Chicken/egg question

[user 7704]

Georgia, I had an apartment attached to the coop that had a screen so that the flock could see the chick's and acclimate to them. It made it easier but of course they still went through the pecking order ritual. I got the roos because I kept the chicks indoors and the dust and smell became too much.

When a hen hatches, the babies are automatically part of the flock and the roos start protecting. They stay in the same room.

 

[user 7704]

Robin, that rooster is giving you the EVIL eye. LOL

Chickens have those evil orange eyes. Rather scary.

 

[Brent S]

Robin, that rooster is giving you the EVIL eye. LOL

I thought it was the love eye!

 

[GeorgiaPeachie]

And smart. When trying to catch her she would fake you out and think about how to evade. The Rhodes island reds were great egg producers but dumb as rocks.

My RIR were noisy to the extreme. Yeah, and dumb.

 

[user 7704]

My youngest hen didn't come to roost last night.

My son is out looking for the corpse. Every time he finds a feather, he calls me and says he's found her. Lol

 

[Mountain trapper]

Our hens are starting to lay again. Before my wife went to work She started freezing the excess eggs. This way we'll have eggs during winter when they quit laying.

 

[user 7704]

Mine have really pick up Arctic. Yesterday I had 10 out of 14 produce.

Last month, I was lucky to get 2 or 3 per day. My two customers are

 

[user 7704]

My RIR were noisy to the extreme. Yeah, and dumb.

RIR Have always been really good ladies. Good producers and I never hear a cluck out of them except when they lay an egg

 

[DrHenley]

Our hens are starting to lay again. Before my wife went to work She started freezing the excess eggs. This way we'll have eggs during winter when they quit laying.

Arctic, can you tell us how to freeze eggs? I'm assuming you don't just stick them in the freezer.

 

[user 7704]

I'm not Artic but some people crack and blend like making scrambled eggs, place in ice trays until frozen, then empty into freezer bags.

 

[dirtdiva]

Arctic, can you tell us how to freeze eggs? I'm assuming you don't just stick them in the freezer.

We have frozen eggs before but be aware that it can change the consistency and taste a little bit I think. They are also easily dehydrated to make egg powder which we like better for baking and cooking.

 

[DrHenley]

So I guess making over medium fried eggs from frozen eggs is out?

 

[Mountain trapper]

I'm not Artic but some people crack and blend like making scrambled eggs, place in ice trays until frozen, then empty into freezer bags.

That's right Robin. She take 2, 3 or 4 eggs, lightly scramble them in a bowel and pour in to freezer bags. Then she lays the bags flat on a baking sheet, wtites the date, number of eggs and freeze them. They don't take up much space that way and when frozen the bags can be stacked.
She has another idea of a way to preserve whole eggs for a year or more. I think they need to be covered in lime. I'll check with her when we can talk on the phone next.

 

[user 7704]

That's right Robin. She take 2, 3 or 4 eggs, lightly scramble them in a bowel and pour in to freezer bags. Then she lays the bags flat on a baking sheet, wtites the date, number of eggs and freeze them. They don't take up much space that way and when frozen the bags can be stacked.
She has another idea of a way to preserve whole eggs for a year or more. I think they need to be covered in lime. I'll check with her when we can talk on the phone next.

You can coat them in wax and they last a long time. Months. Shorter term, rub with mineral oil

 

[dirtdiva]

So I guess making over medium fried eggs from frozen eggs is out?

Not really. Better than nothing! Taste for yourself. Take a couple eggs ( out of shell) and scramble them and stick them in the freezer for a day. Or don't scramble them, your choice. Tomorrow take them out and let thaw in the fridge and cook them and see what you think. Please share your thoughts.

 

[DrHenley]

She has another idea of a way to preserve whole eggs for a year or more. I think they need to be covered in lime. I'll check with her when we can talk on the phone next.

The Chinese have been preserving eggs that way for hundreds of years. They call them "Century Eggs" or "Thousand Year Eggs" and they are usually made from duck eggs, but they also use chicken and quail eggs.

The story of their invention goes something like this:

Around 600 years ago in Hunan during the Ming Dynasty, a homeowner discovered duck eggs in a shallow pool of slaked lime that was used for mortar during construction of his home two months before. Upon tasting the eggs, he set out to produce more – this time with the addition of salt to improve their flavor – resulting in the present recipe of the century egg.​

 

[dirtdiva]

The Chinese have been preserving eggs that way for hundreds of years. They call them "Century Eggs" or "Thousand Year Eggs" and they are usually made from duck eggs, but they also use chicken and quail eggs.

The story of their invention goes something like this:

Around 600 years ago in Hunan during the Ming Dynasty, a homeowner discovered duck eggs in a shallow pool of slaked lime that was used for mortar during construction of his home two months before. Upon tasting the eggs, he set out to produce more – this time with the addition of salt to improve their flavor – resulting in the present recipe of the century egg.​

I'll pass thank you though

 

[Dani]

I freeze like Robin mentioned in ice cube trays and also dehydrated like dirtdiva said. Granddaughter loves to work the blender.

 

[Brent S]

Balute was the worst way to preserve them that I’ve read about. Take a fertilized chicken or duck egg and in 17 days kill it, then bury in the ground for months to ferment. And they call that a delicacy! Pretty gross, and I gotta ask, how in the heck did someone find out that wouldn’t kill you to eat it....

 

[Mountain trapper]

Now that the chickens are laying again, and the ducks, I'm finding eggs all over the place. On my tractor seat, in some coiled up chocker chains and in the hay in the barn. I'm unloading a trailer load of hay today and in the middle of the load on the trailer deck was 6 eggs. I'm getting a dozen in their nest boxes every day too.
Every now and then the dog will find an egg somewhere and will bring it to me, unbroken.

 

[user 7704]

Balute was the worst way to preserve them that I’ve read about. Take a fertilized chicken or duck egg and in 17 days kill it, then bury in the ground for months to ferment. And they call that a delicacy! Pretty gross, and I gotta ask, how in the heck did someone find out that wouldn’t kill you to eat it....

Saw something like this on an Anthony Bourdain show. It was in Vietnam. Coated the duck in some type clay and then buried it. I could never eat it.

 

[GeorgiaPeachie]

Georgia, I had an apartment attached to the coop that had a screen so that the flock could see the chick's and acclimate to them. It made it easier but of course they still went through the pecking order ritual. I got the roos because I kept the chicks indoors and the dust and smell became too much.

When a hen hatches, the babies are automatically part of the flock and the roos start protecting. They stay in the same room.

That sounds like a great system Robin!

 

[Brent S]

Saw something like this on an Anthony Bourdain show. It was in Vietnam. Coated the duck in some type clay and then buried it. I could never eat it.

I remember Andrew Zimmerman describing that if you could get over the texture of the immature duck as you chewed it then the flavor was actually pretty good. Ewwww. I’m adventurous but definitely have my limits!

 

[GeorgiaPeachie]

Starving sounds like a better option than that gross duck! Yuck!!

How is everyone doing with their gardens? I finally got part of mine done on Sunday. Then the rain came. I’m anxious to see how the plants grow. Our back yard slopes down to the water, so last year I had 4ft stone wall put in and had top soil brought in...so I essentially have a huge raised bed. Added leaves and chicken droppings last fall. Then decided to try the lasagna style gardening, so that is what I did to part of it Sunday. Has anyone else had good results with this type of gardening?

 

[Brent S]

Starving sounds like a better option than that gross duck! Yuck!!

How is everyone doing with their gardens? I finally got part of mine done on Sunday. Then the rain came. I’m anxious to see how the plants grow. Our back yard slopes down to the water, so last year I had 4ft stone wall put in and had top soil brought in...so I essentially have a huge raised bed. Added leaves and chicken droppings last fall. Then decided to try the lasagna style gardening, so that is what I did to part of it Sunday. Has anyone else had good results with this type of gardening?

It’s an interesting idea to build the wall for a sloped area. I could probably use a 6’ wall on mine as it’s so steep. I do have a more level area I could plant in but after working on enriching the soil here for so long I don’t want to start over in a new spot now. Just don’t have the spark to fence it and get it working. I could plant the additional area with something if hard pressed later on though. It’s close to half an acre. Would be nice to have a big crop of corn or something in addition to the regular garden.

 

[dirtdiva]

It’s an interesting idea to build the wall for a sloped area. I could probably use a 6’ wall on mine as it’s so steep. I do have a more level area I could plant in but after working on enriching the soil here for so long I don’t want to start over in a new spot now. Just don’t have the spark to fence it and get it working. I could plant the additional area with something if hard pressed later on though. It’s close to half an acre. Would be nice to have a big crop of corn or something in addition to the regular garden.

Terracing is also an option. In the enclosed photo notice the retaining wall to the right of the terraces allowing a flat area at the top and then terracing down the retaining walls.

 

[DrHenley]

That looks exactly like my red Tundra pickup! (mud and all, LOL)

 

[GeorgiaPeachie]

It’s an interesting idea to build the wall for a sloped area. I could probably use a 6’ wall on mine as it’s so steep. I do have a more level area I could plant in but after working on enriching the soil here for so long I don’t want to start over in a new spot now. Just don’t have the spark to fence it and get it working. I could plant the additional area with something if hard pressed later on though. It’s close to half an acre. Would be nice to have a big crop of corn or something in addition to the regular garden.

You sure could get more planting space if needed. The great thing about building a planting area like this is it’s just like a raised bed...you don’t have to struggle to get good soil. We didn’t even have to till it!

 

[GeorgiaPeachie]

Terracing is also an option. In the enclosed photo notice the retaining wall to the right of the terraces allowing a flat area at the top and then terracing down the retaining walls.

View attachment 10136

Terracing is also a good idea! It doesn’t work for me because it gets too hot in the summer and it would be a constant watering job...also don’t like to work on a hill much. Many places in the world make it work though! Thinking of China growing rice and South America growing coffee.

 

[dirtdiva]

That looks exactly like my red Tundra pickup! (mud and all, LOL)

For the last 30 years my husband has owned a red pickup truck like that. Sells one and gets another that looks just like that. Mud and all. Can't ride in the passenger seat for the guns, ammo, tools etc. God forbid you do not touch/ drive or wash his truck EVER Gotta be a man thing.