Holding back eggs in anticipation of molt

[Ext 918]

Does anyone hold back eggs in anticipation of decreased laying during molting?

Right now I'm getting 12 a day and have more than enough to share / give away. However, I don't want short myself during a lean time.

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

Yes I usually get stingy in the fall.

 

[RubelliteRose]

We also tell everyone that we won't be giving away as many whole eggs starting in the fall. I need eggs for holiday baking and eggnog! Friends and family will just be getting their eggs in an alternate form

 

[Mrs. K]

Water glassing, I currently have 3 gallons of eggs tucked away - approximately 9 dozen. I just set up a gallon on my counter and add 3-4 a day till full.

If you have at least some young chickens, you might get a few in the dark days of winter...those are for pan frying or poaching. My stored eggs are for baking or scrambled eggs.

Last year, I made it through without buying eggs once...to my DH disappointment, he loves to tease me when I have a coop of hens and eggs on the grocery market list!

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Molt sneaked up on me! But it seems to have been a quick, soft molt and I'm getting up to 10 eggs a day again already (up from 3, 4, and once, only 1!). However, short days are coming and I'm going to be hoarding. I might try freezing and/ or drying this year. I did not care for the water-glassed eggs from last year.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Every late summer/early fall I begin hoarding as soon as I notice birds beginning to molt and laying slowing down. I'm not at capacity yet but fairly close, and as long as I can fill up the containers in my fridge I should have no issue getting through winter with the eggs on hand.

 

[Ext 918]

I hadn't considered long term storage. I read somewhere that coating in mineral oil is also a good method.