It's not eggs-act science, but raising chickens has its perks

By BEVERLY FLEMING

This month will bring on one of the events I have looked forward to since spring. Each year we add a couple of chicks to the menagerie of critters at Deerfield Farm. The first egg from the new pullets will be laid in October.

If you have ever raised chickens, you know that it is a challenge, but a very worthwhile on. The hormone free, antibiotic free eggs from your own chickens are absolutely delicious and are healthier for your body than those produced in production barns and if you raise some for meat, that is also healthier.

For some, those who live in deed restricted areas, raising your own chickens isn't an option. For everyone else, a few hens are an absolute delight. They are usually very quiet without a rooster present (and he isn't necessary for egg production). Because we also raise doves and cockatiels, they fit right in and the feed bill isn't that much higher because they eat table scraps, grass and insects when we let them run loose.

We usually buy two or three baby chicks each April. Chickens live and produce eggs about five or six years. The flock size only fluctuates a little each year as older birds are culled out and young ones replace them. And although we
keep a close eye on them and they are usually penned (especially at night), The resident bobcat or fox will occasionally get one of the chickens.

You will also sometimes get a chicken that will peck you when you feed up or fight constantly with the others. That one will have to be culled but I happen to have a delicious recipe for chicken and rice purlieu.

Chickens are great garbage disposals. They love all veggie and fruit peelings, moldy bread, left over brown rice or other table scraps. But we never feed them meat scraps although they would eat them if we did. When my husband mows, he puts grass clippings in the pen and we let them run loose to eat bugs and other insects and grass seeds at different times.

When you first purchase the baby chicks, they must be kept warm until they feather out. That means we usually keep them in a large cardboard box in the house for a couple of weeks or until the weather moderates. This also helps the
chicks to become acquainted with us without outside disturbance.

Of course, over the years, I have narrowed the choices to some favorite breeds. One is Araucana, the Easter egg chicken. This breed lays eggs that have blue or green shells. The birds are also beautiful with a mixture of black,
brown, red and gold feather.

I also like Buff Orpington for their brown eggs and because they are good layers plus have excellent meat. Their temperament is also usually docile and they make good mothers if you do have a rooster and have fertile eggs. Rhode Island Red also lay brown eggs and are excellent layers although I find them a little flighty. On the other hand, White Wyandottes are extremely hardy, quiet and have equally large brown eggs.

Dominiques are black and white speckled birds that usually have rose combs. The females are docile, have light brown eggs are good layers, but the roosters tend to be very defensive, grow long spurs and can be a detriment to a quiet, well mannered flock. I admire the "wild" chicken varieties for their very hardy tendencies and good looks. However, they tend to hide their nests so well it is hard to collect eggs and they do not take well to being penned. They also are something of a seasonal layer so we stick to the more domesticated varieties.

Here are a few tips for making good boiled eggs:

*Make sure the eggs are at room temperature before cooking. Start the eggs in cold water and quickly bring them to a high simmer but not a complete boil.

*Add one teaspoon of vinegar to the water to keep the outside of the yolk from turning dark and help in peeling.

*Cook eggs for eight to ten minutes for hard yolks. Submerge the cooked eggs in ice water to completely cool them before you begin peeling.

*Always tap the eggs on the small end first as this is where the tiny air sac is located and this is the place to begin peeling for smooth eggs.

Eggs from hens that are not totally grain raised are not as high in cholesterol as others and are high in necessary vitamins, so enjoy a few every week.

Beverly Fleming is a park naturalist with the St. Johns County Recreation and Parks Department. She can be reached at (904) 284-9488.