Happiness is...

... a full egg carton.

The chickens still have about 7 weeks before they reach their full egg-laying potential, but we're happy with how they're producing in the meantime.

We have 4 brown egg-laying hens of 3 breeds (Silver Laced Wyandotte, Dark Brahma and Rhode Island Red). I put on my detective hat and have been able to discern who lays what in terms of the different shades of brown. So, the gardening kids and I have fun looking at the eggs and identifying the mama.

All of the colors do make for a pretty egg carton. And one of our hens has a propensity for laying double-yoked eggs, so it's an extra surprise when you crack it into the pan!

Green Eggs (but no ham)

Yesterday I was excited to find our first green egg in the nest. Our Aracaunas (Sage and Rosemary) have been a little slow to start laying, but we expected that. A few of the hens - the Rhode Island Red, White Leghorn, and the Silver Laced Wyandottes - are known to be "good layers." But our Dark Brahma and the Aracaunas are more renowned for being pretty than hard workers. Even so, we'll soon have multi-colored egg cartons, with brown, white, and green (or blue) eggs!

And yes, those are golf balls in the nest. It's a time tested method for teaching the hens where to lay their eggs. Kind of silly, but it works!

Grocery List

Today I was making my grocery list and realized that, in addition to skipping store vegetables, I also could leave eggs off the list. Pretty soon I'll (hopefully) be able to stop buying milk, yogurt, butter, cheese, and ice cream as well.

These critters have been - and continue to be - a lot of work. A consistent routine of morning and evening chores that can never be missed, getting permits from animal control and zoning, and learning my way around feed stores --- not to mention trimming hooves and checking chicken vents.

But boy, is it worth it! Tonight we enjoyed a homegrown dinner of eggs scrambled with sauteed arugula and hot pepper, chopped heirloom tomato, and salad with carrots and cucumber. It was very nourishing, and both Brian and I felt terrific when we finished eating.

The satisfaction from that meal came not just from consuming the end product, but from the entire process that went into creating the dinner. Many thanks to the chickens who gave us the eggs, and to the garden that provided the veggies (and the garden scraps that helped produce the beautiful, healthy eggs!).

Happy Egg Day!

Today I went into the barnyard to let the chickens into their run for lunch. Six of them went in quickly, but I couldn't find Cayenne (our White Leghorn) anywhere. After searching for a while, I finally found her tucked into a corner of the shed, nestled on a pile of straw.

I took a step toward her to herd her into the run, and she started squawking at me. Really loudly, and persistently. I left her alone, just hoping that she wasn't injured. After a minute she hopped off the straw. I ran over, and guess what I found?!?

TWO eggs actually, which means that Cayenne started laying yesterday. We know they're both from her, because she's the only one of our chickens who will lay white eggs.

I scooped her up, and she let me hold her for a while (which is unusual).

We're so proud!

I would be tired, too!

Here are the eggs in the straw stack. I hadn't put official nests in for the chickens yet, because they're not due to lay for a little while. I guess Cayenne is just advanced for her age!

Our lovely eggs. (and yes, that's chicken poop on the eggshell)

All cleaned up and ready for their closeup.

Just 2 inches across right now, but the eggs will get bigger as the chickens continue to grow.

Delicious fried egg.

The yolks are a beautiful red/orange, from the beta-carotene in all of the weeds the chickens eat.

Our little chicken, just 19 weeks ago...

Way to go, Cayenne!!