Hospitality, Friendship, Encouragement

Thursday, January 15, 2015

Homestead: Chickens In Winter


Our chickens are doing well, in spite of the cold temperatures.  Tim put a heat lamp in their coop to keep them warm overnight, and on those days when the temperatures have stayed in the low 20's or high teens.

Here are three of them free ranging on the property yesterday.  This is up by the house and I snapped this photo on my way to Rachel's cello lesson.

The 4 roosters went to the butcher a few weeks ago.  They are now in the freezer.  

The hens have slowed down the egg production quite a bit.  9 hens and we are only getting 2-3 eggs a day.  It will pick up again when the temperatures warm up.  I'll be glad of that.  There is nothing quite like fresh eggs.



 Do you have chickens?  Are you a fan of eggs?  Did you know that the color of the shell has everything to do with the breed of the chicken and not whether the egg is better for you than another color?

11 comments:

  1. I would love to have chickens. As I live within town limits, I can only have 2 hens and they have fenced. Almost doesn't seem worth it for now.

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    Replies
    1. Some of our hens, the older ones, used to wander into our neighbors yards, but we trained them to stay in ours! The younger ones never wander, thankfully.

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  2. I would love to have a couple of hens. I find it peaceful to sit and watch them. I even have names picked out..Lucy and Ethel....lol....!! Because we live inside the city limits we can't have chickens in our yard. I was so disappointed when I found this out. :(

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  3. It would be lovely to have chickens. But when it comes time to do what you did to the roosters, I wouldn't have the heart. Your eggs are just lovely shades of color, Deanna. ♥

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  4. Oh how I miss my chickens from the farm. I love to watch their social behavior and LOVE LOVE LOVE the eggs. Eggs are a great source of protein and a wonderful way to diet. 2 eggs every morning gets your day off to a good start!
    Stay warm my friend.
    Brenda

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    Replies
    1. Brenda! I'm so happy to hear from you! I love chickens - they are fun, and I love their eggs too!

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  5. There is nothing better than a fresh egg! We always had chickens, goats, pigs/hogs and cows when I was growing up! We don't have chickens or any farm animals but seeing yours reminds me of my childhood! Precious memories! Enjoy your evening dear friend, HUGS!

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  6. I buy our eggs from the farm on the next line and the shells are always brown. We can taste the freshness of them over store bought.
    So, you're eating the roosters, didn't know that, thought only hens were eaten - learned something new!

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    Replies
    1. You really can tell the difference in the taste of the eggs! Glad you have a nearby source for fresh eggs. We haven't eaten the roosters yet - I'll probably have to boil them so I'll use them to make broth, and use the meat in a casserole or something!

      Deanna

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  7. I eat eggs most mornings as well! I really enjoyed Wren. I like the way she lived very artfully, and made her surroundings beautiful to herself.

    Deanna

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