California - Northern

[ronott1]

I found the method for using dehydrated eggs in baking:

1 Tablespoon of egg powder + 2 Tablespoons of water = 1 fresh egg

Use @PetRock 's instructions for dehydrating the eggs.

 

[tj74roberts]

That is completely normal. I have had a bunch of them do that.

okay, I wasn't sure and it kinda freaked me out a lil. No other ones do it. She is the one that got scalped by the others at a young age and she's kinda special anyway. Thanks so much

 

[HighStreetCoop]

So winter is coming...
What is the best way to freeze eggs?
Or should I make my Christmas cookie dough now??

Somebody probably already answered this, but if not ... you want to whip them first and then freeze them in an ice cube tray. I like the silicone ones as it's easy to remove them once they're frozen and but them into a freezer bag.

 

[HighStreetCoop]

I'm about to triple the size of my secure run. Currently my birds have 55 sq ft, which mostly seemed like enough until several went broody and we added chicks to the mix. Now the chicks are 7 weeks old and the run is just TOO FULL. Most of the chicks are going away on Friday (assuming I can catch them; man broody-raised chicks are WILD*) but I'm sure this will come up again in the future.

So I'm going to expand to 143 sq ft, with a pen that can be divided into 3 areas as needed, which will make the introduction of new birds easier and will also allow me to pen off any of the birds that need a time out from the others for any reason.

*I'm going to attempt to grab them at night and put them in a crate for pick up on Friday. Keep your fingers crossed for me.

 

[PetRock]

I found the method for using dehydrated eggs in baking:

1 Tablespoon of egg powder + 2 Tablespoons of water = 1 fresh egg

Use @PetRock 's instructions for dehydrating the eggs.

Thank you, Ron. It is easy to dehydrate eggs. I tried several different methods including both the cooked and the raw methods. I settled on the raw method. I have a 5 tray Excalibur. I make parchment paper "trays" with turned up edges and place 1 on top of the screen on each tray. Then for each tray I blend/whip 6 eggs in my mixer until they are light and fluffy. I tried just blending them until the yolks and whites were mixed but they took a long time to dehydrate and didn't dehydrate evenly. By whipping air into them, they aren't as runny on the tray and dehydrate more evenly. I set my dehydrator to 135 to 145 degrees and in 6-8 hr the eggs are dehydrated. Then I put the dried eggs in the blender or food processor and blend them until they are fine crumbs. I have seen different ratios for re-hydrating them. I need to do some experimenting to see which one works the best with my egg powder.

 

[Happy Chooks]

We have so many eggs all year, it's a shame to be out when you need them most

That is why you hatch every year, first year pullets normally lay through winter.

Quote: Yep, normal.

 

[tj74roberts]

That is why you hatch every year, first year pullets normally lay through winter.

Yep, normal.

Thanks @HappyChooks

 

[HighStreetCoop]

Quote:
That's very cool.

 

[h2oratt]

That is why you hatch every year, first year pullets normally lay through winter.

Yep, normal.

So my pullets that were born april 30 should lay through winter?

 

[ronott1]

So my pullets that were born april 30 should lay through winter?

If they start laying eggs before mid October, they usually lay through the winter and molt the next fall--1.5 years instead of 1. The second winter they will not lay the same but some breeds will keep laying. Those breeds are winter layers, Rocks and some others. You can check the hendersons chicken chart--look for a snow flake in the breed description.

http://www.sagehenfarmlodi.com/chooks/chooks.html

Buckeye is the first breed listed that is a winter layer.