Our hens have always been a bit off schedule. We got them late – mid-July – and they began laying in December. Trying to help them, we put a light in their coop on a timer to extend their daylight to help them through their first laying season.
This winter the hens have been molting at different times. Right now we’re getting one egg, every other day or so, if we’re lucky.
We had to brake down. I couldn’t believe we did it.
But the market has been closed the past few weekends due to snow. And we needed eggs.
We bought supermarket eggs. (in my head, that is said in a whisper)
Their shells are thin and ghostly white. Their yolks just lay flat inside the whites. If they were human, they’d be the most boring person you’ve ever met.
And so we’ll suffer through a dozen plain jane eggs and get more at the market. In the meantime, we’re perusing the hatchery catalogs, just dreaming …
Aren’t those chicken catalogs wonderful? Murray McMurray is my favorite.
Here is a yummy egg that I like – Guinea fowl eggs. They are about the size of bantam eggs. The shells are harder than chicken eggs, but the eggs are so delicious! Guineas are great for the garden and really keep down the bug population. They are not cuddly like chickens but I enjoy hearing their calls. Raise them with a group of chickens or they will roost in the trees.
Have you ever seen Cayuga ducks? The babies are quite possibly the world’s cutest ducks. I am betting that nothing else in the world has busy little legs that look like black licorice… Quiet and easy going, the adults waddle slowly around, browsing in silence; the sun catching green and purple shimmers on their shiny black feathers. The first eggs of the season are black, gradually fading as the season goes on to a pale gray. The eggs are good for baking.
Cayugas are quite the contrast from Runner ducks, who are always vocal and on the move! Bowling pins that run around and quack all day!
I used to have all sorts of fowl and several kinds of chickens. The girls paid their way in egg production and pure entertainment.
Hi Danielle,
I talked to a guy yesterday who came out to look at my goats who has quite a few young pullets that he’d like to sell. They are about 4 months old and just starting to lay. I told him I’d give you his number. Umm, I guess I’ll send it in an email.
Thanks Anita! I’ll have to give him a call today! I got the phone number you sent – I deleted the comment just to provide him some security. 🙂