Comments on: The chickens in winter http://www.starvingofftheland.com/2010/01/26/the-chickens-in-winter/ Bumbling toward self-sufficiency in the wilds of Cape Cod Thu, 29 Jul 2010 20:03:36 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Jenhttp://www.starvingofftheland.com/2010/01/26/the-chickens-in-winter/comment-page-1/#comment-2048 Jen Wed, 27 Jan 2010 20:10:25 +0000 http://www.starvingofftheland.com/?p=2457#comment-2048 Not depleted - think of it as an annual cycle: x number of eggs in 365 days. They'll have a break (unless you resort to artificial lights etc) and start the cycle again. Well that's how I understand it. Hybrid layers just have a shorter break than your dual purpose or fancy breeds.They do eventually reach an age of senescense when the laying stops altogether. Then you've got yourself a stewing bird.I have found some low cal recipes, but not the desire to cook and eat them. Got any links to low cal Boston cream pies? Or fat-free Krispy Kremes? Not depleted – think of it as an annual cycle: x number of eggs in 365 days. They’ll have a break (unless you resort to artificial lights etc) and start the cycle again. Well that’s how I understand it. Hybrid layers just have a shorter break than your dual purpose or fancy breeds.

They do eventually reach an age of senescense when the laying stops altogether. Then you’ve got yourself a stewing bird.

I have found some low cal recipes, but not the desire to cook and eat them. Got any links to low cal Boston cream pies? Or fat-free Krispy Kremes?

]]> By: Tamarhttp://www.starvingofftheland.com/2010/01/26/the-chickens-in-winter/comment-page-1/#comment-2044 Tamar Wed, 27 Jan 2010 10:50:00 +0000 http://www.starvingofftheland.com/?p=2457#comment-2044 Mimi -- I know it's small comfort, but free range eggs cost even more than that out here.Paula -- You remember! I loved that picture.Jen -- So does that mean that, if our particular chickens lay like gangbusters when they're young, they're just depleted that much sooner? I'm not looking forward to sending them to the stewpot (although I'm committed to doing it). And, when you come up with all those low-caloried egg recipes, you'll let me know, won't you? Mimi — I know it’s small comfort, but free range eggs cost even more than that out here.

Paula — You remember! I loved that picture.

Jen — So does that mean that, if our particular chickens lay like gangbusters when they’re young, they’re just depleted that much sooner? I’m not looking forward to sending them to the stewpot (although I’m committed to doing it). And, when you come up with all those low-caloried egg recipes, you’ll let me know, won’t you?

]]> By: Jenhttp://www.starvingofftheland.com/2010/01/26/the-chickens-in-winter/comment-page-1/#comment-2040 Jen Tue, 26 Jan 2010 20:11:26 +0000 http://www.starvingofftheland.com/?p=2457#comment-2040 There's a set number of eggs in the system, which governs the final number you'll get in a year. As you rightly said when they start is dependent on age and health/environmental factors. Some hybrid layers have been bred to produce up to 300 eggs a year, but are only kept commercially for 1-2 years.The hybrid layer chicks I bought in this year are just starting to reach maturity and the nest box is full again - I have 5 dozen eggs to find recipes for now. Low-cal recipes. It seems a waste not to put them in cakes and rich sauces. There’s a set number of eggs in the system, which governs the final number you’ll get in a year. As you rightly said when they start is dependent on age and health/environmental factors. Some hybrid layers have been bred to produce up to 300 eggs a year, but are only kept commercially for 1-2 years.

The hybrid layer chicks I bought in this year are just starting to reach maturity and the nest box is full again – I have 5 dozen eggs to find recipes for now. Low-cal recipes. It seems a waste not to put them in cakes and rich sauces.

]]> By: Paulahttp://www.starvingofftheland.com/2010/01/26/the-chickens-in-winter/comment-page-1/#comment-2039 Paula Tue, 26 Jan 2010 18:19:15 +0000 http://www.starvingofftheland.com/?p=2457#comment-2039 I think it might be because of that wonderful afternoon when he fell asleep on the porch and they trotted into the house. They're still just really grateful for that visit.... I think it might be because of that wonderful afternoon when he fell asleep on the porch and they trotted into the house. They’re still just really grateful for that visit….

]]> By: Mimihttp://www.starvingofftheland.com/2010/01/26/the-chickens-in-winter/comment-page-1/#comment-2038 Mimi Tue, 26 Jan 2010 17:32:23 +0000 http://www.starvingofftheland.com/?p=2457#comment-2038 I'll envy you all over again each time I pay $3.65/dozen for free-range eggs here in Bend! I’ll envy you all over again each time I pay $3.65/dozen for free-range eggs here in Bend!

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