Loaves and Fishes (or Guineas and Ducks)
I’ve been keeping a keen eye on the guinea fowl trying to figure out where they’re laying their eggs. They don’t like to lay in the coop, preferring to find a secluded spot in the brush somewhere, generally somewhere completely inconvenient and perfect for predators to get them.
I had a chicken that was laying eggs in a pile of pine boughs that came down during the big ice storm this past winter. Two days ago I found 2 guinea eggs in the nest. The next day there were 9 guinea eggs in the nest, yesterday there were 18 eggs in the nest. We also had a hen that hatched out 15 keets that we brooded ourselves, these are members of our current flock. With 7-9 guinea hens laying eggs, this nest will fill up very quickly. I’ll collect some of the eggs but leave most of them hoping to have them sit on this nest which I can keep an eye on. Guinea eggs are delicious, the yolks are very big so I’ll probable use them to make custard or ice cream.
Last fall we had a guinea hatch out a few keets, though none of them made it. Guineas are notoriously bad mothers. I’m planning on letting nature take it’s course with these, though I have lots of people interested in purchasing keets so I might try to steal some to sell. I also have four muscovy hens sitting on nests right now. These birds are multiplying to Biblical proportions – never a dull moment around here!
What’s the craziest kind of egg you have eaten?
Filed under Around the Garden, Feathered & Furred | Comments (8)
The craziest kind of egg….guess that would be ostrich and seagull.
to Mich's comment
Hi!
I used to think eating brown chicken eggs was just a walk on the wild side until I got over that phobia last summer.
Don’t know why I thought they were different than white eggs, but I’m glad I got over it and now buy them at roadside stands for $2 a dozen.
to Laura @ Raise Your Garden's comment
We love our duck eggs. The eggs are great for using in baking cakes but also just eating them like a chicken egg is pretty tasty.
to Shirl's comment
Duck eggs are delicious, but the most out-of-the-ordinary? Perhaps ostrich and pheasant.
I had to laugh when you wrote “multiplying to Biblical proportions.” I think that’s a good problem to have! I’ve been looking everywhere for pullets (I’m a little impatient to start eating my own eggs again), but at $15/bird I’m thinking I might have to learn a little patience and get the chicks. The up-side to chicks would be knowing what went into them from day-one (or two as it may be). Have fun with your flock!
to Lorna's comment
Susy, nope no crazy egg eating here. Well, that I know of. On my trips through Central America, there were many things that I ate that were mystery food to me. After several trips, the Ewwww factor becomes non existent and the adventurous side kicks in. Americans are so squeamish about eating. But then again if they only knew what was in some of their processed food products. :-)
Have a great egg hatching day.
to Nebraska Dave's comment
Guinea eggs are the “weirdest” I have eaten, though I don’t consider that very weird. Are your guinea eggs as hard as mine? I don’t think I will ever have to worry about soft shells with those girls!
to Chuck's comment
They are very hard, just like the duck eggs!
to Susy's comment
We ate turkey eggs when we had them. They’re not as good as chicken or duck but they’re okay.
to Robin's comment