On Mon, 28 Jun 2010 12:37:36 -0600, graham wrote:

> "ChattyCathy" > wrote in message
> ...
>> On Mon, 28 Jun 2010 12:01:03 -0600, graham wrote:
>>
>>
>>> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egg_%28...cken_egg_sizes
>>>
>>> These tables are important as I usually use UK baking books and a
>>> large egg
>>> there is ~equivalent to an X-large in Canada and the US. Graham
>>
>> Useful link, thanks. And looking at this I think I can safely assume
>> that the eggs my chickens are laying at the moment would be termed
>> "Jumbo" or "Very Large" in several parts of the world :-)
>>
> Happy chickens!!

They seem to be; they're probably luckier than some. The breeding farm we
bought them from (when they were 4 weeks old) also supply the local
commercial chicken farms where the hens are kept in those tiny little
cages 24/7 for +/- 2 yrs and then off they go to the pet food factory...

Not our lot. They have a fairly decent hen house to sleep in at night
(with nesting boxes for laying their eggs) - but also have a nice big yard
to scratch around in during the day. Of course we feed them layers mash
and corn - and make sure they always have fresh, clean water to drink.

There's a pic of them on the RFC pets page if you're interested (taken a
while back):

http://www.recfoodcooking.com/pet/sh...attyCathy).jpg

This bunch *are* getting a bit long in the um, tooth <wink> - and we only
have 8 of them left now - so they don't lay every day anymore. And the
fact that it's winter here at the moment drops the egg production even
more; they seem to concentrate on growing more feathers to keep warm than
on producing eggs. Heh. Can't say I blame them.

However, can't say I'm all that sorry about the drop in egg production
either... 5-7 eggs a week (at the moment) is more than enough for my
needs. It might go back to as much as 4-5 eggs a day once spring arrives
again, but I'm not holding my breath. No matter. They also make pretty
good pets and are not as stupid as most people think, so they can stay and
enjoy their 'retirement' in peace (and with full bellies) - they've earned
it ;-)


--
Cheers
Chatty Cathy