The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[RedRidge]

I sold thirteen dozen eggs on Tuesday! Egg production really picked up. Washed another four dozen today.

Just curious but is there a really cheap way to wash lots of eggs? So far I wash them one at a time and use a bottle brush when needed. I typically only wash before using. But it would be nice to save time and wash a dozen or two at once.

Why would you wash them? I sell thousands of eggs for eating and all of my customers know I don't wash them and they prefer it that way. It washes away the good flora. The customers wash them as they use them.

 

[SallyinIndiana]

Well the duck ones are quite dirty and sometimes the chicken ones are dirty enough I would not want to pass them on without washing. I wash either before using or before putting in the fridge.

 

[delisha]

Ducks are awful about pooping in the nest..you have to clean nests out daily..disgusting.

 

[SallyinIndiana]

Ducks are awful about pooping in the nest..you have to clean nests out daily..disgusting.

I only have 2 but they don't even lay in the same place for more than a couple days in a row. Right now it is not too hard to find the daily egg as the snow keeps them inside most of the day. But it will be my children's job to go on egg hunts this summer.

 

[RedRidge]

Ah... No ducks here. Just chickens and guineas. And I'd pay someone to shoot the guineas. Lol Hate those critters. But they do serve a purpose, we no longer have a tick problem. Although I have discovered nests with more than 60 eggs in them, usually only about half hatch.

 

[mlowen]

I love the idea of asking them to return the shells.  Never would have thought of that!

I always tell them "if it's not too much hassle." I have been very pleasantly surprised...almost every one returns the shells. I have a friend who buys eggs from the family down her road, and she saves the shells for me, too.

 

[armorfirelady]

Quote: Thats a great idea. I think it wouldn't be worth the effort tho. I am happy they return the egg cartons

 

[SallyinIndiana]

Quote:
my main egg buyer noticed me saving the shell so she went and searched the internet for shell uses. I'm positive she is now gardening with them and using them as tiny seed starters. But I have asked others if they wanted to save the shells for me and the response was about the same, strange looks and won't they smell before I can get them back to you.

 

[HollyDuckFarmer]

Put the shells in a ziplock in the freezer.

 

[lazy gardener]

An egg shell won't smell, unless it's put in an anaerobic situation.

Re: cutting cost corners when raising children. Kids grow so fast that they sometimes outgrow an outfit before they get a chance to wear it. Used or borrowed saves a lot of money, both clothing and baby furniture. Breast feeding... you can't get any more cost effective, or time efficient than that. No formula to buy, no bottles to buy or wash. You don't have to worry about what kind of nipple to buy... It's always the right temperature and flavor! Home made baby food... Have you ever tried the stuff in those little bottles that masquerades as baby food? Neither my kids or my grand kids would touch the stuff. One of the wisest investments I ever made in the way of baby food prep was a "smart stick" (immersion blender). Baby can eat what ever is on the adult menu... for the most part, after initial trials to test for food allergies. sorry... no one asked for advice... every once or twice in a while I venture an opinion, when none is asked!