When building a bug out bag, you don't want to just pack food. You also want to pack things you can use to acquire food. For example, a fishing kit. But obviously you can't pack a rod and reel and tackle box in your bug out bag. Instead, you should pack a mini fishing kit.
There are countless ways to make a pocket fishing kit, but this one by Corporals Corner is my new favorite. In this video, he explains how to make a mini fishing kit using a bead storage tube and a bicycle inner tube. You can watch the video below, but I typed up the steps for those who prefer to read.
Plastic bead storage tube (1 inch diameter, 6 inches long)
Bicycle inner tube (1 3/8 inch diameter)
#36 bank line (or strong twine)
Fishing line of your choice
2 feet of paracord
How to Build a Pocket Fishing Kit
Step 1: Create the Rubber Sleeve
Cut your bike inner tube straight across. Slide this rubber sleeve over the bead storage tube. The rubber provides grip for the bank line that you’ll wrap later and prevents it from slipping off the smooth plastic.
Step 2: Wrap the Handle with Bank Line
Measure out about 12 feet of #36 bank line. Use a whipping knot (just like wrapping rope ends) to tightly wrap the rubber-sleeved tube. Start with a bite, wrap tightly toward the loop, then tuck the end through the loop and pull it under with pliers to secure everything in place. Burn and melt the loose ends to lock it all down.
Step 3: Add the Paracord Lanyard
To prevent the kit from slipping out of your hand (or flying into the water), add a simple lanyard:
Fold your paracord in half.
Attach it to the tube using a snake knot.
Leave enough length for your hand to fit through, and tie off with a knot.
Step 4: Add the Fishing Line
Take your fishing line and wrap it just above the bank line wrap, directly onto the rubber sleeve. Once you have the desired amount of line, cut a small section of the bike tube and slide it over the fishing line to hold it securely in place.
Why I Love This Design
Anyone can make this kit. You don't need a knife or any special skills, the kit is compact and lightweight, it's durable enough to withstand real-world use, and it doesn't take long to make. Just add some hooks, sinkers, and some bait, and you're ready to fish.
I’m sure you know by now that I love making my no-fail homemade bread and teaching people how to do the same. There is something about feeling the dough in your hands, punching the dough down, and then molding the bread into loaves.
My mom taught me how to make bread, and I can still remember the smell of baking bread in our home. I also loved watching my daughters sit on the kitchen counter or bar stools and making bread with me.
Now I get to make bread with my grandkids. Who doesn’t love watching a child mold a piece of dough into a masterpiece?
In every neighborhood where I have lived, I have taught my neighbors how to make bread if interested. I have taught people how to make bread in really nice kitchen stores (Bosch). I understand when people have no desire to learn how to make bread.
Maybe it’s because they didn’t grow up with homemade bread. Also, sometimes people tell me they “can’t” make bread. I get it. I do.
I couldn’t make bread without fresh ingredients. I promise you that if I teach you today how to make bread, you will be successful.
How To Make Bread:
These are some tips for those who need a little help learning how to make bread. I jotted them down one by one as I thought of them.
Use only fresh ingredients. Here’s the deal, if your yeast package has been sitting on your pantry shelf for a month or more rather than being kept in the freezer or frig you may need to throw it out. It will probably not work.
I keep my excess SAF yeast in the freezer, and the amount I use monthly is in my refrigerator in an airtight container. I only use SAF yeast. That may sound a little snotty, but my bread turns out 99.9% of the time. I buy Saf Instant Yeast, 1 Pound PouchMark, and bread flour to use when I make white bread, cinnamon rolls, dinner rolls, breadsticks, or croissants. I buy the bread flour in 25—or50-pound bags.
I store the flour in plastic buckets with a red Gamma lid. I buy only the white flour I can use in 9-12 months. After that, it will become rancid, and my bread will not turn out as it should.
The Gamma Seal Lid, Red . You can buy the Gamma lids at stores like Walmart for about $18.00, give or take, plus tax, of course. I purchase red Gamma lids for my wheat and flour.
I color-code all of my buckets. Blue is for sugar, yellow is for pasta, and green is for laundry products. I use other colors in the garage for fuel, like charcoal, pinecones, etc. I will talk about that another day.
Decide on the bread pan size that works for your family. I like to make one-pound loaves, but I only make bread for myself and my husband. Of course, I take a few loaves to special neighbors as well. Here is one that is similar to what I use: Fat Daddio Bread Pans
My bread dough can be frozen, but I use it within four weeks. I grease a gallon-size bag and place some of the dough I want to use later, AFTER the rising/proofing stage. Be sure to leave some room for expansion in the freezer.
When I want to use it, I put the frozen bag in the refrigerator the night before. Once I’ve pulled it from the fridge, depending on the room’s temperature, I let it thaw until about noon the next day. I then grease the pans I want to use and mold the dough into bread, rolls, breadsticks, or whatever.
Cover the Dough With Plastic Wrap or a Wet Towel
I cover the dough with greased plastic wrap or a wet towel while it rises. I remove the plastic wrap or damp towel before baking. Bake according to the directions on my recipe.
I always bake mine at 350°F = 176°C degrees. One-pound loaves will bake in about 27-30 minutes, while larger loaves will take 35-45 minutes.
Yes, you can use a thermometer, but I don’t. When first learning to bake bread, you may want to use one. The inner temperature at the bottom of the loaf after baking should be around 190 degrees.
If the bread dough has eggs, butter, and milk, the temperature should be around 205 degrees after baking at the bottom of the loaf.
Hearty/rustic bread should be baked until the temperature is 205 to 215 degrees, after baking in the bottom of the loaf. You can see there is quite a spread in temperatures.
It’s all about practicing with your oven, your recipe, and the temperature in your house. If the air conditioner blows on your dough, it will probably not rise or take forever. Here is a bread thermometer: Bread Thermometer
Freeze your bread the day you make it, except for the loaves you consume within a day. Our homemade bread has zero preservatives and will go moldy quicker than commercially made bread.
The refrigerator makes the bread go stale and dry (it dehydrates it, not in a good way). Bread is better if left on the counter in bags. I use bread bags like these: Bread Loaf Bags, Pack of 100 with Free Twist Ties. You may want a hot loaf of bread for dinner at the last minute. You can reheat it in the oven at (350°F) = (76°C) degrees for 15 minutes, wrapped in foil, serve warm with butter.
Bread Cutting Board:
It’s critical that we have a good bread cutting board. Here’s the deal: You will ruin your very good bread knife or ceramic knives if you cut or slice with them on marble, granite, or tile countertops.
I prefer a bamboo cutting board with legs like this one: BOOS Bread Cutting Board. I buy these for all my daughters when they get married. They last for years. You can sand them lightly if needed and oil them with mineral oil to keep them in great shape.
Bread Knife:
Here’s the deal: You need a really good serrated bread knife. I always say buy right the first time. I have two bread knives, so when one is getting sharpened locally, I have another ready for use.
One thing to consider is that ceramic knives cannot be sharpened, so you are better off getting an excellent metal bread knife.
Now, let’s discuss how to care for those excellent knives we have in our house. They should never be put in the dishwasher, and we do not want the blades sitting in water.
Please hand-wash and dry them quickly. If taken care of properly, they will last you for many years.
Wheat:
You will want to store your freshly ground wheat in the freezer until you can use it. I would use it within a month. Only grind what you need in that period. The whole wheat flour at your local supermarkets is typically hard red wheat, and it is not fresh because who knows how long it’s been sitting on the shelves?
I prefer to use hard white wheat, and yes, I grind it myself. If you buy whole wheat berries and grind the grain, you will pay for your wheat grinder very quickly, depending on how many loaves of bread your family eats. The real bonus is knowing what’s in the bread you make.
Hard White Wheat (the only kind I buy):
I buy mine from Costco when it goes on sale in 6-gallon buckets. The brand is Lehi Roller Mills. I also purchase hard white wheat in #10 cans. I like to store my wheat in more than one way. Please ensure wherever you buy your wheat is clean and at least triple-washed.
I called Lehi Mills and was told their wheat goes through seven cleaning processes to clean it properly. You can see why I buy Lehi Roller Mills Wheat. The Lehi Roller Mills website says, “Our Hard White Storage Wheat differs slightly in color and flavor from our Red Storage Wheat, with just a little less protein, but it remains excellent for storage.
Our Hard White Storage Wheat comes in ready-to-store buckets and lasts 30+ years in storage. We use only hand-selected wheat sourced, graded, and evaluated at our mill.
Hard Red Wheat:
I quote from Lehi Roller Mills: “Our Hard Red Storage Wheat is specially grown for Lehi Roller Mills. We’ve worked directly with seed breeders to develop this wheat to enhance its baking quality and flavor.
Lehi Roller Mills independently sources, grades, evaluates, and cleans the wheat. When stored correctly in a cool, dry place, it can last 30+ years.”
Soft White Wheat:
Soft white wheat has a shorter shelf life; therefore, I rarely buy it. It’s mainly used for pastries.
Wheat Gluten:
This product makes my whole wheat bread softer. I only use one brand: All-Natural Vital Wheat Gluten.Other Key Issues to Consider:
Bread pans cannot touch each other in the oven or the oven walls because they will not bake evenly and may even overbake your bread.
Sunshine: It must be sunny on the day I am going to make bread. Now, is this an old wives’ tale, you ask? I don’t know, but if the clouds are dark and it’s raining, my bread will not rise.
Nope, it will not. So there you have it. I only make bread on sunny days.
Grease your pans very well. After baking, tap the bottom of the pan; if it sounds hollow, the bread is done. Place the bread on a cooling rack and freeze it after it cools. As stated above, do this by placing the loaves in plastic bags.
Thumb Test
The thumb test is one way to ensure that the dough is ready to be molded into loaves. Push your thumb into the dough as it has risen in a bowl or pan. Look for the thumb imprint.
If it stays indented, the dough can be punched down and molded for baking. If the imprint bounces back, let the dough rise a little longer. I let my bread rise twice because I like fluffy bread. See the “test/proofing” discussion below for more details.
Never Let It Rise More Than 2-3 Hours
Never let the dough rise for 2-3 hours, or the bread will taste yeasty. I never put my bread dough in the refrigerator overnight because it will taste like yeast.
Bread should be sticky, but not too sticky. Adding too much flour will make the bread dry and tough. No worries. You will get the hang of it, and you really will. It may take a few tries, but the result of your cooking adventures will be well worth the time and effort!
Use A Dough Scraper
Use a dough scraper. I use this OXO Good Grips multi-purpose stainless steel scraper to cut my dough into loaves and scrape the excess dough off the counter.I learned this when I taught bread-making at a Bosch store. Wow, my mom would have loved this tool!
Wash the dough off your hands with cold water; warm or hot water will start to “cook” the dough and make it stick to your hands even more.
Some people sprinkle flour on the countertop, and I spray vegetable oil on the counter. Everyone makes bread a little differently, and that’s okay.
Test your bread dough. I’m not a scientist, but this is what I do know:
Proofing your dough means letting it rest and then rising before baking it.
Push your thumb into the dough; if it disappears, then the dough is over-proofed (not ready to bake)
Push your thumb into the dough. If it dents about halfway back out, it’s perfect (ready to bake)
Push your thumb into the dough; If it stays pushed in, the dough is over-proofed (oops! It’s still suitable for fried bread)
You will learn this proofing technique through trial and error. Trust me, we have all had some loaves that did not bake exactly right. It’s okay; it still tastes fabulous!
Practice, practice, practice, and never give up. I promise you will make the perfect loaf of bread for your family.
Final Word
These are all the recipes I have made for years, and they are no-fail recipes! Each post shows you how to make the bread of your choice, whether it be whole wheat bread, white bread, cinnamon rolls, dinner rolls, or French bread.
I even have a YouTube video that shows you HOW I make bread, from start to finish. May God bless you in your efforts to get back to basics by making bread. May God bless this world, Linda
I start with a Bosch Mixer although you could make this in a bowl. I put the yeast, warm water, salt, oil, and sugar in the bowl.
I then add the eggs and lightly mix them in the Bosch so the eggs do not “cook”. Then I add the warm milk and flour slowly.
I continue to add flour until the bread dough pulls away from the sides of the Bosch bowl.
I knead for about 7-8 minutes.
I place the dough in a greased bowl and cover with plastic wrap.
I let the dough rise until it is double in size.
I punch down the dough then cut the dough into seven pieces, mold them, and place these in greased pans.
I let it rise once again (using the same plastic wrap) until it doubles and then I bake them at (350°F) = (176°C) degrees for 27 minutes. I lightly butter the tops of each loaf after baking while cooling on wire racks.
I store the loaves in bags and freeze the other loaves we will not eat in 3-4 days. Remember this bread has zero preservatives so it will go bad within 3-4 days.
Start adding the ingredients in the order shown above with one exception into your mixing bowl…start with 2 cups of flour and slowly add more flour until the dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl. I use a Bosch Mixer.
I grew up making bread without a mixer. It can be done by hand. I grew up letting my bread rise twice so I still do that. Old habits are hard to break!
I mix it for 10 minutes in my Bosch. Cover with greased plastic wrap until it doubles in size.
Punch down and form dough into two one-pound loaves. I let the dough rise one more time with greased plastic wrap.
Remove the plastic wrap Bake the bread at (350°F) = (76°C) degrees for 27-30 minutes. If your pans are larger you will bake your bread longer. You will love making whole-wheat bread, I promise!!
Final Word
These are all the recipes I have made for years, and they are no-fail recipes! Each post shows you how to make the homemade bread of your choice, whether it be whole wheat bread, white bread, cinnamon rolls, dinner rolls, or French bread.
I even have a YouTube video that shows you HOW I make bread, from start to finish. May God bless this world, Linda.
If there’s one subject which will cause debate amongst preppers, it’s firearms. Everyone seems to have their own opinion about what they need to have, in order to defend themselves. Then there are those amongst us who aren’t thinking firearms at all.
When the world seems to turn upside down, having a secure backup plan is not just smart—it’s crucial for survival. Looters, desperate neighbors, and even authorities can quickly become a threat to your hard-earned supplies post-SHTF. One of the best ways to keep your essentials safe is to bury them in strategic, discreet locations. This […]
If you’ve recently learned about prepping and its advantages, you might want to learn some basics to start prepping at home with your family. Preparing for potential emergencies like natural disasters is essential, and a war would be another reason.
You never know what can happen, whether it’s floods, tornadoes, earthquakes, wildfires, or hurricanes. Stocking up on essentials can help you be ready for most challenges. Check out these ten simple ideas on beginning prepping and becoming more self-reliant, which are easier than you might think!
I’m updating this post because I realize I have new followers who may need help. Please feel free to share anything on my website if you teach emergency preparedness classes, want to inform neighbors, or get extended family members involved. We all started small and added the needed items as our budget allowed.
10 Simple Ideas on Beginning Prepping
1. Start Collecting Non-Perishable Foods
As a prepper, it’s always a good idea to start collecting non-perishable foods at home. These foods included canned meats, tuna, peanut butter containers, protein bars, and more. You don’t need to run out and buy the first non-perishable foods you can find. Instead, try to catch these items while they’re on sale. Right now, many stores are holding clearance sales of canned goods. It’s a great way to get started.
If you grab them on sale, you’ll save money and add them to your stockpile simultaneously. Don’t waste money on food you know your loved ones won’t eat, even in an emergency! This may be one of those simple ideas on beginning prepping, but it’s important because you don’t want food to go to waste. During a disaster, you and your family still need good nutrition as a means to stay healthy and alert
2. Store Plenty of Water For Everyone in the Household
Storing water is a must. You’ll need it to stay hydrated, but it can also come in handy for boiling pasta, rice, and other ingredients you can eat in an emergency. If you store water, you need to do it the right way.
Don’t place it in old milk jugs. While it may seem like a good idea, it’s not because those jugs can easily break over time, causing the water to leak and get everywhere.
It’s best to store your water in quality containers with lids to keep it free of dirt and debris. I have a few ideas I want to show you. Some of you know about these, I’m sure. But for those who are getting started and may not be familiar with various products, I want you to have some options to choose from. I store water in many ways; that’s what we need to do.
Please keep your water safe by storing it on two by 4’s to keep it off the ground or concrete. You don’t want chemicals to leach into the water container(s).
Blue Cans
You may want to look at these Blue Cans. They are truly my favorite long-term water storage containers. They are good up to 145 degrees outside, but depending on where you live, they could freeze. Brownells sold out of them, so we can no longer get them there.
They taste better right out of the can than any stored water I have. These don’t need the product Water Preserver, which you add to your stored water so it doesn’t go bad for up to five years. The Blue Cans have a 50-year shelf life and are the best ever.
Yes, they may be a little pricey, but price isn’t an issue when you need water to survive. I want you to know how much I love this product. Please google for places where they are available to purchase closest to your area.
WaterBricks
I love WaterBricks, I have several of the 3.5-gallon ones and a few of the 1.6-gallon size. The larger units are more practical because you can carry one in each hand to balance them. They each weigh about 27 pounds if filled with water.
I used to have a guest room with 16 of the larger ones under a queen bed, so I had 56 gallons under that bed. No one knew they were there. WaterBricks are really handy because they’re designed to be stacked. You can see the ridges and grooves for stacking purposes in the picture below.
55-Gallon Barrels
I have four 55-gallon barrels on the side of my house. They are from my early days of prepping. They are inexpensive and need a pump to get the water out. When I lived in the desert, I covered them with UV water barrel covers to protect the plastic.
55-gallon UV Water Barrel Covers. I have only replaced them once in 15 years. This water may best be used for hygiene purposes but could also be used for cooking and drinking if needed. As a precaution, you may want to use a quality water filter to properly filter the water or even boil it if you’re nervous before you consume it in food or as drinking water. As mentioned above, I use Water Preserver in these, so I only have to change the water every five years.
As a note, many government agencies suggest one gallon of water per day per person in your family. I have always to my readers a more realistic number is four gallons per person per day. That should cover needed hydration, provide water for cooking, give you some to do limited laundry if required, and also for some sanitation and personal hygiene, even if it’s just a sponge bath. And don’t forget some water for your pets.
Some people use unscented bleach or water purification tablets to treat their water. Other than Water Preserver, I like products from Big Berkey and PortaWell.
3. Build a Garden in the Backyard
Focus on building your garden in the backyard. If you’re growing different fruits, vegetables, and herbs, you can access fresh food in an emergency. You can start small, especially if you have little gardening experience or growing space.
If you’re unsure what to grow, think of the vegetables and fruits you eat and add to recipes more often than anything else. Those are the best fruits and vegetables to grow if they work in your location.
Consider planting lettuce, potatoes, tomatoes, berries, and other produce you can use in an emergency. These pictures show some of the items we typically have growing in our garden a few years ago.
I update an annual post every month, outlining what you can plant in that particular month based on your growing “zone.”
4. Use Coupons to Get Must-Have Prepping Items
When you know that you need specific items while prepping, such as mason jars with lids for canning and storing food or flashlights to help you out when the power goes out, make a list of those items. Then, start looking through sales flyers or newspaper ads to see which stores are offering the items you want and need at discounted prices. The goal is to find what you need at a discounted price to save more money.
You don’t need to rush out and spend all your money in a day to get the prepping essentials. Take your time and collect what you can based on family size, budget, and storage space. This tip is essential when it comes to simple ideas for beginning prepping.
5. Get a Storage System Set Up in a Convenient Spot
Invest in a sound storage system that you can place in a convenient spot, such as the basement. It’s out of sight and out of the way, but you can use it to hold some of the most critical items, including bottled water and canned foods.
It would help to have a safe place to put your things to prevent them from getting damaged. You can buy sturdy, reliable, and spacious plastic or metal shelving units. We keep our storage food on metal shelves from Costco. I really like them because they are sturdy and have wheels so I can move them. They almost fill one small bedroom in our home.
The prepping gear that isn’t affected by temperature changes, like our 72-hour kits (bug-out bags), Sun Ovens, Dutch ovens, cooking fuel sources like charcoal, etc., are on the same kind of shelves but located in our garage. UPDATE: (now our 72-Hour Bags are in our home).
6. Buy Batteries While They’re on Sale
If you’re going to start prepping, you’ll need to have plenty of batteries. If you don’t have a power source, batteries are a must-have because you can put them in flashlights to see where you’re going and what you’re doing. Try to buy batteries when they’re on sale.
Batteries can be found at many different stores, including your local home goods store and grocery store, but it’s best to get them when they’re available at a discounted price. While the brand doesn’t necessarily matter, you might want to choose a brand known for its reliability. I love the Members Mark batteries from Sam’s Club. Thank you, Harry for the tip on Sam’s Club.
Please invest in some solar items as well. Many new devices use a portable solar panel to run or charge their batteries. Solar Lanterns or Solar Flashlights: Make sure you rotate batteries as needed. There is nothing worse than grabbing some in an emergency only to find your stored batteries are depleted.
Please consider getting a hand-crank radio for your home or evacuation shelter. This way, you can stay informed and not have to carry too many batteries in your inventory for needed communication in a disaster. It is a great addition to your family’s emergency kits.
7. Put Multiple First-Aid Kits Together
Work on putting multiple first-aid kits together using quality first-aid supplies. If you have several people living in the household, having a first-aid kit for each person is best. Over time, you can collect different items for the kits, such as rubbing alcohol, bandages in assorted sizes, gauze pads, ointments, allergy medication, and other helpful first-aid products.
Some families have members with special health needs who require medical supplies others don’t use. Consider their needs as you gather supplies for short—and long-term storage.
It’s always good to have these items in case someone gets injured or is in pain. In case you missed this post, First Aid: What You Need To Survive
Try to buy the best cookware for emergencies. You can find portable grills, emergency stoves, pie irons, and other products that you can use to prepare meals without a traditional power source. You might also want to invest in wood for fires in emergencies. If you have a garage, you can store the wood there until you’re ready to use it. Pie Irons for Cooking
Please invest in cast-iron pans and a 6-quart cast-iron Dutch Oven. You can survive with a cast-iron Dutch oven if you have charcoal and some matches stored, or have fire starters of some kind.
You’ll also need dishes to serve the food you prepare. I always have paper plates and other disposable products available.
9. Work on Eliminating Your Debt
Try to get out of debt. Being prepared isn’t just about having water, food, and a first-aid kit; it’s also about getting your finances in order so you can still meet your financial obligations when you are out of work or if your home or car is damaged.
You can start with your smallest debt and work up to the most significant debt to get everything paid off within a reasonable amount of time. Once you’ve eliminated most or all of your debt, you’ll feel better prepared for the future. You can also start saving some extra cash in a safe at home to become more financially secure.
10. Learn How to Start Canning
Don’t forget to learn how to start canning different foods at home. It can save you money in the long run when you’re trying to build your stockpile of foods your family will eat. Learn about different canning methods, such as pressure canning.
You can get the supplies needed and get started by canning some of your favorite foods, including vegetables, jams, fruits, and meats. Please invest in one of these canning books: USDA Canning Guide or The Ball Canning/Preserving Book.
Final Word
These helpful ideas are worth considering if you’re just getting started with prepping. As you start putting together a survival kit, you don’t need to rush out and spend your last dollar on essential prepping items. Consider making a checklist of what you need, taking your time, and getting items while they’re on sale to save more money.
You can focus on slowly, but steadily, building your stockpile until you feel comfortable with what you have at home. What are some simple ideas for beginning prepping you’d like to share? May God bless this world, Linda.
This is hands-down one of the most clever DIY chicken feeders I've ever seen. The genius of this feeder is that it's fairly easy to make and it holds so much chicken feed, it will last a month before you have to feed your chickens again. Plus, it has virtually zero waste and no pest problems.
It's called a candy cane chicken feeder, and I found it in this video from the Youtube channel, Nature's Always Right. This feeder is easy to build with common PVC parts, keeps feed dry and secure, and prevents chickens from spilling or scattering the grain. And as long as you seal it properly, it will protect the feed from rain and mold.
You can watch the video below to see how to make it, but I typed up the instructions for those who prefer to read.
4″ diameter drainage pipe (length as needed, usually ~3 ft)
45-degree PVC elbow (4″ diameter)
90-degree PVC elbow (4″ diameter)
Downspout adapter (NDS 2″ x 3″ rectangular type)
Hanger straps for securing pipe (optional)
PVC glue
Gloves (for safety when handling PVC glue)
Soap, water, and vinegar (for cleaning before assembly)
Note: One feeder typically supports 4 chickens. Calculate how many feeders you need based on your flock size and feed volume.
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Pre-Assemble
Dry-fit all your pieces together first. Connect the 90-degree elbow to the top of your vertical pipe. Then attach the 45-degree elbow, and finally, connect the downspout adapter at the feeding end.
The “candy cane” shape allows gravity to keep feed moving toward the opening, making it accessible for the chickens.
2. Prepare the Feeding Port
Be sure to use a rectangular downspout adapter. This minimizes feed spillage since chickens can’t pull feed out easily.
Face the downspout opening slightly upwards to further reduce spillage.
3. Clean and Prep for Sealing
Wash all PVC pieces with soapy water and vinegar. Allow everything to dry completely. This ensures the PVC glue bonds well.
4. Glue all Joints
Wear gloves when using PVC glue. Apply the glue to all connecting surfaces and assemble the feeder.
This watertight seal prevents moisture from entering and molding the feed.
5. Mount your Feeders
You can secure the feeders under your coop or along a wall using hanger straps for extra stability.
6. Add a Platform (optional)
Build a small platform under the feeding ports so the chickens can comfortably reach the food.
Feed Capacity
A 3-foot 4” pipe holds roughly 452 cubic inches of feed.
50 lbs of feed is around 2165 cubic inches, so you’ll need about five 3-ft tall feeders to store that much.
Adjust the height and number of feeders depending on your storage goals and flock size.
With this system, you’ll have a reliable automatic feeder that lets you leave your chickens for weeks without worrying about daily refills or wasted feed.
Let’s get one thing straight — the moment law and order crumbles, no one is coming to protect you. Not the cops. Not the military. Not FEMA. In fact, those might be the very people you’ll need to protect yourself from. And when that day comes — whether it’s a blackout, economic collapse, martial law, […]
It was 2:37 AM when the earthquake hit. Power lines snapped like twigs, plunging the city into darkness. Within minutes, the streets became parking lots – honking cars, screaming people, and absolute gridlock. But in a quiet garage across town, one prepared survivor was already moving. With a twist of the throttle, his battery-powered bug-out ... Read more...
Despite what the headlines want you to focus on… celebrity scandals, political drama, faraway international conflicts … there’s a far greater threat quietly building beneath the surface. As the world looks the other way, this crisis is creeping closer every day… It’s not being debated in Congress. The media won’t report on it. But make […]
Most everyone has some degree of medical concerns. Some aren’t so serious, some are gradually progressing and others are serious or could become critical at some point. It’s often with our best intentions that we think we might do something about it someday. But then again, how often do we continue to delay any decisions until it’s an emergency.
The list of conditions that some of us simply deal with include near-sightedness, gradual hearing loss, issues related to blood-pressure, and even the beginnings of cardiovascular afflictions and more. None of them appear to be life-threatening in the short-term and most seem more of an inconvenience than a threat.
Why the Delay?
In some instances it’s fear. Every medical procedure and pharmaceutical has side-effects and risks. As people balance the risks versus the benefits it’s often easy to take a wait and see approach with the intent that it will be taken care of later.
The pandemic was another factor that caused many people to delay treatment even when they actively pursued it. In some instances non-critical treatments were simply unavailable, and many people were concerned about spending any amount of time in a contagious “hot-zone” like a doctor’s office or hospital.
In other cases the condition was not deemed as serious or something requiring immediate attention just yet. In this instance it wasn’t so much a delay as much as it was a waiting period to see if the condition improved or at least stabilized.
But there is one threat looming that could make even the simplest condition a daily challenge: the collapse of society and all of the support functions surrounding it.
The End of Modern Medicine
If you look at any society that has suffered a collapse for any reason, one of the first services to fade away is modern medicine. Much like we saw at the height of the COVID pandemic, hospitals rapidly become overwhelmed and even the most basic medical needs are compromised or simply unavailable.
As any collapse proceeds the conditions only get worse. It’s at times like these that we would begin to wonder why we never did anything about that irregular heartbeat, didn’t get that cracked tooth taken care of, and lament not getting Lasik surgery after we’ve lost our last pair of glasses.
What’s apparent is that the simple medical procedures, treatments, and particularly more complex surgical solutions are no longer available. Even beyond more robust treatments like surgeries, we can’t even find a reliable pair of hearing aids let alone glasses that match our vision prescription; nor the medicines that have become critical for managing our daily health.
Decisions to Seriously Consider
The best way to approach this is to stop and think about what medical conditions or concerns you may have, or that your family history indicates as a potential, future concern. Once you’ve determined the possibilities stop and think, how would you function if you could never find anyone or anything to cure or correct that condition?
It’s at that point that our decisions become more in focus and some of us may determine to take actions now. Here are some of the most common chronic or worsening medical conditions that can be corrected or at least managed with various procedures and/or treatments.
Vision
Our eyes represent one of our most critical senses. Any injury or condition that affects our vision affects the way we do everything. Even something as simple as a poked eye makes us stop in our tracks in a frantic attempt to treat it. But then, some eye conditions are gradual if not expected but still can limit our abilities and lifestyle.
Nearsightedness
66 % of the world’s population wears glasses with 75% having vision correction problems. That’s 4 billion pairs of glasses and contact lenses worn by people every year. Now, take those away or at least start to lose most of them. The result is 4 billion people with significant vision issues.
But there is a decision that could correct all of that for many. It’s called Lasik surgery and it permanently corrects nearsightedness..
It’s one of those decisions that’s easy to make and most people not only return home on the day of the procedure, but many actually return to work. If you are a candidate for Lasik and you are delaying the procedure you may want to reconsider.
There’s a medical procedure that can correct most cataracts but even some eye doctors will wait until the cataracts directly affect vision. Waiting for anything might not be a good idea if you’re worried about a potential collapse of everything around you.
If you have been diagnosed with cataracts it’s not too difficult to request that you have a procedure even in the early stages. Cataracts don’t improve and just your statement of concern should be enough to motivate most doctors to act.
Other eye conditions like macular degeneration can’t be cured with surgery or treatments but doctors will often recommend lifestyle changes to at least delay and manage the condition. Those lifestyle changes affect many health conditions so now may be a good time to rethink diet and exercise.
Dermatological Conditions
Most of us don’t see a dermatologist unless we have a specific problem or concern with a skin condition. What’s worth considering is that most serious skin conditions are either unnoticeable or don’t present sufficient pain or concern to motivate treatment. Melanomas occur frequently and it’s not always an obvious change to a mole or tag on the body. Sometimes it’s a small, discolored spot or bump.
Even then, moles that have changed in some way are rarely apparent to someone when it occurs on their back or other part of the body rarely seen.
The decision to have a routine full body check up at a dermatologist is not expensive and not invasive and worth the time. Even if it’s just to give yourself some peace of mind for the day when that dermatologist may not be available.
Gastro-Intestinal Conditions
Some of us take simple things like constipation for granted or dismiss the annoyance of the occasional hemorrhoid. Unfortunately, gastro-intestinal conditions and symptoms are common but can indicate severe disease. A routine colonoscopy is not only recommended every 10 years but the easiest way to ensure you don’t have one of the serious gastro-intestinal issues.
The doctor may also be able to perform a quick procedure to remove polyps from the intestine or a hemorrhoid pre-empting any future problems or threats.
A colonoscopy is an out-patient procedure but it usually requires that someone drive you to and from the test. It’s a routine test and if you’ve never had one it’s definitely worth considering. Regardless, don’t ignore gastro-intestinal distress. Find out the root cause and get it treated while you can.
There are some procedures that can correct hearing loss to varying degrees but many times the prescribed treatment is the use of hearing aids. But what happens in a time when even something as basic as hearing aids aren’t available?
One solution is to simply invest in a pair or more of rechargeable hearing aids. Most can be adjusted to suit an individual’s degree of hearing loss. At a time without power a solar power bank can recharge them.
Dental Conditions
If you’ve ever seen the move Castaway with Tom Hanks, you’re familiar with the challenges of an untreated dental condition. In the movie a man is stranded on a desert island after a plane crash, and earlier in the film complains about a toothache he ignored. It’s a dramatic demonstration of what can happen when no medical professionals are available as he knocks out the tooth on the island with the blade of an ice skate.
If you have gone too long without a routine dental checkup it’s worth doing. Dental conditions are another medical area that can present severe problems and even life-threatening infections without apparent symptoms. See a dentist now in case you never can.
Cardiovascular Conditions
It would seem that anyone with a heart or vascular condition would already be under the care of a doctor and treating the problem. But here again, some cardiovascular conditions are not apparent or in some instances, dismissed or ignored by the patient.
There are routine heart tests like an EKG, echo-cardiogram and blood tests that can assess many cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, there are common symptoms that indicate the need for some level of treatment now and in the future.
They include:
High Blood Pressure
There are many causes for high blood pressure from diet to activity levels, kidney conditions, hardening of the arteries, smoking and the list goes on. Lifestyle changes and prescription medications are the usual treatments, but the time to determine and deal with the root cause may be best done sooner than later. We’ll get into natural solutions for prescription medicines later.
Heart Palpitations
Heart palpitations are feelings of having a fast-beating, fluttering or pounding heart. Stress, exercise, medication or, rarely, a medical condition can trigger them.
Although heart palpitations can be worrisome, they're usually harmless. Rarely, heart palpitations can be a symptom of a more serious heart condition, such as an irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia) that might require treatment. Don’t make assumptions. Now’s the time to determine the cause and if any treatment is required.
Irregular Heartbeat (Arrhythmia)
Heart arrhythmias may feel like a fluttering or racing heart and may be harmless. However, some heart arrhythmias may cause bothersome — sometimes even life-threatening — signs and symptoms.
However, sometimes it's normal for a person to have a fast or slow heart rate. For example, the heart rate may increase with exercise or slow down during sleep.
Heart arrhythmia treatment may include medications, catheter procedures, implanted devices or surgery to control or eliminate fast, slow or irregular heartbeats. A heart-healthy lifestyle can help prevent heart damage that can trigger certain heart arrhythmias. Find out now if you have any of these symptoms and engage in the appropriate treatment.
And the List Goes On…
There are a wide range of cardiovascular conditions. Unfortunately, few of them simply go away or improve with time. If you have any suspicion that you have a cardiovascular condition the best course of action is to see a doctor and preferably a cardiologist and have the necessary tests to determine treatments.
Some short-term solutions are to attempt to stockpile through 90-day prescriptions or larger prescription amounts sometimes available through Canadian pharmacies. The most critical thing may be to look at how a combination of life-style changes and natural alternatives may be able to support a condition in a world without medicines.
A big question whenever we pursue non-emergency treatment for a medical condition is whether or not our (or any) insurance will cover the costs. Typically, any medical treatment or surgery that we schedule is called an “elective” procedure. This means we chose or “elected” to have the treatment or surgery performed.
It comes as a surprise to some that even elective procedures are often covered by insurance. But then again, some insurance coverage will deny payment for the treatment. An elective procedure is essentially any treatment that is not an emergency. If we have a firm diagnosis for a condition, electing to have it treated should be covered by any legitimate insurance plan, but that’s not always the case.
Before “electing” to have a treatment, surgery or procedure, check with your medical insurance company. They may require substantiation from a doctor but it’s worth the time and effort to ensure coverage.
Medical Procrastination is Common
If you’ve put off or delayed a medical procedure or treatment you’re not alone. Nearly 40% of Americans delayed treatment in 2022 due to costs. Some were still concerned about the threat of COVID. It’s also true that some people are rightfully fearful of the risks of any surgical procedure or the side-effects of some pharmaceuticals or treatments.
What’s important is to assess the overall risk. If you’re concerned about a medical procedure, give yourself the time to assess the implications. Then again, stop and think about that time when any medical treatment may not be available. It’s a balancing act for any decision but that’s the mindset of a prepper, and it’s just another survival decision we all have to confront.
Mark, and 
. You can buy the Gamma lids at stores like Walmart for about $18.00, give or take, plus tax, of course. I purchase red Gamma lids for my wheat and flour.
I learned this when I taught bread-making at a Bosch store. Wow, my mom would have loved this tool!
