What does one do with a dozen eggs a day? I’ve waited 5 months for those sweet cute little chicks I purchased in May to start laying. And now they are, at least 12 of them. So now what to do when all 26 start to lay. Does anyone want some farm fresh eggs out there???
The old adage is be careful what you wish for, you just might get it. Well I have eggs for sure. How many ways can one actually fix an egg? That will be my next research project.
What is amazing is that these stupid animals, and chickens really are, just start laying and know that the nest box I made for them is where they are suppose to lay their eggs. And they share their nest that amazes me that they will allow another hen to lay their egg right along with theirs.
The other day it was pretty funny. Two hens were trying to lay in the same nest box. Mind you there were three empty ones right next to this one. But they wanted the same one, sounds like kids doesn’t it.
Well it is time to head out to the hen house and find more eggs. Again, what does one do with a dozen eggs a day?
The Greenhorn Homesteader
Friday, October 23, 2009
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Silver Fox Litter Arrives
Well another litter of Silver fox rabbits were born this week on the Homestead. That makes three new litters again. Silver fox rabbits are such awesome rabbits. They are Great Moms who know what to do and how to take care of their kits. Most people think that nature just knows what to do, but that is not necessarily true. And even over breeding in-line breeding can ruin a good breed. We have had does that just don’t have a clue or worse yet cannibalize their young. Sad to say those does don’t last long on the homestead.
But it is such fun to watch the kits grow. Before you know it their eyes open up and they start jumping all around. Jumping in and out of their nest box and bothering Mom unmercifully. They are just this handful of fur and so soft.
Anne is growing up so fast. She still likes to jump around a bit but she is acting more and more the grown up Goat! Hopefully Starbuck, our pride and joy, will be doing his job and we can expect kids in the spring. That will be so much fun to have kids jumping around and blatting continually. LOL.
Hope to be able to figure out how to get some pictures uploaded here to share with you. But as it is on the homestead, it is time to do chores, let the Hens run around before the sun sets and take care of the bugs! I think we have to work on the milking parlor as well. Hoping that is completed before the first snow flies here. We sure are cutting that project close this year.
Winter…I am so not ready for it, didn’t seem like we even had summer. Well off to the barns I go.
But it is such fun to watch the kits grow. Before you know it their eyes open up and they start jumping all around. Jumping in and out of their nest box and bothering Mom unmercifully. They are just this handful of fur and so soft.
Anne is growing up so fast. She still likes to jump around a bit but she is acting more and more the grown up Goat! Hopefully Starbuck, our pride and joy, will be doing his job and we can expect kids in the spring. That will be so much fun to have kids jumping around and blatting continually. LOL.
Hope to be able to figure out how to get some pictures uploaded here to share with you. But as it is on the homestead, it is time to do chores, let the Hens run around before the sun sets and take care of the bugs! I think we have to work on the milking parlor as well. Hoping that is completed before the first snow flies here. We sure are cutting that project close this year.
Winter…I am so not ready for it, didn’t seem like we even had summer. Well off to the barns I go.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Hens are Laying
Wow! We've doubled our egg production. We now are getting 4 eggs a day. With 26 hens eating like porkers it probably makes it around $20 dozen. Good financial sense to me the accountant/homesteader in the family. Can't bring myself to calculate what these eggs actually cost. I know I will cry. Now just to get the rest of the 22 hens to lay!!! And maybe using those nice nest boxes we made might be a bounce to use instead of hiding them. At least it would be convenient for the homesteader...ME!
I really think they are holding out on me. Come on...26 hens and 4 eggs a day. I know they aren't 5 months old till the 13th of this month, which by the way I claim "13" as my lucky number. May explain a few things in my life. LOL.
But I am pretty proud of this brood. They are gentle and now are coming up to me with no fear. One today pecked at my boot. Not sure what she thought she was finding. But our Ladies are truly hilarious to watch. Just wish the weather wasn't changing so fast. They love roaming the backyard and they sure have eliminated a lot of nasty insects, one of the benefits of chickens...no pesticides! And I am no fan of most insects or pesticides. A quandary the hens have fixed for me.
Homesteading can mean early morning milkings and feedings, late night chores and more to do than there is day. But there are those times, when I lean on the gate where the hens are perching and I'm stroking them, how do I explain the feeling of peace and at oneness one feels. They peer into your eyes and you look back and you know you are where you want to be.
The Greenhorn Homesteader
I really think they are holding out on me. Come on...26 hens and 4 eggs a day. I know they aren't 5 months old till the 13th of this month, which by the way I claim "13" as my lucky number. May explain a few things in my life. LOL.
But I am pretty proud of this brood. They are gentle and now are coming up to me with no fear. One today pecked at my boot. Not sure what she thought she was finding. But our Ladies are truly hilarious to watch. Just wish the weather wasn't changing so fast. They love roaming the backyard and they sure have eliminated a lot of nasty insects, one of the benefits of chickens...no pesticides! And I am no fan of most insects or pesticides. A quandary the hens have fixed for me.
Homesteading can mean early morning milkings and feedings, late night chores and more to do than there is day. But there are those times, when I lean on the gate where the hens are perching and I'm stroking them, how do I explain the feeling of peace and at oneness one feels. They peer into your eyes and you look back and you know you are where you want to be.
The Greenhorn Homesteader
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