Monday, February 2, 2009

Facts you should know if you are ever on Jeopardy!: Farm Edition

One of our Rhode Island Red pullets laid her first egg today. (It is the one on the right. The white one on the left is from one of our old Leghorn hens that Sadie has had since first grade.) That is very exciting around here. So how do I know it was a Red and not a Leghorn? I'm happy you asked. Rhode Island Reds lay brown eggs, Leghorns lay white. Also, the Leghorns are not known to lay this early. The pullets are only 6 months old. (Go here to see pictures of them as babies.)

Interesting facts about Rhode Island Reds:

  • known for their hardiness
  • can produce 200-300 eggs per bird in a 12-month laying period (If you live in our area, we'll be happy to be your egg supplier in a few months.)
  • Originally developed in Massachusetts and Rhode Island in the 1880s and 1890s

I've also heard that you can tell what color eggs a chicken will lay if you look at the area on their head where ears would be. (I'm sure that place has an official name or something.) Notice in the pictures that the Reds have a brown or tan area. If I'd posted a picture of the Leghorns, you could see that it is white. I think the egg color will darken as the pullets mature.

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