Egg Myths

I've answered a lot of egg and chicken questions. As well as I have listened to tall spun egg tales. I wanted to get a few points straight for those who still have some questions and right the wrongs with what they've come to believe!

Myth: Brown, White & Cream Eggs are different!

Truth: All eggs are equal based on color. Eggs are only different colors based on the breed that lays them. They come in many colors, and many sizes. There are several degrees of color within the browns, creams and whites. There is also coveted green and blue eggs that are nutritionally the same as other eggs. The only nutritional difference is based on how the chicken that lays it is raised and what it is fed.

Myth: You need a rooster for a hen to lay an egg.

Truth: A hen will lay an egg without the presence of a male. There cycle is simple. Every 26 hours or so produce an egg, and the chicken body does just that. That of course is the average and the soonest it can produce. Production breeds do this well, while ornamental breeds take longer and lay less often. Even a chicken needs a day off so don't expect an egg or 2 a day. On average 5 is a good amount of eggs a week per bird. Again, no rooster required unless you want chicks.

Myth: Eggs are all high in cholesterol and have the same nutrient measurements.

Truth: Eggs that come from battery cage birds can be higher in cholesterol and lower in omega-3 fatty acids. They also have low protein levels compared to what they could or SHOULD have. Caged production hens eat a diet high in corn, creating a less healthy egg. Chickens are omnivores by nature, like humans and require greens, calcium and proteins. Chickens NEED bugs, grass, veggies more then just grain. A true free ranged chicken gets all these and more creating an egg you can visually see is healthier. A deep orange yolk from a free range chicken has lower cholesterol, lower fat, higher proteins and high Omega-3 levels. Plus... it just tastes better.

Myth: You can't eat fertile eggs because they're already becoming a chick!

Truth: Good news... this is NOT true! A fertile egg looks and taste no different then an unfertile egg. An egg needs to be sat on getting to temps around 100 degrees to 'start' development. It can take 3 or more days to develop veins that would then start developing a chick. A chick takes 21 days to develop. Without a broody hen in your coop this would not even begin to happen, and if you collect your eggs daily... won't happen at all! Plus visually... you couldn't see the difference between a fertile and unfertile egg unless you know what you are looking for. A speck so tiny most people miss it. Plus, you have to open the egg either way to know so might as well fry it up!

Myth: I live in the city so I can't have chickens even if I wanted to collect my own eggs.

Truth: Most major cities allow chickens now. In most cases, hens only in city and no roosters. Some require permits, some none at all! There are cities with max number of birds set at 3 or 4, with others setting the max according to how large your yard is. Raleigh allows you to have 4+ hens and no roosters. They even have a great yearly "Tour Da Coop" where you can buy tickets and visit backyard coops to see how the whole set is being down, plus you get help starting your flock from the experts. Raleigh not a big enough city to believe yours would allow it? NYC allows hens with no max amount set. Most towns are worried about noise and smell. Hens are generally quite (until they sing their "I laid an egg" song) and with a simple monthly cleaning there is no smell to worry about!

Be healthy... eat eggs!

Many Earth Blessings

Things came to life rather quickly, and we believed we had more time then we did to attack the situations going on around us. We thought we had time to put in 7 raised beds, extend the front walk garden by 4', build a bee hive and a new chicken coop for meat birds.

However, only 3 of the 7 beds got done and we're too broke to finish the other 4 this year. The bee hive got done, but no bees. The front walk will have to wait a bit and the new portable coop will happen when we collect enough freebies to make it be.

The good news is, everything has woken up. After the past 3 years of planting, building and loving the earth we are so grateful for, we finally are enjoying the fruits of our labor. We've poured blood, sweat and tears into every foot of our gardens and home. This year we get to see a huge amount of grapes developing on our vine, tons of pears, peaches and even a few apples on the trees. The raspberries are thick and flowering. The strawberries are heavy with flowers & fruit, more then I've ever seen. Perennials I've planted over the years are finally getting full of more buds then ever as well.

So I wanted to share this.... here are our Bearded Irises. These gorgeous blooms were sent to me 2 1/2 years ago... with no return address on the box. I have no idea who sent them, but the note said "unknown colors". Last year, I got 2 to bloom... one purple, one yellow. This year I have all of them blooming and we have 2 different purples, 2 different yellows, a white and a mauve. One looks about ready to open and is either a dark yellow or an orange. The diversity and placement by the pond, is just an amazing spring site!

Just to add to all the wonderment... I attempted my first cutting last year. I got a piece of our grape vine to take root, and I transplanted it in the fall. I almost gave up hope... but now it is going STRONG! A couple more years and a second harvest of grapes looks possible.

Now Let There Be Bees

The top bar hive is finished, and hubby is so proud. Now if only some bees would move in... I'm craving honey!

It's been painted in white on the legs and roof with metal flashing on top. The rest of the hive is untreated pine oiled with orange oil, linseed oil and bees wax to hold up to weathering and attract some bees.

Spring Means Chick Season

We've had a few hatches this month already, and have quite a collection of chicks now. We've hatched Silkies, Japanese Bantams, Easter Eggers and Cochin Bantams. They are all cute little buggers too!

When Gardeners Are Attacked

No Sonny, I'm not calling you out on this.... whoops... maybe I just did? :oP

So, today we finally hit the new garden plot we've been planning all winter. What a fabulous day to get it done, a bit on the chilly side, but after several days of the 80's here... it was much easier on us then one of those hot days.

We lined everything out starting yesterday, fixed a few problems, got some wood and fired up the tiller. Hubby had me going to town on it myself for awhile. I also shoveled, raked and moved lines with help from him and one of our friends.

During a moment the tiller had a fit, my friend and I attempted to fix a bolt that kept popping off. We finally 'believed' we had it fixed and could get back to work. I went to stand up, and the handle gave in when the tiller threw the bolt off at lightening speed and the tiller handle came into contact with my face before I knew what was going on. All I saw were stars until I could stand up, then all I could see was red because blood flooded into one of my eyes. Even though it hurt badly, and the cut was DEEP... I'm too stubborn to goto the hospital for stitches. So now I have been told to SIT IN THE HOUSE! I am no longer able to work on my precise garden.

Here's some pictures of what we've got done so far... hubby is still rocking it by himself. But better safe then sorry!

So beware of tillers... I think they carry vent up aggressions!!!

New Garden Bed For Daughter Done

Well, its done being dug and lined. We need to add some compost and plants of course. Then some mulch after, but for now its done... the back breaking part anyways.

I hope she has room in there for some peppers or tomatoes for mommy!? Hahahaha

Mother Nature Is Such A Tease

So the curiously warmed weather, and blooming things continues. I looked through my blog last year, and noticed some late season cold snaps last year. We have some daffodils and tulips peeking through this time of year, but no blooms until mid-late March. This year, I've seen blooms starting nearly 2 weekends ago.

Now that I have been tricked into spring by Mother Nature herself (who is probably laughing at her plan to dump snow on us this month or something) I have started a new flower bed for my daughter who wants her own by her playhouse. My back is already killing me, and I'm only 1/2 done.

We also wanted to tease you with our fabulous weather (gotta love Zone 7b).

So enjoy the updated photos...

 My daughter's play house needs a little flower garden of its very own she can work in. She's already started a bunch of pink zinnia in the house to plant here.

 Nearly 50 tulip bulbs have popped up. They are all dark pink, I need to mix in some white ones under the river birch tree.

 Our new herb box outside the kitchen window. So will be easy to grab what I want without going outside each time.

Check it out, all our teeny tiny daffodils are blooming.

Don't forget, if you ever have any gardening questions, feel free to post or shoot me an email!