sweet watermelon. It tends to be a favorite cool summer treat for most of us on a hot summer day. I wonder how many of us consider the health benefits of this delicious fruit. Let’s jump in and check off a few things that will make this fruit even more attractive to eat.

Watermelon Is Full of Nutrients

You can feel good about eating watermelon since common nutrition facts show the flesh and watermelon juice are good sources of the nutrients we need. You can benefit from potassium, magnesium, vitamin A, C, and vitamin B6. There is also the amino acid citrulline, and many antioxidants like carotenoids, lycopene, and cucurbitacin, which make up the food chemistry in watermelon.

Antioxidants help fight free radicals, which can be harmful and cause inflammation and related muscle soreness.

Watermelon Is Low in Calories

Although watermelon is pretty sweet, it is relatively low in calories—only 46 for a one-cup serving. Due to its high water content, watermelon doesn’t have much dietary fiber.

Aids Hydration

Yes, water is about 92% water, so if you eat watermelon, you’re adding to the hydration you need to support all your body functions. That includes organ operation, nutrient delivery, proper temperature regulation, digestion, and heart health.

The high water content and low daily value of sodium (like salt) found in watermelon make for a good combination for preventing high blood pressure (hypertension). That means you’re lowering the incidence of heart disease and helping with weight loss as part of a daily weight management plan.

May Have Some Anticancer Benefits

Some studies, although not conclusive, have found that plant compounds in watermelon may have anticancer benefits. Those compounds include lycopene and cucurbitacin, as mentioned above.

Watermelon Promotes Good Heart Health

Athletes should be happy to hear that watermelon may lower the risk of heart attack and stroke by reducing cholesterol levels. As mentioned, watermelon is a good source of vitamins A, C, and B6; others also help support good heart health.

It Can Reduce Pain From Inflammation

Since watermelons contain a great combination of antioxidants and vitamins, eating watermelon may reduce the incidence of inflammation and the related oxidative damage that other foods may cause. Pain is often the first sign of inflammation, so if you’re feeling muscle pain, try some watermelon to see if you get some relief.

May Help Prevent the Common Age-related Diseases, Macular Degeneration

Some studies have shown that the lycopene found in watermelon MAY, through its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, help prevent macular degeneration in adults. Watermelon isn’t a substitute for professional care, so see your doctor if you have any vision issues.

Final Word

If you love watermelon but are tired of eating the watery ones that don’t taste sweet or have much flavor, use these simple tips to your advantage. You must carefully inspect your watermelon to check its size, shape, and other features.

These features are essential to consider because they signify whether the fruit will taste sweet. Reviewing the watermelons carefully can take time, but it’s worth ensuring you get what you want. Now that you know if a watermelon is lovely, you can ensure you always get the most flavorful fruit at any store.

Maybe you use other methods to find that particular sweet-tasting watermelon. If so, please let me know so I can pass on your “secret” to my readers. They’ll appreciate it. May God bless this world, Linda.

The post How to Tell If a Watermelon Is Sweet appeared first on Food Storage Moms.

from Food Storage Moms

15 Foods that Will Kill Mice Instantly

I don’t think too many people would disagree that mice are very cute, but for those of us who have had to deal with them in any context except as pets, there is no arguing that they are destructive little critters. A single mouse can ruin food in your pantry, chew on wiring and of ... Read more

15 Foods that Will Kill Mice Instantly can be read in full at New Life On A Homestead- Be sure to check it out!

from New Life On A Homestead