As some of you might remember, I purchased seven chicks in July, two bought from a local mom, and five ordered through the internet. Sadly, the best looking of them turned out to be a rooster and we had to find a home for him. Speck was lucky because he was purchased by a very nice lady who even sent up pictures of him and his new "friends". It was really hard to let him go.To my total surprise, raising chickens has turned out to be an wonderful experience (building a coop with my own hands was also amazing). If somebody had told me a year ago how much fun having chickens would be, I would have thought there was something seriously wrong with this person, now I know I was wrong. Holding a fast asleep chick in your hands is priceless, so is realizing that chickens are born with a personality, like children. Their nature manifests immediately, and it stays true when they are fully grown. Given the fact that our chicks never had a hen to show them how to be a chicken, we were amazed that they know what to do, instincts are really powerful.
I had hoped to get eggs at 4 months, but I should have listened to all the people who told me that in reality chickens start laying at 6 months. When we went to Italy we really missed our loud feathered friends, but we were pleasantly surprised to find our first eggs when we got back. Cloudy, our tiniest chicken, a bantam Ameraucana, started laying green eggs about a month ago, and they are the cutest thing, even though I never cease to be surprised on how something so big can come out of something so small. We were surprised again when we found the egg of the third chicken that started laying, as it was pure white. Yesterday, our biggest, blackest, and mellowest chicken laid her first egg, a beautiful pale beige, almost pink egg. Now we are waiting for the last two to star laying, and that should give us 3-4 fresh eggs a day, imagine the possibilities!
I know I cannot make everyone who has a garden get chickens and raise them, but after witnessing their excitement when they are let out of the coop, I had the painful confirmation that there is something really wrong and inhumane in keeping chickens confined in overcrowded cages, with no room for moving around. Since as consumers we have the power of making choices I strongly suggest that you buy eggs from chickens raised humanely. Besides the ethics against caging, the quality of nutrients from chickens raised inhumanely cannot be good, pumped with antibiotics and stressed from their living conditions. Thanks for listening.
15 comments:
What beautiful eggs! WOW! How fun, to have such cute feathered friends as well :D
My Gosh Laura, I was also thinking about raising chicken in my back yard. I have a friend who raise 27 chicken, and I am so jealous that she has fresh eggs everyday. We just met yesterday, all we talked about was her chicken, and how to raise them. Like you've said, they have their own personality. I just plant to have maybe 3 or 4. Still have to research more about it, and make sure that my none of my quite neighbor will get disturb. Please keep update your chicken raise experience.
Happy Sunday,
elra
Rose, aren't they beautiful? Now I know why Martha Stewart designed her house color line after her chickens' egg colors.
Elra, your friend can help you lots, but if you have any questions let me know. I have relied a lot on other people in my community who have chickens for their knowledge. It is a lot of fun!
That is a great post! thank you anything to show the value of a fresh egg is excellent. Little that people know that eggs purchased from some grocers had been laid up to 6 weeks prior. there is nothing better than a farm fresh egg the color of the yolk!
It's absolutely a wonderfull post!
grazie a te laura!
ma davvero ti fa le uova verdi?
e' per via della razza o che? e dentro sono normali??
scusa le domande, forse stupide...ma è davvero 'wizard'!
un abbraccio
Natural Selection, thanks for your comment, and yes, the dark yolk is amazing. I can't wait to bake with the eggs to see the color they give to the cake.
Thank you Iana for stopping by.
Gaia, si e' la particolare razza che depone uova colorate (viene dal sud america), e la gallina che fa quelle bianche e' chiamata livornese perche' e' originaria di livorno. Incredibile, no?
Che belle quelle uova! Now you have to start thinking about how to use them. Logistical problems prevent me from having chickens, but I get eggs from friends who do. I agree with you.
Ciao Simona! So far we have enjoyed them for breakfast. I might start baking with them when all the chickens are laying. We should get 3 to 4 eggs a day eventually. It is fun!
Cara Laura sono proprio una soddisfazione ! Le aveva la persona per cui lavoravo a Santa Barbara e le dovevo mettere a letto : 'go to bed, go to bed' !
L'indirizzo ? Baci baicolati
che scema che sono ! Parli anche italiano ;)!
Si, l'indirizzo, te lo devo mandare....
Iana, puoi fare esercizio d'inglese se vuoi, o puoi commentare in Italiano.
che bellissimi uova! Si é vero che ogni gallina ha una personalità proprio, sono molte divertente. Eravate fortunati che era solo un gallo (avevamo tre di 4!).
Per me rimane un miracolo ogni tempo che un uovo perfetto é fatto. Le mie torte con questi uova sono molto gialle, bellissime :D
I'm so behind on blogs---and I've been dying to comment when I saw your egg pics on FB. These are too cool!! I love all the different colors and I'm glad your chickens have been a good experience for you. :)
How nice that the eggs are different colors. Very pretty.
Your eggs are healthier than factory farmed eggs. Go to Mother Earth news and do a search for free range eggs. A couple of years back they did a study and found that the pastured eggs are way more nutritious! When you find the article, you'll be amazed!!
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