News From the Silkie Shack

This morning as we were boarding the mini-van to drop the kids off and head to work, Travis was over by the Silkie pen and I could tell by the way he was reaching in and by the look on his face that we finally had our first Silkie egg!  Honestly, I was beginning to think this day would never come considering we started our flock with our Silkies back in June.  We're not sure if this first egg came from Peanut or Marilyn, but one is sure to follow the other since they are about the same age. 

Meet Peanut...

And, Marilyn...

Here's a couple photos comparing the Silkie egg (smallest) to a regular egg and a double-yolker (largest).  Since Silkie eggs are fun-sized, I think we'll sell those for $1.50/dozen once the rest of the girls start laying in April.

I thought I'd introduce you to Brooke (Bert) since he's the man of the shack.

Here's Brooke as a little chick... he's standing so proudly, maybe we should have known he was the main man the whole time!

 

Here's Brooke now...

And, last but not least, the majority of this spoiled crew cuddled up under their heat lamp for the night...

Will Hens Lay Eggs Without a Rooster?

I was asked this question the other night by our waitress while out for dinner.  Although it may seem obvious, I must admit that I wondered the same thing before I researched the ins and outs of raising chickens.  I'm not quite sure how the subject of chickens came up, but it seems to be a common conversation I'm having lately.  Not only did our waitress give me the idea for this blog post, but she bought a dozen eggs which we dropped off at the restaurant the next morning for her...double bonus!  Thanks, Darla. 

The answer, you ask?  No, you do not need a roo to have eggs.  Just like human women, hens don't need a roo to ovulate.  However, if you want to hatch baby chicks, you will need a roo to fertilize the eggs you plan to incubate.  This fact is particularly eggceptional for those living in cities and towns where they are allowed to have a few backyard hens to supply their family with eggs.  They get the all the benefits of the fresh eggs without all the noise.  I'm quite certain the neighbors will be grateful there isn't a roo around too! 

We don't have a roo in our big hen house since we don't plan to hatch our own chicks.  We decided it was best to avoid having a roo since they can be a bit temperamental (and loud).  I didn't want to have to worry about the kids getting chased or bitten by a territorial roo! 

We do have one Silkie roo.  We thought he was a she and by the time we figured out she was actually a he, we were attached and decided he could stay.  Brooke, who Travis now calls Bert, is a bit bossy and dominating.  He keeps the Silkie hens in check and stomps around & crows often to let everyone know he rules the roost.  I must say that I am looking forward to spring so our Silkies can be moved from the garage to the backyard.  Brooke even crows in response to the boys' whines and cries.  The garage is a bit too close for comfort!  I may even let some of our Silkie hens sit on their eggs if they seem interested.  It might be fun to see how they do managing their brood. 

DONUTS!!!

This morning Travis & I made his family's take on the classic glazed donut.  These donuts are so delicious and sweet and fluffy and crispy and simple and addicting and delicious....oh wait, I said that already...did I mention that these donuts are delicious?!?!?!  We usually make 20 donuts and they are gone before we even have the chance to clean up the mess.  They are the perfect addition to a lazy Sunday morning and remind me of down-home country cookin'! 

I thought we'd share our secrets, so your family can be tempted to add a delectable donut or two to your waistline...

What you'll need:
Pillsbury Buttermilk Biscuits (Pack of 10)- We suggest 2 packs...1 just isn't enough.
Oil to fry them in, my dear (We use peanut oil, but vegetable oil works too).

Glaze Ingredients
Powdered Sugar
Milk
Vanilla
Start out with some powdered sugar in a mixing bowl.  Whisk in milk until the consistency is that of a glaze (it'll be pretty runny).  Add a splash of vanilla...whisk it in...and SHABAM!  Who needs measurements?!?!?

*Travis wanted me to remind you to make your glaze and set up your dunking station before you begin frying the donuts.  Dunking while the donuts are still warm means you get to eat them while they are still warm and that's the only way to do it...period.  You won't want to make more than you'll eat that day, they aren't good keepers.

Open your biscuits and pop holes in the center with your finger.  No need to discard any dough, just press and shape it into the donut shape.

Drop them in the fryer (we use our dutch oven)...flip 'em around until they are golden brown.  We had our stove set at medium heat.  You know your oil (1/2-3/4" deep) is ready when bubbles form around a toothpick when you poke it in the center of the oil.  The oil should NOT be smoking.

Scoop 'em out and lay them on paper towel for a few seconds...

  Pick 'em up with a stick (I use a shish-ka-bob skewer) and dunk them in the sugary sweet glaze!

Set them on end while the glaze sets...

At this point, your donuts will start to disappear rapidly. 

Be sure to wash them down with some milk! 



Which Came First, the Chicken or the Egg?

How many times throughout your life have you heard/made reference to this question?  I came across an article at NYDailyNews.com that offers an answer from scientists in England who claim to have solved the mystery. 

The Answer?  Drum roll please... THE CHICKEN! 

Researchers wrote in a recently published report that it all comes down to one protein - ovocledidin-17 - which helps in the formation of the egg's hard shell.  This essential ingredient in the formation of the egg can only be produced inside a chicken, scientists from universities in Sheffield and Warwick concluded.

I am so relieved.  I've always suspected it was the chicken, but I was just getting my information from God.

Genesis 1:21-22 
21 And God created great whales, and every living creature that moveth, which the waters brought forth abundantly, after their kind, and every winged fowl after his kind: and God saw that [it was] good.

22 And God blessed them, saying, Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let fowl multiply in the earth. 

And, if The Bible doesn't offer a good enough explanation for ya' ...maybe Sesame Street's Here Is Your Life (Carton of Eggs) will.

Hello Pretty!

This is Pretty, one of our Australorps.  I love her temperament and her big beautiful eyes!  She's a great layer (large brown eggs) and she's not too feisty. Her sister, who we call Pretty's Sister (pathetic, I know), is shy and sweet.  Our Australorps have proven to be great picks for our backyard flock!

One of my favorite things about Pretty... The feathers atop her head flow together at the peak, kinda' like the greaser styles of the 50's.  Maybe I should have named her Sandra Dee or Rizzo?! 

How do they do that?!?!

Ever seen a hen lay an egg?  Here's a video that takes you up close and personal.  Kinda' resembles child birth...don't ya' think?!

Eggs: To Wash or Not to Wash?

Most eggs that are purchased at the local grocery store come from large producers who wash & sanitize eggs before they go to market. Unfortunately, this process removes the natural protective bloom (a.k.a. cuticle) or covering that coats the egg just before it is laid. The bloom seals the pores of the eggshell and protects the inside from bacteria while reducing moisture loss from the egg. Some producers lightly coat the eggs with an edible mineral oil to mimic the natural bloom after the sanitization process, often giving the eggs a shiny appearance.

It's not possible for large production facilities to monitor the health and wellness of each and every hen, so they have to wash & sanitize the eggs. Buying eggs from a local producer often ensures that the natural bloom is still intact when the eggs go home with you.

Since I've always been one to trust God's ingenuity & I know the health of our hens, we only lightly rinse soiled Happy Hen eggs with warm water before packaging them. Oftentimes, the eggs are perfect straight out of the hen and require little to no rinsing which guards the integrity of the natural bloom. To support safe handling practices, you should rinse your farm fresh eggs just before use.