You regularly read in the newspaper about breeding chickens and egg production and usually these are not pleasant news. A lot has changed in politics and among chicken farmers, but the quality of chickens and eggs is still not optimal. Eggs often take far too long to travel from source to customer. Anyone who has a good sense of smell will notice this when eating boiled eggs. a fresh egg that has been boiled smells different than an egg that was laid some time ago. Every egg lover can relate to this. Many people therefore switch to keeping a few chickens themselves in order to get better eggs.

Usually not tasty eggs from the supermarket

The eggs from the supermarket are usually not really fresh anymore. You can check it by beating an egg into the pan and paying attention to the white. If it spills into the pan, the egg is no longer really fresh. It is not spoiled and you can eat it without any second thoughts, but the egg is no longer optimal.

Hard-boiled eggs

If you hard-boil such an egg, it often no longer smells as fresh when you eat it. In that case it’s not bad, but it’s also not really tasty anymore. The same rule applies to eggs as to all other foods: fresh is simply the best and tastes the best.

Eggs from the farmer can sometimes also be a bit older

The eggs you buy directly from the farm are usually fresher than those from the supermarket. However, you also have to be careful here. Not every farmer has his own chickens or has enough of his own chickens to supply all his customers. Often the eggs you buy from the farmer come partly from a wholesaler or from a local chicken farm. Therefore, ask about the origin of the eggs and the date of purchase if you really want fresh eggs.

First the coop, then the chicken and then the egg

The freshest eggs are the eggs that you get from the chicken coop every day. You will have to make room for this in your garden. After all, chickens need shelter. A chicken coop needs to be built. Preferably a chicken coop that is raised off the ground (with a chicken ladder to it) and where it is impossible for a fox or marten to enter.

A safe run

The run must also be safe. A fox should not be able to get in easily, because then your chickens will not have a long life. You will find plenty of information on the internet about building a good and safe chicken coop containing everything chickens need and creating a safe run.

A good range keeps your chickens healthy

As mentioned, chickens also need a run where they can run. This area preferably consists of a lawn. That lawn should not be fertilized with artificial fertilizer, because the substances thereof will later not only be in your chickens, but also in their eggs. The run must be properly cordoned off (preferably from above) with mesh, so that no enemies can enter.

In the loft on time every evening

Make sure that the chickens are in their sleeping quarters before dark every evening. After all, animals such as martens and foxes love chicken meat and always find a hole to get in. They often also dig a tunnel under the mesh.

When there are too many chickens in a coop

Don’t put too many chickens in a coop that is too small. That causes problems among each other and you don’t want that. Chickens can sometimes pluck the bottom of a “lower ranking” chicken completely bare. They often target only a single chicken together. If this happens, set the chicken aside in a small coop until she has fully recovered and then try to put her back.

Provide good laying places

Make sure that the chickens each have a good laying place in the coop. Preferably covered with straw. Be very careful when purchasing your chickens. Do not buy chickens at markets, but rather from a farmer or a poultry farm, about which you have read good reviews.

Salmonella

There is a lot of talk about salmonella bacteria in chickens. Most chickens are salmonella-free, but you can never be completely sure that your chickens do not have salmonella. The bacteria roam around and can therefore always be picked up by chickens. Chicken meat and eggs must therefore always be heated thoroughly and chicken meat in particular must be handled carefully to prevent contamination. Always wash your hands thoroughly if you have come into contact with raw chicken meat.

Chicken food

Chicken feed is widely available in pet stores and at agricultural companies, such as the farmers’ association. Chickens love corn. It is okay to mix this with the food, but do not give them too much, because then they will become fat, lazy and no longer lay eggs. A handful a day is sufficient.

Chickens like food scraps

Chickens also like to eat leftovers. This can be useful, because it means less will end up in the green bin or on the compost heap. Be sure to take any leftover uneaten food scraps out of the cage at the end of the day and put them on the compost heap. Usually everything has already been eaten by the chickens. They also like this.

Chicken age

Chickens can lay eggs for three years. Many chickens lay less or not at all in winter, because there is too little light. A chicken can live for about 8 years, but that also depends on the breed and care. Some chickens can live up to 15 years. Of course, in the end they produce fewer eggs than in their younger years. The meat of older chickens is also no longer as tender. It becomes tougher as the chicken ages. just like with people.

Moulting temporarily stagnates egg production

Like all birds, the chicken also molts for a few weeks in the fall. During that time she produces new plumage and needs all her energy to do so. She does not lay any eggs during that time. Chickens need extra good care during the moulting period, possibly including some extra vitamins. They may also be more susceptible to illness during this time. Fresh food and especially fresh water are extra important.

Your own fresh eggs are tasty and healthy

Eggs from chickens that are given good access and good care are not only fresh and tasty, but also have a beautiful, dark yellow to orange yolk. Delicious for breakfast or to make pastries. Anyone who wants to enjoy fresh eggs without any worries is happy to accept the care of the chicken and the clucking that accompanies laying the egg.

The chicken as a barometer

Chickens are good barometers. If your chickens choose a hiding place under the chicken coop in the morning and sit there nice and dry, you can count on it to continue to rain all day. If it rains in the morning, but the chickens are just walking around, there is a good chance that it is just a shower. It will be dry later in the day. Strange but true.