As the day light increases, you might find yourself drowning in eggs during peak production. Preserve them for lean winter months! Let’s explore the science behind different methods. WATER GLASSING (Sodium Silicate): HOW IT WORKS: 💦Sodium silicate solution seals egg pores 💦Prevents air/bacteria entry 💦Creates airtight barrier METHOD: 💦Mix 1 part sodium silicate to 9 parts water 💦Submerge UNWASHED fresh eggs (bloom intact!) 💦Store in cool, dark location 💦Can last 12-18 months! IMPORTANT: 🥚Only use fresh, clean, unwashed eggs 🥚Bloom must be intact for success 🥚Wash before using 🥚Traditional method with long history FREEZING: WHOLE EGGS: 🥶Cannot freeze in shell (expands, cracks!) 🥶Beat eggs, pour into ice cube trays 🥶3 tablespoons = 1 egg equivalent WHITES ONLY: 🥶Freeze well without additives 🥶Thaw in refrigerator YOLKS ONLY: 🥶Add 1/8 tsp salt OR 1.5 tsp sugar per 4 yolks 🥶Prevents gel-like texture 🥶Label sweet or savory! SHELF LIFE: 🥶Up to 12 months frozen 🥶Use within 3 days after thawing PICKLING: THE SCIENCE: 🥒Acid (vinegar) + salt creates preservation environment 🥒pH below 4.6 prevents bacterial growth 🥒Hard-boil eggs first! BASIC METHOD: 🥒Hard boil and peel eggs 🥒Heat vinegar, salt, spices 🥒Cover eggs completely 🥒Refrigerate minimum 1-2 weeks before eating SAFETY NOTE: 🥒Pickled eggs MUST be refrigerated! 🥒No safe canning method exists for pickled eggs 🥒Consume within 3-4 months OTHER METHODS: OILING: 🥚Coating with mineral oil seals pores 🥚Extends refrigerator life 🥚Less long-term than water glassing REFRIGERATION (Fresh): 🥚Unwashed eggs: 3+ months refrigerated 🥚Washed eggs: 5 weeks refrigerated 🥚Bloom protects! Food Safety Reminder: ✓ Start with clean, fresh eggs ✓ Discard cracked eggs ✓ When in doubt, throw it out! Your turn: ❓Have you tried any preservation methods? What worked best? 🧊

Happy Sabbath, Everyone! Welcome back to Sabbath Skool Animal Trivia! Now I know we’re a chicken community, so we love our birds. But this week’s story features a very different kind of animal doing something that should be absolutely impossible. We’re in the wilderness with the children of Israel! God needed to stop a prophet in his tracks, a man who was on his way to do something that would bring harm to His people. So the Lord opened the mouth of an unexpected messenger. Not an angel. Not a man. An animal. And this creature said something that stopped the prophet cold and opened his eyes to what he’d been blind to all along. Sound impossible? Well, with God, nothing is. And this moment wasn’t just dramatic, it was an act of mercy. The animal saw what the prophet couldn’t. Three times. This Week’s Question: What animal spoke to the prophet, and what was the prophet’s name? Read carefully, because why the animal spoke matters just as much as what it said! No Googling, this is Sabbath trivia, not a search contest! 😊 Hint: Start in Numbers 22, then notice how 2 Peter 2:16 references this same story centuries later. 🌟 Fun Extra: After naming the animal and prophet, share one interesting fact, scientific, behavioral, or biblical, about this animal! May your Sabbath be filled with rest, wonder, and the reminder that God can use anyone and anything to speak truth! 🙏

Your herb garden can benefit your flock! Many common culinary herbs offer nutritional value and supportive properties for chickens. Herbs with Benefits: OREGANO: 🍃Contains carvacrol and thymol 🍃Studied for antimicrobial properties 🍃Supports digestive health 🍃Commercial poultry research shows gut benefits THYME: 🌿Natural antioxidant properties 🌿Supports respiratory health 🌿Contains thymol (antimicrobial) 🌿Often paired with oregano in studies GARLIC: 🧄Supports immune function 🧄Natural antioxidant 🧄Some research on parasite resistance 🧄Feed in moderation (can affect egg flavor!) SAGE: 🌱Antioxidant properties 🌱Traditional use for digestive support ROSEMARY: 🌹Strong antioxidant activity 🌹Supports overall health 🌹Research shows preservative properties PARSLEY: 🥚High in vitamins A, C, K 🥚Mineral-rich (calcium, iron) 🥚Laying hen support BASIL: 🦠Antioxidant properties 🦠Antibacterial compounds 🦠Palatable to chickens MINT/PEPPERMINT: 💦Cooling properties 💦Natural insect deterrent around coop 💦Respiratory support How to Offer Herbs: FRESH: 🐔Hang bundles for enrichment 🐔Mix into feed 🐔Free-choice in run area DRIED: 🐓Sprinkle in nest boxes 🐓Mix with feed (1-2% of diet) 🐓Add to dust bathing areas Important Considerations: ✓ Herbs SUPPLEMENT, not replace, proper nutrition ✓ Introduce gradually ✓ Variety is beneficial ✓ Grow pesticide-free for flock use ✓ Research is ongoing—most evidence is supportive, not conclusive Herbs for Nest Boxes: Lavender, mint, rosemary—may help deter insects and provide calming environment. Your turn: ❓What herbs do you grow specifically for your chickens? 🌱 ❓Ever noticed health improvements after adding herbs to their diet? 🐔

Hey everyone! I was thinking that it might be nice to have some monthly live webinars with guests and Q&As at the end. Would this be of interest to anyone? If so, please put topics of interest in the comments (I already have a few but wanted to ask you as well) and pick a time range/day that would work best for you! This would be central time in the US.

Discovered a hen eating eggs? This frustrating habit can spread through your flock quickly! Let’s understand why it happens and how to stop it. Why Egg Eating Starts: ACCIDENTAL DISCOVERY: 🥚Broken egg gets tasted 🥚Hen learns eggs = tasty treat 🥚Behavior reinforces quickly! NUTRITIONAL DEFICIENCIES: 🥚Calcium deficiency 🥚Protein deficiency 🥚Overall poor nutrition MANAGEMENT ISSUES: ☀️Insufficient nest boxes ☀️Too much light in nests ☀️Thin-shelled eggs (break easily) ☀️Infrequent egg collection ☀️Boredom STRESS FACTORS: 🐔Overcrowding 🐔Lack of enrichment 🐔Competition for resources Prevention Strategies: NUTRITION: ✓ Complete layer feed (16-18% protein) ✓ Free-choice oyster shell for calcium ✓ Strong shells = fewer accidental breaks NEST BOX MANAGEMENT: ✓ Adequate bedding (cushions eggs) ✓ Darkened boxes (hens can’t see eggs well) ✓ Collect eggs frequently (2-3x daily minimum!) ✓ 1 box per 4-5 hens ENVIRONMENTAL: ✓ Reduce boredom with enrichment ✓ Adequate space per bird ✓ Provide things to peck (cabbage, treats) Breaking the Habit: IDENTIFY THE CULPRIT: 🐔Watch for yolk-stained beaks/feathers 🐔Observe flock around laying time INTERVENTIONS: 🥚Roll-away nest boxes (eggs roll out of reach) 🥚Ceramic/wooden fake eggs (frustrates pecking) 🥚Increase protein temporarily 🥚Fill blown eggs with mustard (unpleasant taste—works sometimes) 🥚Remove culprit temporarily LAST RESORT: Persistent egg eaters may need permanent separation. Behavior is extremely difficult to break once established, and it spreads to other hens! Key take-away: Prevention is far more effective than cure! Once established, egg eating has low success rate for correction. Your turn: ❓Ever dealt with an egg eater? What finally worked to stop it? ❓How often do you collect eggs daily? Is it enough? 🥚