One Month of Eggs
I am in my fourth year of poultry keeping. I started with four hens, lost three within the first two weeks. I replaced these with three more and had a sturdy flock that laid well and behaved decently. At year two I introduced two new birds to the flock, expanding it to six. One bird was accepted into the existing flock the other was abandoned and left to fend on her own. I could not find her, that ended two days later when a raccoon did.
Last summer at age three I made dramatic changes. I decided to cull the flock back to four by eating a few of the older less productive hens and introducing two new chicks to the flock. Many days later of waking at dawn to ensure the birds safety, they are now successfully integrated. Winter laying was very slow but now with spring here they are all laying very well.
With the addition of the laying ducks, we are laden with eggs. This year, Dipak and I decided to track the quantity and quality of food we get from the garden farm. We started recording the eggs production on March 30th. As of April 28th, we have been gifted a total of 72 chicken eggs and 25 duck eggs. That’s a lot of eggs. The price of one dozen Free-Range, Heritage Breed eggs is $7. For Free-Range, Heritage Breeds duck eggs its closer to $10. So in one month we’ve gotten $42 in chicken eggs and $20.83 in duck eggs, to be exact. Ringing in at a total of $62.80. That’s pretty good!
Now the question is what to do with all the eggs?! I’d love suggestions on other scrumptious ways to enjoy them.
Thus far, I have made a soufflé, lemon curd, lemon bars, a German pancake, and tea eggs. Next on the list is egg curry, chile rellenos, salade Nicoise, and the lovely dessert of macarons (photo is not mine. It is my inspiration).
I may one day work up the nerve to make Thousand Year Old duck eggs (And eat them. And live to see the next day).
I’ve also learned I can do just about anything with the duck eggs that I would with the chicken, except whip the white. I also learned that they are hard to peel when boiled.
We have, surely, had the “you know, you can freeze eggs” conversation? You can, and then you can have them if like me you don’t keep your birds under light and have those molty months off of production.
April 30th, 2009 at 3:33 amHa! We did not and I did not but that is an excellent bit of news. Can you use them all the same ways when you defrost them?
April 30th, 2009 at 3:38 amFresh eggs (with bloom still on) will also keep for up to 6 months in the refrigerator. If you do want to freeze them, they go into the freezer re-shelled in a plastic bag.
Nice to see another urban farmer. My lot is 4850 square feet and some of it is not yet under cultivation!
June 23rd, 2009 at 5:28 am