Yeah, I had a timer that popped the lights on at 5:30am, then turned them off at 8am. . then turned them back on at 4:30pm and kept them on til 6pm or so. That timer was a lifesaver. I think at the highest number I had 24 hens and would get from 20 to 26 eggs per day (someone was double laying somewhere). I was giving them away to family. . I won't have that many again. I think I want a flock of about 5 or 6 this time. Rhode Island Reds and Americanas.. . brown and blue eggs. Throw in two Ideal 286 hybrids and have white ones too. =) Instant easter eggs. I love farm eggs. I hated having to go back to store eggs. I've been going through a lot of eggs lately and it'd be nice if I could just go outside and get them. Hopefully in a few months. . .although finding layers in winter won't be easy.
Keeping a small flock of hens is a good idea if you can do it legally. They are great at bug control and they love peelings, potatoe, apple, melon rinds, etc. But make sure you have a secure hen house for them-fox can decimate your flock -and have a plan in mind to deal with the rodent problems. Chicken feed attracts rodents.
I'll never forget when I was 13 years old, we visited cousins in Oregon. My aunt asked her daughter to go get eggs. I said, "can I come" and I proceeded to head for the car while she proceeded to head for the hen house!
[quote="novacaine24"]I thought I was the only one having fits - I came home from the grocery yesterday after I paid 4.89 for 30 eggs!! :quote]
somehow I just don't see 16 cents per egg as being unreasonable. They raise the hen, feed the hen, get the egg, wash it, pack it and get it to the grocery store.
I wouldn't do that for 16 cents, would you?
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