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Archives for February 2015

4 Ways That Keeping Backyard Chickens has Changed My Life

February 23, 2015 @ 21:31 By Gavin Webber 13 Comments

You read correctly dear readers.  Keeping backyard chickens has changed my life.  And for the better I may add.  There are probably more than four ways but these are the most important changes I think made the most impact to our lives.

They converted me into an early bird

Cluckingham Palace

Cluckingham Palace

That’s right.  Even on weekends when I have nothing else going on, I am up at 6.30am to feed the chooks.  Come rain or shine or dark of morn, I am out there filling up their water bowls, and feeders.  And you know what?  I do it with a smile on my face, because my feathered girls are always happy to see me.  In fact, besides Holly who wakes me up if I dare try to sleep past 6.30am (The chooks need feeding Dad!), they are the first beings that I talk to each morning.  Most of the time they talk back.

Yes, I talk to them.  I just wish I sometimes that I could talk chicken.  What an interesting conversation we would have.

Oh, and I don’t go back to bed.  Once I have fed the girls, I get stuck into the rest of my jobs around the garden if it is a weekend.  If a weekday, I trundle off to work.  It is a great way to start the day.

I became more aware of Animal welfare issues

Bunty the wonder chook.  Still laying eggs after 6 years

Bunty the wonder chook. Still laying eggs after 6 years

Raising your own chooks opens your eyes to the welfare of other farm animals that probably don’t have it half as good as my girls in Cluckingham Palace.  Caged hens that provide the majority of Australia’s egg supply live in a space as small as an iPad, along with 3 to 4 other hens sharing the same cage.  After 18 months of laying, they are culled, usually turned into pet food.  It isn’t right.

I have hens that are over six years old, and still laying at least 1 egg a week.  I am quite happy running a home for the aged feathered lady.

Same goes for pigs, cows, and any other animal we abuse for food.  Just because we eat them, no animal should undergo a torturous life in cramped conditions, just so that we can have cheap food.

We eat more wholesome food.

Backyard Chicken Eggs

Incredibly variable egg sizes.

Our girls provide us with wholesome eggs, and with seven hens we usually get about 3-4 eggs a day.  Remembering that all of my chooks are now at least past commercial laying age, I count my lucky stars each time I empty the nesting box.

Of course, having chooks means that we have an abundance of eggs, and between the 3 of us at home, and Megan and Amy who live locally, plus the two dogs, we manage to eat them all and rarely give them away or sell eggs.

I look forward to my cooked breakfast once a week on Sunday morning, that consists of free-range organic bacon, fresh eggs from the girls, homegrown tomatoes, and homemade bread!  Best breakfast ever.  We have even been known to skip the bacon and just eat eggs and organic baked beans on toast.  The flavour of the eggs are just amazing.  Far tastier than shop bought eggs.  Wholesome eggs deserve wholesome accompaniments!

We also now buy as much organic fare as possible, and I try to grow as much fruit and vegetable that we can here in our own backyard.  We didn’t really give much thought to where our food came from before backyard chooks.

We eat less meat, and when we do eat it, we choose free-range organic/biodynamic.

Because we have our own chooks, and the animal welfare awareness I mentioned at point two, we want to ensure that any animal we eat only had one bad day in their entire life.  That bad day is obviously the one where they are dispatched.

We decided not long after we got our chooks that we would cut back on meat consumption, now down to two days a week, and any meat we bought would be free-range, organic or biodynamic raised.  If we could, we try to source it locally, but our criteria makes that quite difficult to achieve.  We rarely eat beef or pork, relying mainly and ironically on chicken.  We also eat sustainably sourced seafood.

Some of our Backyard Chickens

Some of our Backyard Chickens

Before we kept backyard chickens we ate meat every single day.  Not bad for a couple of die-hard omnivores.

So there you have it, that is why keeping backyard chickens has changed my life.  How has backyard chickens changed yours?

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Filed Under: Chickens, Sustainable Living

Renovation on a Shoestring

February 19, 2015 @ 22:15 By Gavin Webber 11 Comments

You may have listened to last weeks podcast where Kim was talking about how we were renovating the front room on the cheap, reusing as much as possible.

In fact, she didn’t buy any new furnishings except block out curtains and sheers, and managed to get those for a quarter of the price that we were quoted locally.

Anyway, the biggest saving was the reuse of some old bookshelves that we converted into a massive wall unit.  Kim had been looking online for something, but she soon realised that instead of getting something new, we could make do with the units we had and upcycle them.

But I will let Kim walk you through the reno.


Hi everyone.  Since the new double glazing was fitted and the glass brick window, we have been saving like crazy to finish off our living room.  Along the way we managed to collect hand-me-downs to decorate the room.

We painted with low VOC paint and used natural oils on the wooden window frames.

P2040079

Bunch of silk flowers that a friend was throwing out, a bit of a dust and clean and they are as good as new.

P2190023

Our beautiful double glazed windows with curtains and sheers. I have not had curtains for over 18 years but my goodness with the blackout on the back of the main curtains the room stays pitch black when the sun rises in the mornings  (great insulation as well for the windows – Gav).

P2190017

Cushions are also saved from being thrown out, gifted from friends.

P2190061

I was looking at buying a new wall unit but could not justify the cost.  The three bookcases were purchased back in ’97 so decided to give them a new look. So after giving a sketch to our carpenter handyman he joined them together for me and fixed onto wall.  Not only does this give us more insulation in the house but also additional shelving (instead of $3000 for new units, it cost us about $150 to fix the bookshelves to the wall and fit the little shelves – Gav).

P2040103

Gavin made me some shelves to fit on the tops and I have used that space too (made from scraps of ply – Gav).

P2190070

I thought it would be great to have some lighting behind the unit and decided that the cheapest option was LED push lights. They look really great and provide us with some great lighting in the evenings (we even used rechargeable AAA batteries – Gav).

P2190086


Now Kim is far too modest to tell you, but her artwork is amazing.  The wall in the photo below is all her own work.  Mainly ink drawings of historical buildings she has visited, and a beautiful spanish dancer.  She certainly has some talent.  Even the artwork cost us very little!

P2190021

So there you have it.  If you try hard enough you can renovate a room on a budget by reusing as much as possible.  Work that could have cost us many, many thousands, only cost us a few thousand.  That included a lot of plaster work due to cracked walls that had shifted over time and split.  We also had to fill in the hole left behind when we removed the gas wall furnace.  And of course the cost of the paint and natural oils for the wood.

As this is the biggest room in the house, we must have used about 6 litres of undercoat, 6 litres of ceiling white, and 10 litres of colour.  Paint is not cheap, especially when you opt for a more environmentally friendly variety.

Do you try to reuse furniture and furnishings when you renovate?  How do you keep the costs down?

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Filed Under: GreenHome, reuse

Cream Cheese and New Cheesemaking DVD

February 16, 2015 @ 23:27 By Gavin Webber 6 Comments

A couple of things to share with you today.  A Cream Cheese video tutorial and a cheese making DVD that I have just created.

Firstly, the cheese.  I have made this about five times now, and this delicious cream cheese cannot even be compared to the stuff you buy in the store.  No additives, no artificial anything, just milk, vegetable rennet, salt, and culture.  It has an amazing flavour.

Quite frankly, I have never tasted anything like it, but then I am the one who made it.  Fantastic as a replacement for butter, even better on toast, once made it stores well in the fridge for about a week.  If you are after the cream cheese recipe, you can find it over at Little Green Cheese, my cheese making blog.



Now for those who enjoy my videos, I have something special that I have been working on.  I have created the first volume of a cheese making DVD series.  I figure that not everyone has the bandwidth on their Internet connection to watch YouTube videos, and sometimes it is handy to have a DVD version.  I know that I love re-watching my copies of Cheese Slices by Will Studd when I get the urge to make cheese or eat some fine cheese.  Certainly easier than searching for it on YouTube.

Anyway, here is the cover art, which I am quite proud of.  It even looks professional (that’s because it is!).

KCMC Vol1 cover

It will be available on our store in a couple of days, after I finish the printing and disk production.  I am only going to do a limited run to start will (about 10 copies @ $15 each) to see how they go.  If popular enough, I will create an Intermediate collection, then an Advanced Collection of cheese making video tutorials.  Let me know if you think this is worthwhile.

All this video production and creation certainly kept me busy over the weekend!  It was too hot to play in the garden anyway.

Addendum: DVD now available on Little Green Workshops.  Get ’em while they are hot!

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Filed Under: Cheese

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About Gavin Webber

About Gavin Webber

An Ordinary Australian Man Who Has A Green Epiphany Whilst Watching A Documentary, Gets a Hybrid Car, Plants A Large Organic Vegetable Garden, Goes Totally Solar, Lowers Consumption, Feeds Composts Bins and Worms, Harvests Rainwater, Raises Chickens, Makes Cheese and Soap, and Eats Locally. All In The Effort To Reduce Our Family's Carbon Footprint So We Can Start Making A Difference For Our Children & Future Generations To Come.

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Podcast Reviews

  • Always inspiring and entertaining!
    August 4, 2016 by floriographer from Australia

    I've crowed about Gavin's podcast before but I just have to recommend it once again - I love that he shares his learning as well as his successes - it helps the rest of us try try try again! Thanks Gavin!

  • ms
    July 22, 2016 by Ketaea12 from New Zealand

    I really enjoy listening to Gavin, he has a kind lovely voice. He covers some great relevant topics for the everyday greenie. With lots of tips or how to or what not to do. Thanks Gavin, love it!!

  • Well worth your time to tune in
    October 23, 2015 by A Vision Splendid from Australia

    I can highly recommend Gavin’s podcast ! I have followed Gavin’s blog since the very beginning and have loved to see his journey unfold. Gavin has a lovely speaking voice so this podcast is always very easy to listen to. Gavin has a very authentic approach to his green living lifestyle. He shares the ups and downs but always provides motivation and practical steps that we can all implement.

  • very good
    June 28, 2015 by Scared pax from United Kingdom

    This is a great podcast if you want to improve your life in so many aspects and become a more sustainable person. I love the soothing voice, the good pace, and it contains lots of useful information. Recommended!

  • opened my eyes
    May 25, 2015 by Gorn4lyfe from Australia

    A wonderful show!

  • Inspiring
    April 30, 2015 by Alan Whelan from Ireland

    This is a great podcast if you're looking for practical info on saving money by living more sustainably from someone who's made that journey over the last few years. Told in a nice, easy conversational style

  • Green Living, inspiring and practical
    January 8, 2015 by EliseMac from Australia

    Thanks Gav for sharing what has (and hasn't) worked along your journey for living a greener lifestyle. Inspiring and achievable for anyone, I look forward to this podcast weekly.

  • Local food equals less waste
    December 27, 2014 by allotmentadventureswithjean from Australia

    Another brilliant podcast from Gavin Webber encouraging us, and showing us how, to cut down on food miles, growing our own food, and cutting down on food waste. Gavin is a really interesting speaker, showing us how to eat better, growing our own food and how to live more sustainably.

  • Honestly australian
    December 15, 2014 by HodgepodgeOz from Australia

    Fantastic podcast, with a wide variety of well thought and researched topics. Gavin is a honest, forthright pod aster with a genuine interest in helping others get green. Like a day alongside is a day wasted, so too is a week without listening to Gavin. Highly recommended for people starting out, or those in the midst of their new lifestyle. Keep it up Gavin, wish there were more great reviews! Kimberley

  • Morning motivation
    December 8, 2014 by Bunnyworm from Australia

    Gavin has a great passion for living this greener lifestyle that motivates others to do the same. The podcasts are always interesting and informative. :)

  • Passionate Advocate
    October 18, 2014 by BoomOpGirl from Australia

    Gavin's enthusiasm and passion for creating a more sustainable world is nothing short of contagious. Thanks Gav, you are my weekly source of motivation for living a sustainable life! :)

  • Gavin speaks from the heart
    October 13, 2014 by Green gavin from Australia

    Gavin's podcasts are required listening for anyone planning to live a more sustainable life. He doesn't preach, but tells you his story from the heart. You'll laugh, smile, share in his concerns and along the way you'll pick up some great tips on living a simple life.

  • Green thoughts, so well iterated
    October 9, 2014 by Kwasikwami from Australia

    This is a wonderful podcast. Not only does Gavin talk knowledgeably on a range of sustainability topics from gardening tips all the way to the issues facing humanity as a whole, but he does so in such a wonderful voice, it's like listening to my Dad, love it!!

  • Easy listening inspiration on being green
    September 24, 2014 by Broomedy from Australia

    Gav knows how to share his journey to a more sustainable life in a manner that shows just how easy it really is. Not to mention healthier, economically beneficial and generally rewarding. The podcasts are an easy way to absorb Gav's great lifestyle. I recommend to anyone.

  • Thanks Gavin!
    August 31, 2014 by Honeywoodmilk from Australia

    Great practical advice for a greener lifestyle. This podcast is for anybody interested in growing their own food in suburbia, saving electricity, brewing beer, making cheese, all that wonderful business and most of all, saving money! Thanks Gavin, love the podcast mate!

  • Enjoyed those ideas for staying warm
    August 15, 2014 by enduringdragon from United States

    Like you we are having winter here in Chile—brrr! Every bit we can save on heating we will.

  • Green Podcasts
    July 26, 2014 by Carneu from Australia

    Excellent podcasts, which are full of information to help get started on a sustainable lifestyle.

  • Practical ideas and inspiration
    July 19, 2014 by HeathrowHeath from Australia

    I highly recommend Gavin's podcast and blog. Down to earth, entertaining and inspirational. Thank you.

  • Interesting & easy to listen to
    April 27, 2014 by Velocity3 from New Zealand

    Gavin & his guests make this green journey lots of fun.

  • Great green listen
    April 18, 2014 by Obscurenickname from Australia

    Gavin is a great down to earth, tell it like it is aussie with a passion for sustainability and growing food and making cheese

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