 |
| off to the zoo |
As the season continued its unstoppable march toward
completion, we found ourselves at a point where we could finally take steps to
resolve the “issues of the henhouse”.
 |
| catching hens before daylight |
We headed out before first light and began the task of sorting
the hens into two groups. Once the sorting was done, the oldest ones headed out
on a one-way trip to the Zoo. Now, this is probably some sort of “ageist
discrimination”, and someone will probably find fault with it... it really
does seem the best solution to the situation we found ourselves facing with the hens.
But, first, a little HEN 101 might be in order.
Laying hens generally start laying eggs between 18 and 22
weeks of age. (that’s about 5 months) Egg production will stay steady for the next
year or so.
A hen produces ONE egg approximately every 26 hours. That
cartoon vision of a hen on a pile of eggs that just keep coming is strictly a
figment of imagination.
Egg production is greatly affected by the hen’s age, the
hours of daylight, the weather and amount of protein in the ration. However, in
our operation, we have found age to be the deciding factor. Once the hens reach
two years, egg production drops dramatically. In some cases, it stops
altogether. And, if you are in the business of selling eggs...this can’t be
good.
In addition to decreased egg production, the shells of the
eggs become thinner and more fragile. This leads to damaged, broken eggs which
cannot be sold.
And, while most customers find this truly incredible...the
hens EAT those broken eggs! (some old hens develop such a taste for eggs that
they just stay in the nestboxes looking for tasty treats as the productive hens
lay their eggs)
Once “old age” is reached and production drops off, nothing
can reverse it. No changes in light or diet or thinking positive
thoughts...it’s just the end.
While it may make me sound heartless, there is no place on
the farm for animals that can no longer do their job. However, this leaves us
with a dilemma. Since we raise broilers, we don’t need the meat. (and honestly,
processing old hens is a nasty job) Selling them is not without its own issues.
What to do with a bunch of old biddies?
The local zoo is happy to get the free protein for the big
cats and the large reptiles. They even allow us a free pass to visit and
photograph the animals. So, we get a little fieldtrip and the zoo animals get a
few meals. Seems like a win-win deal to me!
 |
| flamingo |
 |
| baby zebra |
 |
| burmese python |
 |
| cassowary |
 |
| elephant |
 |
| giraffe |
 |
| monkey |
 |
| oryx |
We have decided we should make a “chicken dinner delivery”
to the zoo on an annual basis. Theoretically, this will keep the “issues of the
henhouse” under control. I’m hoping it
will work out to take the grand-minions along next time. I am certain the
little guys would have a blast!
And, while egg numbers are still low (those days are still
getting shorter) we no longer have 50-some non-productive hens to feed,
reducing the feed bill considerably. How
to keep all our winter egg customers happy during the winter may be a
challenge, but the little girls should start laying sometime after the first of
the year.
And, just like that...it was time for the last Market day of
2016...
 |
| final 2016 Market |
I’ll be perfectly honest here, I have never been so glad to see the end of the season. Ordinarily, the
last day is a little bittersweet. That vendor luncheon at the Depot Grille is
just a little poignant. Not so, this year. I’m pretty sure I was not the only
one heaving a great big sigh of relief.
But, we’re done. We completed another year. Season #19 (for
us) is history. We can put 2016 behind us and look forward to Opening Day
2017...April 1st. (no foolin’!) It’s time to re-group, re-charge and
maybe even RELAX.
 |
| You can't even tell the Market was here... |
Except, Thanksgiving is fast approaching.
THANKSGIVING!
...that means I need
to start cleaning and cooking and collectively we need to pick up the lamb
chops and finish up that “interesting project” ...
 |
| the "interesting" project continues... got any guesses? |
Thanks for stopping by!
 |
| November skies |
 |
| change in the weather |
 |
| definitely FALL |
Hope you’re having a
Happy
Sunday!
Come back and visit again real soon.
 |
| not to put too fine a point on the END of the season... but, we had SNOW flurries this morning! |
Check out the Boss' photos of the Market! https://www.facebook.com/stauntonfarmersmkt/photos/pcb.10154459761981141/10154459727656141/?type=3&theater
We awoke to snow accumulation this morning as well. I have to laugh, when you wrote that your chickens were going to take a trip to the zoo I thought it was some sort of euphemism. It didn't actually think you meant they would be going to a zoo! (although, ultimately it is the same ending). -Jenn
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of the zoo Barbara - all very productive for all concerned.
ReplyDeleteI am glad for you that Market is over for another year and that you have both enjoyed it and survived it. Now you can really have a bit of a rest - at least on Thanksgiving. As to that project - I can;t even hazard a guess.