Someone I know in Iowa was just bemoaning the rising price of a dozen eggs. Imagine $5.99 a dozen!! I asked them what it takes to lay an egg out of the body of a birdlike reptile.
If an egg came out of you, dear one, how much would it cost?
Our yearning for the cheapest egg misses the big picture. Driving the price down in the shortest amount of producing time hurts the farmer, their community, and the birds.
We positively love eggs. Not only are eggs a great source of vitamins and minerals, but they can also be used as part of a self-sufficient food plan; they can be raised right in your own backyard!
I discovered the wonder of homegrown eggs in the early 1980s. Some of you may remember the obsession. I learned quite a bit about raising chickens and eating fresh organic eggs.
Which Came First, the Chicken or the Egg?
The eternal question of “which came first, the egg or the hen?” remains to be answered. Yet, our ancestors already knew by 7000 BC that raising their own chickens could ensure a regular supply of food.
Studies estimate that the chicken was domesticated 8,000 years ago in Southeast Asia and spread to China and India 2,000 to 3,000 years later. Then beyond conquering the entire world straight to our plates.
We are an Egg-static Species.
Because of their nutrient density and versatility, eggs have become a staple food for many people across the world.
Eggs are an incredibly nutritious food packed with all kinds of essential vitamins and minerals. One large egg contains approximately 6 to 7 grams of high-quality protein, 5 grams of fat, 1 gram of carbohydrate, and various other nutrients such as choline, selenium, and vitamin B12. The protein found in eggs is very high quality, meaning it contains all nine essential amino acids the human body can’t produce on its own. This makes them an excellent source of protein. Protein from eggs is more easily absorbed by the body and more efficiently used for growth and repair.
When it comes to nutritional value, the benefits of eggs are hard to beat. While the egg was long vilified for cholesterol, there is a lot more than meets the egg.
We’ve learned that the cholesterol in eggs is not directly associated with high blood cholesterol.
Saturated fat is much more damaging to your cholesterol level than eating an omelet!
Eggs are also one of the few natural sources of Vitamin D, which helps to regulate blood pressure, calcium absorption, and cell growth. The egg is also described as a powerhouse for nutrients that fight diseases like lutein and zeaxanthin. These lesser-known nutrients reduce the risk of age-related blindness.
Buy, Grow, and Eat the Best Quality Eggs
Raising your own chickens can be a great way to get the freshest and most nutritious eggs. By taking care of the chickens yourself, you can ensure that the eggs you get are of the highest quality. Here are some tips for keeping your chickens healthy and producing hard, thick shells and bright orange yolks.
Provide your hens with a healthy organic diet. Make sure to keep the food supply clean, but the bugs and greens [SB1] they eat are needed for their perfect diet as well. Chickens can be messy eaters, so investing in a DIY chick feedercould prevent many health risks.
Keep your coop clean and well-ventilated. This will help keep your hens healthy and free from disease. It’s also important to keep it free from predators like rats, snakes, and raccoons.
Make sure to keep your chickens in a secure area. Even a small enclosure can protect your hens from a bad raccoon or Whiley coyote.
Make sure the hens have plenty of room to move around. If they are cramped up in too small of an area, they won’t be able to produce as many eggs as they could in a larger space.
Be Food Self Sufficient
Getting your own chicken eggs can promote self-sufficiency and green living. Raising your chickens for eggs is a great option for those looking to reduce their carbon footprint and become more self-sustainable.
Eggs can also be used as part of a self-sufficient food-producing plan. You can combine egg production with growing vegetables and fruit, raising other animals, and making fermented foods such as yogurt and cheese. With a diverse range of homegrown food sources, you can become far more self-sufficient and reduce your reliance on processed foods.
Egg freshness and ethics
When it comes to getting the freshest eggs, there is no comparison. Grocery eggs may have been in the store for a while. With eggs from your chickens, you can be sure of their freshness.
When eggs are laid by your chickens, they contain the highest levels of nutrition and taste. The taste of a freshly laid egg is often described as “sweet” or “rich.”
The nutritional value of an egg is determined by its freshness and level of development. As eggs age, their nutrient content decreases.
Furthermore, many shop-bought eggs were laid by caged hens. It’s a horrible story of suffering and confinement that I will spare you… look it up. They grind the baby males alive in a great jaw because they’re not layers.
Raising your own chickens can be a game changer, encouraging you to live a more purposeful life. Your eggs are not only high in nutritional value, but they also support the environment and well-being of the animals we eat.
Raise ‘em, love ‘em, eat them. Just like we have done for eons
Got huevos to give a cluck? Raise a hen.
