15 facts about hens and their eggs
This hen went broody (meaning she felt the need to sit on eggs for an extended time) until her chicks hatched. Sometimes the hens will lay on eggs that are not fertilized. If a hen has been laying on eggs for more than 3 weeks and no chicks hatch…we get rid of those eggs.
Female chickens are hens. Male chickens are Roosters.
The color of a hen’s eggs is determined by the breed.
Chickens can still lay eggs even if there is no rooster.
Hens may lay fertilized eggs, but the chick inside won’t grow if it is not incubated. Your chances of getting an egg with a noticeably growing chick is pretty rare.
Some farmers would “candle” eggs. This is where they would hold a candle to the egg so they could see anything inside the egg
Hens lay an average of 250 eggs per year
It takes 24-26 hours for an egg to form
Hens need adequate light to produce eggs.
Our hens lay eggs for about a year. We keep them even after they stop laying.
Hens don’t start laying until approximately 5 months of age.
Chickens can live 5-10 years
While roosters are not necessary, they are often kept to watch over and protect the hens
Chickens can fly short distances. Some people clip their wings (just the feathers) to reduce flying, but we want ours to fly to be able to get away from predators or roost higher in the barn.
Fresh eggs do not need to be refrigerated if they are not washed. The eggs are covered in a protective “bloom” to keep them safe. If that is washed off, they need to be refrigerated.
Fresh, unwashed and unrefrigerated, eggs can stay on the counter for 2-3 weeks.
