Eggs for food vs eggs for chicks...sound off please

[BigBlueHen53]

BigBlue, I assume they do, however, they probably have not had to think about it in years. Milk no longer comes from udders. It comes from convenient plastic containers. Eggs don't come from chickens, or ever get dirty. They are perfectly clean, and come in egg cartons. Butter comes in a tub, or square carton with wrapped sticks. Steaks, roasts, hamburger, stew beef, come from foam trays, as do most other meats. It's been this way for years. Any thoughts on how it got there involves it being on a refrigerated truck, and stock clerks moving it from the trucks to the shelves. Like I said, far too many people are too far removed from their food sources today.

You're right. It was certainly eye-opening for me when this city girl went to live, with her DH, on a dairy farm. But far from being repulsed, I found it miraculous and magical. Guess everybody doesn't... but that's their option.

 

[ValerieJ]

Don't know with whom or when the " Don't Eat Fertilized Eggs " started, but it is ridiculous! Well then, Don't drink milk cause that's an UTTER EXCRETION! Don't eat Honey cause that's Bee VOMIT! Don't eat Organic Vegetables because they are Fertilized with COW POOP! Don't eat Cheese because it made with BACTERIA and MOLD! Don't eat Mushrooms because they are FUNGUS! Don't drink Spring Water because Animals POOP IN THE WOODS! Don't eat Imported Asian Rice because the People who pick it, POOP IN THE PADDY'S! I'm sure there are others Stupid Reasons not to eat some this or that. SILLY PEOPLE...JJ

Don't know with whom or when the " Don't Eat Fertilized Eggs " started, but it is ridiculous! Well then, Don't drink milk cause that's an UTTER EXCRETION! Don't eat Honey cause that's Bee VOMIT! Don't eat Organic Vegetables because they are Fertilized with COW POOP! Don't eat Cheese because it made with BACTERIA and MOLD! Don't eat Mushrooms because they are FUNGUS! Don't drink Spring Water because Animals POOP IN THE WOODS! Don't eat Imported Asian Rice because the People who pick it, POOP IN THE PADDY'S! I'm sure there are others Stupid Reasons not to eat some this or that. SILLY PEOPLE...JJ

That's all pretty funny JJ. But, as you make me think about it, I may not eat Asian rice again.

 

[Harmony Fowl]

I think you've gotten great perspectives so far, to which I would only add that you should remain flexible. It's good to have a plan, but don't let it be set in stone. How many, what kind, how often, what time of year, which goals, what space, all these things can and do change for all kinds of reasons. In 2.5 years of keeping chickens, my plans have changed so many times. Those more experienced have settled into goals and strategies, but yours will likely change as you learn about keeping chickens and find out what matters to you. I have 20+ hens at all times, so I thought I'd keep a couple roosters, in case one got picked off free ranging, I'd hatch chicks year round and sell them. Then I learned the hard way that a nice rooster is better than the physically preferable one that attacks people, no one wanted my mixed chicks, which were too hard to raise in deep winter anyway, and even with all those hens, two roosters ended up being too hard on the hens. I found breeds I wanted that I hadn't even known existed, but I had to keep my real goal, providing eggs and meat for my family, in my direct line of sight. And my plans had to change. It sounds like you're on a good track, just enjoy them and learn and don't focus in too strongly on one plan for the time being.

 

[Beccazon]

I think you've gotten great perspectives so far, to which I would only add that you should remain flexible. It's good to have a plan, but don't let it be set in stone. How many, what kind, how often, what time of year, which goals, what space, all these things can and do change for all kinds of reasons. In 2.5 years of keeping chickens, my plans have changed so many times. Those more experienced have settled into goals and strategies, but yours will likely change as you learn about keeping chickens and find out what matters to you. I have 20+ hens at all times, so I thought I'd keep a couple roosters, in case one got picked off free ranging, I'd hatch chicks year round and sell them. Then I learned the hard way that a nice rooster is better than the physically preferable one that attacks people, no one wanted my mixed chicks, which were too hard to raise in deep winter anyway, and even with all those hens, two roosters ended up being too hard on the hens. I found breeds I wanted that I hadn't even known existed, but I had to keep my real goal, providing eggs and meat for my family, in my direct line of sight. And my plans had to change. It sounds like you're on a good track, just enjoy them and learn and don't focus in too strongly on one plan for the time being.

Great points! And yup I started with a plan. Then thought I should get more info. Now just during this thread have changed plans twice lol. I am glad to have many points of view to entertain and equally as glad to know at least a point or two of mine were similar to others'!

Heck, when we started this fowl thing it was a duckling that my hubby said, "looked at me and wants to come home". Yah ok buddy! Lmbo well we picked 2 then 4 then chicks then more chicks then 3 more ducks and the plan for the coop/run changed no less than 5 times! Flock has been separated to chicks n ducks, then added the banties, removed cockerels, readded one cockerel and changed the coop again! That's just in 4 months! So I can appreciate and respect the idea of flexibility! AND THANK GOODNESS FOR BYC!

I can proudly say Pride, who is my chosen flock cockerel, successfully won over Raven this morning, with his dance, and mated like a gentleman too. She did her little shake things into place dance after and they happily ate some feed! The other two cockerels in gheir separate pen were NOT amused. But now I know I made the right choice and pray he remains a good choice.

 

[aart]

And yup I started with a plan. Then thought I should get more info. Now just during this thread have changed plans twice lol.

Keepers Plan....the Chicken Gods Laugh!!

Just stay flexible and you'll make it thru....Observe and Adjust!

 

[Beccazon]

Keepers Plan....the Chicken Gods Laugh!!

Just stay flexible and you'll make it thru....Observe and Adjust!

That's gonna be my motto now! "Observe and Adjust"...credit aart love it!

 

[chkncrazy]

I am not talking about sneaking food items that make someone sick. That's not good. I don't mind people having their personal preferences. I have several friends that won't eat pork. My cousin won't buy, or eat commercially farmed meat. She does eat fish. She's like a vegetarian when we go to a restaurant, unless they have fish. Funny thing is, she will eat the meats I process. She claims that my chickens have it made in the shade as long as they're alive, and they're healthy. She knows I process humanely, and that anything I use during processing is clean, and sanitary. She has no qualms with that.

Ditto this is what I mean, why not my eggs over store bought.... I respect preferences as well too, and the sneaking Is not right, and like the other member said, people have become way too far removed where the meat butter eggs and poultry come from, most of us process humanely etc but ppl choose to eat from stores cause they think it's "cleaner" that's why I tell them to watch videos such as "battery hens" and how factory farmed animals are raised in deplorable conditions, not all I'm sure but most, I'm not gonna get into it but I wish I could remember the documentary that showed it... Also I've worked in it years ago and saw it with my eyes. That's why I lovvve spoiling my Animals and eating clean and fresh etc..... You guys are all great and so informative too!!!!

 

[chkncrazy]

As for plans HA , I DID the raise the chick thing to sell, the the market got too diluted, and my product was no longer in high demand.. This was 10 years or so back when EVERYONE started figuring out our secret of keeping chickens , we guarded for over 20 years, then the novelty wore off for folks, such as myself keeping chickens since I was 12 I've learned never to get rid of the coop, I'll have em for 5 years then college came I got rid of them for a year or two, then I got settled got them again, new job blah blah plans always change .... I used to keep ATLEAST 12 HENS. Then chicken math I've gotten up to 40... So many breeds. BUT having 20 dozen eggs at any given time was alot, I tried selling eggs but I work, gave soooo many away... Now I have 5 white Leghorns and it's perfect. ....for now thank goodness for you guys

 

[Beccazon]

As for plans HA , I DID the raise the chick thing to sell, the the market got too diluted, and my product was no longer in high demand.. This was 10 years or so back when EVERYONE started figuring out our secret of keeping chickens , we guarded for over 20 years, then the novelty wore off for folks, such as myself keeping chickens since I was 12 I've learned never to get rid of the coop, I'll have em for 5 years then college came I got rid of them for a year or two, then I got settled got them again, new job blah blah plans always change .... I used to keep ATLEAST 12 HENS. Then chicken math I've gotten up to 40... So many breeds. BUT having 20 dozen eggs at any given time was alot, I tried selling eggs but I work, gave soooo many away... Now I have 5 white Leghorns and it's perfect. ....for now thank goodness for you guys

This is awesome! Yes my new little addiction is likely to kick my butt sooner than later...with egg numbers for sure! But in my area we are lucky to have several amish and mennonite stores (one is HUGE and also deals in bulk) who purchase local eggs. Not that I won't surely be eating quiches and egg salad like daily vitamins haha! Hoping before long I will settle on a breed or two I like best and just focus on that lol.

 

[chkncrazy]

This is awesome! Yes my new little addiction is likely to kick my butt sooner than later...with egg numbers for sure! But in my area we are lucky to have several amish and mennonite stores (one is HUGE and also deals in bulk) who purchase local eggs. Not that I won't surely be eating quiches and egg salad like daily vitamins haha! Hoping before long I will settle on a breed or two I like best and just focus on that lol.

Omg eggs like daily vitamins, your not joking, at one point I found a way to integrate eggs into everything I cooked. Then I knew that I was having surgery and got rid of them for a year..... I had NOT ONE egg the whole time. Lol it was like a detox....your lucky you have buyers around.