Monthly Archives: February 2011

Don's big hands dwarf the size of these large eggs. On this day, all five hens layed.

We are getting some beautiful eggs this winter. Daisy and Poppy are laying extra-large eggs nearly every day. I’m not in the egg-selling business so I don’t put pressure on the girls to lay every day. In fact, a couple of eggs a week from each of them would be fine. I would rather have them lay fewer eggs for a longer period of time (usually five years is the limit) than to wear out their “egg makers” by laying every day.

Sweetpea's tiny egg

Once in a while the hens surprise me. Last week, there was this miniature egg lying among the normal ones. It was perfect, egg-shell and all. What happened? Well, one of girls obviously took a half day off and went shopping at the mall, leaving behind this perfectly shaped jewel to deceive us. The tiny egg weighs in at only 3/4 of an ounce. Our hens normally lay eggs that weigh 2 1/4 ounces. I’m not sure it has a yolk and white inside. I hate to crack it open to see. It is so precious as is!

Well, the thought was there, Sweetpea. You did your best and we all have days like this! Next time take the whole day off my dear. You deserve it.

.

.

.

.

Four out of five are laying each day.

Our five girls are back in business. After a productive first year we hit some bumps in the road and the hens slowed down. First, Daisy became sickly and stopped laying. Then the ladies began molting; some for the second time. Molting happens about once a year so is to be expected. It lasts for about two months so we became a little “egg deprived” when several of the hens were molting at the same time. The biggest bump in the road, occurred in the wet days of early winter. Rosie, our best layer, died.

Now suddenly, in the warmth of winter on the Central Coast, our five hens have “snapped out of it”. All hens are laying once again. What a delight to lift the nest box cover yesterday and see four beautiful light brown eggs inside. The only one missing was an egg from Tulip and today she joined the others and gifted us with one of her light green beauties.

I’ve only had to buy a dozen eggs in nearly two years so I’m not complaining. All hens now have molted except for Poppy who has continued to be a consistent layer. I’m still putting ground egg shells in their feed and the egg shell on their newly minted eggs appear to be smooth and strong. Here’s hoping the girls stay happy and healthy in the coming year. These are our pets. And what other pet puts food on your table rather than taking it? Blessings!