by CJ Steedman
🎙️ Ditch the Store Life’s too short for store-bought eggs. Tired of soaring prices and supermarket nonsense? This podcast is your cheeky, no-nonsense guide to growing food, raising animals, making homemade goods, and living frugally—whether you’re in the suburbs or on a small farm. New episodes weekly + a new Ditch the Store book every two months to help you break free, one step at a time. Let’s grow it, make it, raise it—and ditch the store.
Language
🇺🇲
Publishing Since
2/26/2023
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July 1, 2026
<p>Bird flu has officially arrived in Australia, and if you keep backyard chickens, you've probably seen plenty of headlines, social media posts, and opinions flying around.</p><p>But what does it actually mean for your flock?</p><p>Should you be worried? </p><p>Do you need to lock your chickens up? </p><p>What practical steps can you take to protect your birds without falling into panic mode?</p><p>In this episode of Ditch the Store, CJ separates fact from fiction and explains what backyard chicken keepers need to know about avian influenza, how it spreads, the signs to watch for, and the simple biosecurity measures that can help keep your flock safe. Based on the episode transcript.</p><p><br /></p><p><strong>In This Episode</strong></p><p>🐔 What bird flu (avian influenza) actually is</p><p>🐔 What's happening in Australia right now</p><p>🐔 How bird flu spreads between birds</p><p>🐔 Why backyard chicken keepers should pay attention</p><p>🐔 Practical biosecurity measures you can implement today</p><p>🐔 Signs and symptoms to watch for in your flock</p><p>🐔 Whether free-range chickens are at greater risk</p><p>🐔 Could bird flu affect egg supplies and prices?</p><p>🐔 How to stay informed without falling into fear and misinformation</p><p><br /></p><p><strong>Key Takeaways</strong></p><p>✅ Don't panic</p><p>✅ Focus on practical biosecurity</p><p>✅ Secure feed and water sources</p><p>✅ Limit contact with wild birds where possible</p><p>✅ Monitor your flock daily</p><p>✅ Stay informed through official sources</p><p>✅ Preparation is more useful than fear</p><p><br /></p><p><strong>Resources Mentioned</strong></p><p>📧 Mojo Homestead Website</p><p>http://www.mojohomestead.net</p><p>🇦🇺 Official Australian Bird Flu Updates</p><p>https://www.agriculture.gov.au/biosecurity-trade/pests-diseases-weeds/animal/avian-influenza</p><p><br /></p><p><strong>Next Week</strong></p><p>From Shell to Shelf: How to Store, Preserve & Use More Eggs</p><p><br /></p><p><strong>Enjoying the Podcast?</strong></p><p>If you're enjoying Ditch the Store, please consider leaving a review on your favourite podcast platform.</p><p>⭐ Reviews help more people discover the show.</p><p>⭐ Five-star reviews may earn you a shout-out in a future episode.</p><p><br /></p><p>🎧 Subscribe for weekly episodes on:</p><p>Backyard chickens</p><p>Homesteading</p><p>Food security</p><p>Gardening</p><p>Food preservation</p><p>Self-sufficiency</p><p>Traditional skills</p><p>Ditching the supermarket one skill at a time</p><p>#DitchTheStore #BirdFluAustralia #BackyardChickens #ChickenKeeping #Homesteading #FoodSecurity #AvianInfluenza #AustralianHomesteading #SelfSufficiency #MojoHomestead</p><p><br /></p>
June 24, 2026
<p>Winter has settled in. The garden has slowed down, the chickens are taking their annual leave, and the shortest day of the year is almost here.</p><p>But what if this wasn't something to endure?</p><p>What if it was something to celebrate?</p><p>In this episode of Ditch the Store, CJ explores the history of Yule, the ancient midwinter festival that celebrated the longest night of the year and the return of the light. We look at how many familiar Christmas traditions have roots in older seasonal celebrations and why Yule still makes perfect sense for modern homesteaders.</p><p>Whether you're interested in history, seasonal living, family traditions, or simply finding a meaningful way to mark the winter solstice, this episode is packed with practical ideas you can use on your own homestead.</p><p>❄️ What Yule is and why it was celebrated</p><p>🔥 The connection between Yule, winter solstice, and Christmas traditions</p><p>🌲 The history behind Yule logs, evergreen decorations, candles, and midwinter feasts</p><p>🐔 Why seasonal living still matters for modern homesteaders</p><p>📝 Questions to reflect on as you review your homestead year</p><p>🍲 Simple and affordable Yule traditions you can start with your family</p><p>🌱 How winter planning can set you up for success in spring</p><ul><li>Light candles to celebrate the return of longer days</li><li>Share a meal made from homegrown or preserved food</li><li>Gather around a fire pit or fireplace</li><li>Create decorations from natural materials</li><li>Reflect on what worked (and didn't work) on your homestead this year</li><li>Set goals for the coming growing season</li><li>Practice gratitude for the lessons, harvests, and experiences of the past year</li></ul><p>Winter may feel slow, but it isn't standing still.</p><p>Every day after the winter solstice brings a little more light, a little more warmth, and one step closer to spring.</p><p><strong>Mentioned in this Episode</strong></p><p>🌿 Join the Mojo Homestead mailing list:<br><a href="http://www.mojohomestead.net">www.mojohomestead.net</a></p><p>🌿 Follow Mojo Homestead for more homesteading tips, seasonal living inspiration, and practical self-sufficiency advice.</p><p>🥬 Fermentation 101 – Learn the basics of fermenting food, improving gut health, preserving harvests, and adding natural probiotics to your pantry.</p><p>🎧 Subscribe to Ditch the Store for weekly episodes on homesteading, food security, backyard chickens, gardening, livestock, self-sufficiency, and creating a more resilient lifestyle.</p><p>#DitchTheStore #Yule #WinterSolstice #Homesteading #SeasonalLiving #SelfSufficiency #ChristmasInJuly #MojoHomestead #BackyardHomestead #SimpleLiving #HomesteadLife #AustralianHomesteading</p>
June 17, 2026
<p>Have your hens suddenly stopped laying eggs? Before you panic and start questioning your chicken-keeping skills, take a breath.</p><p>If it's winter, there's a good chance your girls haven't quit their jobs—they've simply gone on annual leave.</p><p>In this episode of Ditch the Store, CJ explains why egg production drops (or stops completely) during winter, what a molt actually is, how daylight affects laying, and the practical steps you can take to help your flock through the season.</p><p>You'll learn:</p><p>🐔 Why shorter days—not cold weather—are usually responsible for reduced egg production</p><p>🐔 What happens during a molt and why hens need this natural rest period</p><p>🐔 How to tell the difference between a molting hen and a sick hen</p><p>🐔 The best high-protein foods to support feather regrowth</p><p>🐔 Common mistakes that can make a molt last longer</p><p>🐔 Whether artificial lighting is worth using in a backyard flock</p><p>🐔 What to expect as spring approaches and egg production returns</p><p>If you've opened the nesting box lately and found nothing but disappointment, this episode is for you.</p><p>✅ Join the Mojo Homestead mailing list: <a href="http://www.mojohomestead.net">www.mojohomestead.net</a></p><p>✅ Upcoming book: Eggs Without Cartons – the complete guide to raising chickens for fresh backyard eggs</p><p>✅ Current book: Ditch the Store: From Brooder to Plate</p><p>Remember: winter doesn't last forever, and neither does a molt. Feed them well, keep them healthy, and the eggs will return.</p><p>🎧 Subscribe to Ditch the Store for practical homesteading advice on chickens, gardening, self-sufficiency, food security, and living a more independent life.</p><p>#DitchTheStore #BackyardChickens #ChickenKeeping #EggProduction #MoltingChickens #HomesteadingAustralia #SelfSufficiency #FarmLife #MojoHomestead #RaiseYourOwnFood</p><p>Mentioned in this episode:</p><p>Brooder to Plate - USA and Kindle <a href="https://amzn.to/44yQr2L"><u>https://amzn.to/44yQr2L</u></a></p><p>Brooder to Plate - Aussie version <a href="https://amzn.to/4eTcGnw"><u>https://amzn.to/4eTcGnw</u></a></p><p>✅ Join the Mojo Homestead mailing list: www.mojohomestead.net✅ Upcoming book: Eggs Without Cartons – the complete guide to raising chickens for fresh backyard eggs✅ Current book: Ditch the Store: From Brooder to PlateBrooder to Plate - USA and Kindle <a href="https://amzn.to/44yQr2L"><u>https://amzn.to/44yQr2L</u></a></p><p>Brooder to Plate - Aussie version <a href="https://amzn.to/4eTcGnw"><u>https://amzn.to/4eTcGnw</u></a>Remember: winter doesn't last forever, and neither does a molt. Feed them well, keep them healthy, and the eggs will return.🎧 Subscribe to Ditch the Store for practical homesteading advice on chickens, gardening, self-sufficiency, food security, and living a more independent life.#DitchTheStore #BackyardChickens #ChickenKeeping #EggProduction #MoltingChickens #HomesteadingAustralia #SelfSufficiency #FarmLife #MojoHomestead #RaiseYourOwnFood<br></p>
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🎙️ Ditch the Store Life’s too short for store-bought eggs.
Tired of soaring prices and supermarket nonsense? This podcast is your cheeky, no-nonsense guide to growing food, raising animals, making homemade goods, and living frugally—whether you’re in the suburbs or on a small farm.
New episodes weekly + a new Ditch the Store book every two months to help you break free, one step at a time.
Let’s grow it, make it, raise it—and ditch the store.
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