Monday, December 8, 2008

Wondering Where all the eggs went?

You may have noticed that some producers are only selling eggs by special order, while others have a very limited supply of eggs. That's because chickens like to take a well-deserved break in the winter! The truth is that as the days get shorter, chickens react to the decrease in day light. This change in day length causes hens to molt and cease egg production, a process that may take several months.

Molting is a natural process that allows the hen to replace old, worn feathers and rejuvenates her oviduct, the organ that “makes” eggs. With the molt, the hen puts the bulk of her energy into feather growth, leaving little for egg production. This is the way nature intended it to be. Factory farms, who cram the chickens into giant warehouses, among other atrocities, use chemicals, unnatural feed, and fake sun light to trick chickens into creating eggs all year round. It is just not right!

So while you may be a little bothered that you can't get the eggs you've been happily buying for months, be happy to know that the chickens are resting their bodies so that they can give you their eggs in the Springtime.

Doesn't that make the eggs you get from the Co-op even more precious?

5 comments:

Sharon @ S and S Lamb said...

Just a note to let everyone know that we will have extra eggs with us on Dec. 17, drop off night. Our new hens just began laying in Sept/Oct and are not ready to rest yet! Thanks everyone...Sharon @ S&S Lamb

Kolene said...

Thanks for the note Sharon!! Good to know!

NotAppealing said...

Thanks for the educational post, Kolene!

Gail Philbin said...

Nicely done explanation about eggs in winter. Thanks! I believe the situation is the same for the cheese sold by one of the co-op producers too, no?

Kolene said...

The goats from Dancing Goat Cremery are taking a break now too, so no goat cheese for us till Spring :( Other than that, I think we are good on the cheese!