How Do I Know Which Eggs are Fertilized?

Good question:  How do I know which eggs are fertilized? 

Answer:  If you have roosters, the eggs are fertilized.  

Most likely.  If you live on a farm, you probably eat fertilized eggs.

We - I suspect almost all chicken keepers- collect eggs each day.  Why?  Because an egg may be fertilized but it won't begin to become a chick embryo in that egg until the hen starts to sit on that egg.  Or until you put the egg into an incubator.  Until heat is added, no chick will develop.

So- a hen may lay eggs for about ten days in one spot...and when she has a collection, she'll sit down, warm them up, turn them and rarely leave that nest for 21 days until the chicks hatch.  Fascinating, right?

Cherokee, our Narragansett tukey, Clogging!

Look at this guy go!

Our Narragansett Turkey, Cherokee (aka Pop Tart) going to town clogging to Cotton Eye Joe!

How does a lost baby turkey sound?

How does a lost baby turkey sound?  

A baby turkey (called a poult) makes a very loud sound when lost and calling for it's mom. 

 Just like this:

Of course, I returned the lost baby to it's family.

So much to see and enjoy

Springtime on the farm is a true time of beauty!

The cold week in farm pictures!

This isn't really the cold week- the coldest ever weekend for us is happening now!  You'll have to wait until next time for that but I suspect there will be many pictures of animals sitting inside their houses!  

Love to get a good photo of my favorite rooster.  He's been with us about five years.  The best at taking care of his 5 hens.  Love this guy- always clucking and showing them food, making sure they're all accounted for in the evenings.  

We used nine of our eggs to make this breakfast casserole....maybe not the best picture but love the taste and the smell of my house while it's cooking in the morning!  You can find the recipe in this post: 

http://myfamilyfarmonline.blogspot.com/2015/02/easiest-and-best-ever-breakfast.html

Our lovely Blanca.


Buttercup saying hello to the piglets!



The story of the 8 little piglets!



Hello pig!



Yes, horses take naps!



Found this in my dogs water bowl!  Yikes.  Yes, I rescued him. Or her.

Quick!  What color egg will this hen lay?

And dogs visiting our Pet Lodge for the long weekend!  They look happy don't they?



Valentine's Day Cookies anyone?  These are super easy, super delicious and a great afternoon activity!  Learn how here:  http://myfamilyfarmonline.blogspot.com/2015/02/just-in-time-for-afternoon-fun.html

Stay warm everyone!

The End of January in Farm Photos

It seemed cold and dreary this week at the farm.  Many of the animals stayed huddled together.  

Everyone in the chicken house getting ready for bed!

This little hen is a guest in the chicken hospital- a straw filled dog crate in my warm office.  She has been keeping to herself and not eating much so I want to keep an eye on her and make sure she gets some extra healthy food and lots of warm water.  Cute isn't she?

Waking up...

A close call with a goose beak..

Couldn't give this chicken a blond wig again if I tried.  What do you think of the look?

My shoulder makes a nice perch.

"It's cold out.  May I come inside?"

Whose print is this?  This belongs to Cherokee, our male (Tom) turkey.

With increased hours of sunlight each day, the hens start to lay more eggs!

"Do you have any food for me?" asks Traveler.

A Farm Week in Pictures!

Hello Lucy!

One of my favorite spots on the farm:

My little Roo.

Love the barn with snow!

Gandolf!

The geese don't mind the snow and they act as one being:

Getting ready for bed:

A pretty morning:

A gift from a very talented, young artist!  Love this and thank you!

Fluffy has a new spot to lay eggs:

Have a great weekend everyone!