Arizona Chickens

[cluckin_crazy]

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I have 2 but they are only a year old. I think in February I spotted a blossom, but it was gone before it got big enough to make a positive I.D. The friend that I got them from has a fruiting tree, but it's so old that you may not want to graft it..

 

[gckiddhouse]

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I have an Oster egg cooker. You poke a hole in the bottom of the egg and "steam-boil" them to soft, medium or hard. You just put the eggs in, fill to the desired water level, push the button and wait about 10 mins. It'll do poached too (only 4 at a time).
They're a breeze to peel this way. You can only cook 8 at a time, though.

There is another way! Can't remember which "chicken forum" I learned this one on. . . .but it works.

Bring a large pot of water to a boil. . . . insert (fresh) eggs. . ...boil for14 minutes, immerse immediatly in ice water. . . .they peel beautifully. . . .I have been doing this for a long time now. . . .have had one egg (and only one) that did not peel beautifully. . . . .

I never seem to get this right! I have tried several ways. So do you put room temp eggs in the boiling water, or refrigerated eggs? My SIL gets it right every time. I do what she says to do, but it never works. I get some that peel and some that don't. Someone said salt water. I usually salt the water. Does this help?

We keep our eggs on the counter until we get a dozen and then put them in the fridge. Right now, with only two hens laying, that takes a while. Do you all keep your eggs in the fridge? Put them there right away? We keep the house pretty cool. I really want an egg skelter!! I really really really want one. http://www.egg-skelter.co.uk/ I just love the idea of having them out on the counter. They are so pretty. They have to come from the UK or Australia (via Ebay). Would anyone else be interested in one? It would sure save shipping cost to order more than one.

On the baby front: things are progressing sloooowwwwly.

And btw, to add to the rooster madness, I have 7. One of them is a purebred BWA from Mahonri's flock. We really like him. He has a great personality. Don't know if I can bring myself to do him in. Anyone ever butcher young roosters and serve like a game hen? One per family member? I just don't want to feed them anymore and I need room for those polish pullets!!

 

[LarryPQ]

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Yup--sometimes I just do 3 or 4 in the crockpot/broiling pan. I also have a bunch of MFC roos I need to take care of. TEEENY little buggers, but still bigger than a quail.

ETA: you can fit 3 nicely in a gallon freezer bag. Makes for easy portion control.

 

[squeakyballs]

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I did that for Easter and it worked perfectly. I've never had eggs (old or new) peel so easily. However, I also added a tablespoon of salt and a tablespoon of baking soda to the water just to cover all my bases.

 

[gckiddhouse]

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I did that for Easter and it worked perfectly. I've never had eggs (old or new) peel so easily. However, I also added a tablespoon of salt and a tablespoon of baking soda to the water just to cover all my bases.

What does that do?

 

[a2ms4chickens]

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This always works for me, too.

Well, my RIR banty hen is still broody after a few days. We are collecting my DS's showbird eggs and plan on putting them under her this weekend. So excited!!

I have 26, 2 1/2 week old Buckeye chicks, and 2, 3 week old EE's in a brooder. Last night, I went to close the lid on the brooder for the night, and one of the EE's was roosting on the side of the brooder box, asleep. It was not happy when I woke it up to put it inside the brooder. It looked sooo cute, but I couldn't believe it was roosting at such a young age.

Good luck on everyone's hatches!

Angie

 

[cap1717]

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There are a couple of big old fruiting mulberries on the property where i work. . . .they make a HUGE mess. . . .birds eat the fruit and poop black all over the walkways and patios. . . .have you thought this through? if so, and you want a branch I can most likely cut one (or many) for you. . . .let me know. . . .

 

[LarryPQ]

Carol-

I LOVELOVELOVE mulberries, every house I every lived in as a child had them. If I can get it to take as a graft--or even plant a little one from seed, I can keep it under control. If nothing else, I could nub it out to a bush every winter.

Sounds like your workplace needs a small flock of chicken vaccuums.

 

[tofuranch]

Well the silkie hen is still broody....she is so young that I didn't think that she would stay broody but still is so I just stuck some eggs within her reach and she sucked them right under her in a second. I stuck just some of my prettiest eggs that I collected today. We are going to see what happens. My son and I have the hatching thing down in the incubator, now to do it the more natural way. It is going to be a long but short 21 days.

 

[cap1717]

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I'll be happy to bring you some cuttings, and will keep an eye out for some young seedlings that can be transplanted. . .. .if you would send me your address, I could drop them off after work, either tomorrow or next week sometime. . . . .I work near 16th street and Glendale, so it can't be too far to your place. . . . .Carol