Eggs, a Farmer's Currency

 No one, and I mean no one, expected to ever have to pay $5 or more for a dozen eggs.  Some blame it on the Avian Flu.  Others say it is a product of inflation.  Others say fuel prices are driving it.  To me, it really doesn't matter, it is what it is.  So now, the proverbial goose is a chicken who laid the golden egg.

I usually eat at least one egg per day.  Since we have chickens, we usually have a healthy supply.  However in the winter, our egg layers slack off and egg production goes way down.  We have tried all the tricks like giving them cayenne pepper to adding light to their coop, but still, our chickens are out to lunch.

Even if you don't use a lot of eggs like I do, there is one thing you should know.  Eggs, once thought to be taboo because of their cholesterol, are now heralded by the American Health Association.  Adults can now consume eggs without guilt.  Eggs contain the highest biological value for protein (along with milk) and contain a measly 75 calories.  The average egg contains 7 gr of protein, and 5 gr of fat, along with iron vitamins, minerals, and carotenoids.  

And the goodness doesn't stop there.  Did you know that the egg shells are a great gardening tool?  Instead of throwing the shells down the disposal or dumping in the trash, save them!  Eggshells are made of calcium carbonate, and excellent fertilizer and natural pesticide!  Yay!  Free fertilizer!

Did I tell you we like ice cream?  Well we do and unfortunately my waistline bears witness.  Yeah, I know we were talking about egg shells, but this is where the ice cream comes in.  We often buy ice cream in gallon tubs.  Okay, its not Ben and Jerry's but it still is a tasty treat or topping for warm apple pie.  I save these containers and their lids like it is my job.  They have all kinds of uses and here it comes.....they are great for storing egg shells.

When I get done cooking my breakfast or baking or making deviled eggs, I throw all of the shells into my ice cream bucket.  Some people are really good about this and wash them out first.  I don't and it may be because I am too busy or lazy.  I put them into the bucket until it gets full and then I push down on them and make room for more.  

Now if you don't wash them, they will smell a bit and that's why I keep a lid on them.  You probably wouldn't have to close them up if you wash them really well.  But then you have eggshells sitting on your counter.  I can just stick my enclosed bucket in the pantry and no one is the wiser.  

When my bucket gets pretty full, I get out my ancient food processor and grind them up.  Make them as fine as you like.  I like to make them about like oatmeal but if you prefer a powder just leave them in longer.  I put them in mason jars.  Use pints or quarts or whatever size you have.  You can use those old lids that you cannot use for canning anymore.  

Seal them up and put them on a cookie sheet or cake pan and place in a 250 degree oven.  This will kill off alot of bacteria but they could still smell a little.  I store my jars in the basement until Spring.  

These are especially great when planting tomatoes.  Regardless if you start your seeds from plants or buy seedlings, simply dig your hole, put in 1/3 -1/2 cup of eggshells and put your plant on top of it.  You can add more shells throughout the year to help your plants flourish.

Some gardeners use eggshells as a pest deterrent.  From slugs to deer, pests large and small are said to send pests packing.  I cannot vouch for this since I have never tried it but if you have had success with it, give me a holler!

Some people add eggshells to their soil because it looks kind of pretty, kinda like salt and pepper.  Others say it is a great bird food.  As for me, I will just keep eating my ice cream and planting tomatoes.

My Goats, The Barn, My Happy Place

  

Sometimes we find the most joy in the most unusual places, don't we?  Never ever did I think I would fall in love with three little goats.  I never thought I would actually enjoy the smell of the barn and not even mind shoveling goat poo.  But as God is my witness.  I have found my Utopia in a goat barn.

We have had the kids for a year now.  We took my 97 minivan to Kansas to pick them up...a gift from our son.  To say I was unprepared would be an understatement.  Our goats were so tiny!  And I had no idea what to do with them.  Meet Mr. Bill, Laverne, and her twin sister Shirley.  They cuddled in the van but by the time we got them home on that hot July day, they were ready t eat.  

 

It took them a bit to warm up to us, but now they are attentive, loving, 

and full of mischief.

The year has been a learning experience for us.  So many misconceptions!

  So much to learn!

1. Goats do not eat everything.  Not tin cans, not hay when it falls on the floor, not some goat feed.  They are finicky.  They only want the best hay, the leaves off of all the trees, and whatever the other one has.
2. When one goat gets sick, they all get sick.  I read that you need to pay attention to their goat poop.  It should look like bbs and be everywhere.  So one day I started noticing Mr. Bill's poop was soft and more like it came from a cow.  My husband said don't worry.  I worried anyway.  Within a couple of days, Mr. Bill had a bad case of diarrhea and wasn't eating.   Here I sat washing his behind and cleaning up messes.  By the time it was all over, they all three got it, I treated it, and it was over.  Thank God for Google and YouTube.  
3. Goats can get into everything.  They can climb ladders, steal your hat, and pee on your tools. We learned really quickly that they are curious creatures and that they cannot be trusted.   

 Our goats are Oberhasli dairy goats.  Though they are from the same breeder, the twins are from different parents.  We plan on breeding them in the fall so we can have Springtime babies.  The barn is complete but we are considering a buck barn.  Right now they are separated, but Mr. Bill is really rambunctious and unpredictable.  I think he needs to be farther away.  We just have some logistics to work out with things like power and water.