Some duck breeds lay as well as chicken breeds. However, ducks kept mainly for meat or ornamental purposes do not lay nearly as well as those that have been selectively bred for their laying ability. Below is a look at how many eggs you can expect each duck breed to lay per year. How Many […]
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By Cackle Hatchery Here at Cackle Hatchery® we are constantly fielding questions from our customers. Below are answers to 17 of the most common questions we hear about chickens and eggs. Why do chickens lay eggs? Chickens lay eggs to reproduce more chickens. However, unless a rooster is present, the eggs won’t be fertile and […]
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How old can eggs get— if they aren’t deliberately preserved — is a question facing archeologist investigating a 1,700 year old egg discovered in England. The shell is still intact and CT scans show the egg contains liquid, possibly consisting of the original yolk and albumen. Where did this egg come from? The egg’s contents […]
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The internet is rife with photographs of eggs from chickens and other poultry that have black shells. Are they a trick of the imagination? Poor photographic lighting? Or true poultry eggs with inky shells? If so, which poultry breed lays a black egg? Maybe Ducks Among ducks, the Cayuga sometimes lays eggs with black shells. […]
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The Runner duck is an ancient breed known in the East Indies for at least 2,000 years. Its excellence lies in being a terrific layer that’s agile enough to easily herd over long distances. Runner ducks were traditionally kept in pens overnight. After the hens laid their eggs in the morning, the ducks were herded […]
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Homegrown eggs are so tasty they are unlikely to sit around long enough to spoil. However, eggs do occasionally go off. Every chicken keeper should know how to tell a good egg from a bad egg. Why an Egg Goes Bad A bad egg is generally one that has been contaminated, rendering it inedible or […]
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Egg whites may be whipped to as much as eight times their original volume. Whipping not only adds air to the whites but causes the proteins to bond, giving strength to the foam. These few tips on how to whip egg whites will help you get the best results. Fresh Eggs A fresh egg has […]
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As exciting as it is to get new chicks in spring, even more exciting is finding their first eggs in the fall. As your pullets grow, you’ll naturally wonder when to expect your chickens to starting laying eggs. The answer depends on their state of health, their diet, their breed, and their age. Health A […]
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Although the age at which hens start laying eggs depends on many factors, the ultimate factor is the breed. Some breeds mature fast and start laying as early as 4 months of age, while others mature more slowly and start laying much later. Below are just a few of the many chicken breeds, along with […]
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Many things affect an egg’s shell color, texture, and strength. Among them are improper nutrition, environmental stress, age, and disease. Let’s look at some of the most common reasons why chickens lay eggs with abnormal shells. Poor Nutrition Improper nutrition can cause hens to lay eggs with soft shells or thin shells that crack easily. […]
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