Self-Sufficiency

Beehives cannot be left alone but require active management and maintenance to keep your hives healthy and productive. Hives that are left to their own devices may last a few years, but at some point, the bees will abscond from the hive to find more suitable accommodation that better meets their needs.

You can ferment sauerkraut too long, at which point it will become mushy, and the taste will be too acidic, even though the sauerkraut will still be edible. Longer ferments will intensify the flavors and tangy taste of the sauerkraut. The length of your ferment is usually according to your personal taste. The traditional ferment for sauerkraut is about four weeks, but some people prefer a 3-day ferment.

It should not be necessary for beekeepers to carry an EpiPen as part of their gear, but the choice you make should be depending on your experience and allergy status. If you have presented with abnormal reactions to bee stings in the past, it would be better to consult a doctor as to the best procedure and precautions to take. Prevention is better than cure, so take the proper precautions.

When things rot, the bacteria that cause decay proliferate on the item and begin to break it down. Fermentation is the introduction of good bacteria that inhibit the growth of the bacteria that cause decay. This has the effect of preserving the food item for longer, and even enhancing its nutritional value due to the presence of the good bacteria!

You can eat a dead chicken provided it hasn't been dead for too long, and you can establish the cause of death with some certainty. Some circumstances that resulted in the death of the chicken may render the carcass unfit for human consumption and may be more of a danger to your than hunger.