This post is all about EGGS! I love gathering eggs - it's one of my favorite things about living on a farm. And for good reason! Our hens lay an amazing variety of eggs! The size and color of an egg is dependent on the hen's breed, so as you might guess by looking at the variety of eggs we get, we have quite a variety of breeds! (click photos to view a larger size)
Top Row Left to Right: Silkie Bantam, Golden Polish, Lavender Guinea, Crevecoeur, Silver Laced Cochin, Turken/Ameraucana Bantam Cross, Buff Orpington Bantam
Bottom Row Left to Right: Welsummer, Cuckoo Marans, Turken, Ameraucana Bantam, Cuckoo Marans (Double Yolker!), Silkie Bantam, Mille Fleur
The most surprising egg on the platter is the speckled olive colored egg in the top row. The hen that's laying the light olive colored eggs is Olive Oyle, a Turken/Ameraucana Bantam cross. And what's more fun is that I have entire dozen of her beautiful olive colored eggs! She just recently started laying, so this is the first full dozen I've been able to collect from her.
Olive Oyle's mother's egg is the other green egg on the platter. It's a much clearer-colored, unspeckled shell that's typical of her breed. Olive Oyle's father is a turken, and if he were a hen, his eggs would be brown. It's the genetic cross between the green gene of Olive Oyle's mother, and the brown gene of her father, that causes the olive colored shell on her eggs. It's possible that as she gets older, the color of her eggs will darken up a bit to be even MORE olive colored.
Because of this genetic result, I'm quite excited about the batch of chicks that hatched in December. Their mother lays light brown eggs. Their father is Ameraucana and carries the green egg shell gene. It will be interesting to see if any of the young hens (there are 6 of them!) lay olive colored eggs! Maybe what I need to do is cross my Ameraucana rooster (with the green shell gene) with my Cuckoo Marans hens (who lay the darkest brown shelled eggs). The results from that cross would likely be hens that lay DARK olive colored eggs! And that would be COOL!
In other egg news... I sell eggs locally. Last weekend, as a treat for Valentine's day, I delivered some to a few friends I know through the local scrap/stamp shop. I wrapped them all nice and tidy - hope they loved them!
That is just so cool! All of your egg are gorgeous! I'm sure your associates beloved their specially-wrapped goodies:)
Posted by: | January 18, 2012 at 02:47 AM
I recently bought some eggs from a neighbor who said they should be washed. I washed them in warm water with a dish detergent. Is this the right way? What do you do?
Thanks: Jim
Posted by: Jim McDowell | August 31, 2010 at 01:34 PM
Please let me know where I can buy your fresh farm eggs.
thank you
Posted by: Hassanali S Issnmail | April 26, 2010 at 10:18 AM
I learn so much when I come over here. Not only about stamping, but about fun things like chickens and eggs too!
Posted by: Joane B | February 27, 2009 at 04:15 PM
Love those pretty green speckled eggs. NEAT! Your pictures make me wanna get some chickens. ;)
Posted by: Meg | February 25, 2009 at 01:30 AM
Anna, I never knew fresh eggs could be so pretty -- LOVE the olive and speckled ones! Thanks for sharing all your egg knowledge!
Posted by: Sharon Harnist | February 23, 2009 at 12:19 PM
I would love a dozen of those please. Nothing in this world like farm fresh eggs. Once you eat one you will never eat one from the store again. mmmmm
Posted by: Beth F | February 23, 2009 at 04:17 AM
I'm weird about eggs. I think they are such a beautiful shape, and I love the varied shell colors and the texture of the shell. When I was little, I would help gather tiny eggs at a friend's house (the eggs were too little to eat), and she would let me take them home and blow them out. They were tiny little green ones similar to some of yours. Those olive/speckled brown ones are fabulous! So fun. Thanks for sharing your farm news with us.
Posted by: Shellie Daniel | February 22, 2009 at 08:41 PM
Hey, with that last genetic cross, you could get a very nice olive brown plaid pattern that would be lovely on a quilt block! hugs & kisses ......... Dad ,snicker,snicker
Posted by: DK Wight | February 22, 2009 at 08:29 PM
LOL! Your egg-stra special gifts are adorable. I hope your friends don't hoard the eggs like most of us would crafting supplies. :) So cute...
Posted by: Lori Craig | February 22, 2009 at 06:43 PM
I just love seeing all your different types of eggs. I am SO jealous that I don't live close enough to you to buy them. :( I hope you breed your rooster with the hens that lay the chocolate eggs so we can see that interesting combination. Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Janet S | February 22, 2009 at 04:00 PM
I love your blog and all your stories on the farm. My daughter has two (showing my ignorance) steers and had them both bred at the same time. The red one had a little boy that was as black as could be. The brown one had a little girl that was red. I know you don't call them girls and boys, but I was there in Colorado when the boy was born and it was such an exciting time. So now they have four. Small herd, but a beginning. And they will even have their own bull when he grows up. They also raise pigs for food purposes only. They raise them organically and sell them by the half or whole side. I enjoy visiting them because my daughter is a great cook with all that fresh meat. LOL.
Posted by: Shelbby | February 22, 2009 at 02:54 PM
Thanks for sharing!! There is nothing like a yard egg! So fresh and yummy!! :)
Posted by: Jessie | February 22, 2009 at 10:13 AM
Oh wow, what a lovely assortment! I adore collecting our eggs. The olive speckled ones are a delight. Now I will have to try some crosses like that to see what I can get! I read one of the comments say that you have chicken stamps! Oh my, I must find myself one of those. I have never used stamps before, but it would be fun to have chicken ones.
Posted by: Claire | February 22, 2009 at 06:37 AM
Olive eggs...who would have thought?! They are so beautiful! We have a local country fair here in southwestern Ontario every year and my favourite place to go is the chicken/bunny barn to see the Silkies. They almost look like stuffed toy chickens.
Posted by: bonnie weiss | February 22, 2009 at 06:24 AM
I enjoy hearing about your farm news so much - I find all the different types of chickens and different colored eggs fascinating. I WANNA have chickies - wonder what the neighbors would say?
Posted by: Elaine Moore | February 21, 2009 at 09:39 PM
These are just beautiful!! Ever since I read an article in Martha, a few years ago...I have been hooked on the different colors, sizes and varities. The packaging you did is so dang CUTE!!
Posted by: paula | February 21, 2009 at 04:18 PM
I LOVE the chicken (and egg) posts! It intrigues me no end. I wish I lived close enough to indulge in those beauties. And, hey, come to think of it, you don't have to dye eggs for Easter, yours are natural!
Hugs, Lisa
Posted by: Lisa Hjulberg | February 21, 2009 at 03:47 PM
Oh, WOW, these are just gorgeous! What a beautiful assortment of eggs!!!
Thanks for sharing with us. I sent the lady I buy eggs from a link to your blog! I wanted her to see all your beautiful chickens! :D
Posted by: diane mcvey | February 21, 2009 at 03:41 PM
I would love them Anna! You are so awesome! I loved the packaging!
Posted by: Tammy | February 21, 2009 at 02:01 PM
Your farm fresh eggs are beautiful ~ of course I love the olive-speckled one and I hope you "collect" all the different eggs' shell :)
Here is a question for you, that displays my Lack of knowledge in the chicken/egg department (now don't laugh LOL) .... from the wide variety of chickens you have, do any of the eggs (whites or yolks) taste differently or cook/bake differently?
Alright go on, you can laugh now !
Posted by: Robb_eeie | February 21, 2009 at 01:59 PM
hey you know why i love your blog you get it you get the love some one can have for there bird friends i have 100 chickens and ducks peafowl and pheasents they all have name and i love them all some people just dont get it but i do i love to get the eggs to wash them and pack and sell love that egg money not only are you a great artist but a animal lover as well have a awsome day and give your chicky friend a hug from us way up north in the snow
Posted by: michelle gall | February 21, 2009 at 01:52 PM
Oh man I miss our Chickens, they were SO much fun and always followed me around the yard ESPECIALLY during weeding chores! LOL their lil cluck cluck clucks always made me laugh!!!!! I LOVE Farm Fresh eggs and can buy them now from a guy at work, the neighbors laughed (with) us as we burned a red light for heat in the hen house!!!! HJAHAHAHAHAHAH
Posted by: KelliJo | February 21, 2009 at 01:31 PM
What BEAUTIFUL eggs. If your friends did not enjoy their gift they are cookoo! Please tell us if these eggs taste different from the eggs the rest of us get from our grocery store. Keep your wonderful photos and cards coming - LOVE your blog!!
Posted by: Tamara W | February 21, 2009 at 01:03 PM
What an awesome picture. Wish I lived close to you. Love your presentation of the eggs in the carton. I enjoy reading about your adventures on the farm. Thanks from Seattle.
Posted by: Susan N | February 21, 2009 at 12:25 PM
Well, I never received my eggs!! LOL Have you thought about blowing the eggs out of the shell when you make something and then saving the shells? I did that eons ago with some brown eggs and made a nice basket for the kitchen with hollow eggs! I guess, you don't need a nice basket of hollow eggs when you have the real thing! Your eggs are gorgeous and I love the dish you have them on! Perfect!!!! Olive Oyle (love the name)!!
Posted by: Viv (VivLyn) | February 21, 2009 at 11:22 AM
I love looking at these eggs - I have "just" Comets and I love them....love the big brown eggs --- but you certainly have a great variety....makes me almost want to get more!!!! Judy
Posted by: Judy Christensen | February 21, 2009 at 11:03 AM
You area such a talented artist. You cards are beutiful and I love seeing them, but I guess like a lot of folks, this city girl is addicted to your farm stories! :)Thanks for always sharing!
Posted by: Kathie in Vegas | February 21, 2009 at 10:58 AM
Love your prettily colored eggs and love the red checked ribbon on the cartons-country touch! tfs
Posted by: Bev J. (Maxell on SCS) | February 21, 2009 at 10:58 AM
that is so interesting. i love all the different colors of the eggs.
and what a very nice gift. i sure hope they liked the eggs.
you decorated the packaging so cute. love it.
Posted by: jules p | February 21, 2009 at 10:03 AM
I just love fresh farm eggs and what a creative way to package them. You are just to creative and inspiring.
Posted by: StampinCathy | February 21, 2009 at 09:55 AM
Wow, Anna ~ you sure are the egg-spert! And to think I just got a course in "Eggs 101" this morning in one sitting!! I, too, love the farm stories! You are incredible. I wish I lived close enough to receive one of those beautiful egg packages!! Keep up the good work. Those chickens know how good they have it to have someone love them as much as you do?? I mean, to name them all...make clothes for them...? Have a wonderful weekend...Love from Idaho, Jeanne
Posted by: Jeanne Helstrom | February 21, 2009 at 09:31 AM
Anna, this is sooo sweet! Looks like Easter arrived early at your house:) I was a city girl(raised in LA) but my great grandmother had a chicken farm in OK. Some of my best memories are staying summers with her. My favorite part was gathering eggs. My least favorite was cleaning the chicken coop!LOL She had over 100 hens!! Everytime you post new farm pics I go down memory lane:) Have a great weekend:)
Karen
Posted by: Karen | February 21, 2009 at 09:27 AM
I soooooo wished I lived close to you! Any thoughts of moving to Califor-nyiah! lol
Posted by: Phillis | February 21, 2009 at 09:15 AM
What a cute post. As a bonus (to me) I read all the comments and I think it's adorable that your mom posted a comment!
Posted by: Kelly Bee | February 21, 2009 at 08:26 AM
Watch out Anna, you'll put the Easter Bunny out of business!
Posted by: Brenda Jones | February 21, 2009 at 07:53 AM
I *love* how you packaged those.....so pretty!!
Posted by: Michelle (MilwaukeeMommy on SCS) | February 21, 2009 at 07:35 AM
I LOVE farm fresh eggs. We used to get them at my Grandmother's House. You wrapped them so pretty too!!!
Hope you are well Anna! Have a great weekend
Hugs,
Vicki
Posted by: Vicki | February 21, 2009 at 07:03 AM
Anna, these eggs are so lovely!! I especially {heart} the green speckled egg - even before I started reading about all the eggs, this is the one that caught my attention. Thanks for sharing:)
Posted by: Cindy H. | February 21, 2009 at 06:52 AM
I would so buy my eggs with a big ribbon and tag on them! I have an unnatural desire to have chickens in my backyard and gather my own eggs. My dh just cringes :)
Posted by: Danielle | February 21, 2009 at 06:50 AM
I LOVE farm updates.... I mean, I love your cards and I love your artwork (on the stamps you design)... but I really love... YOUR FARM. Your posts make me wish I had a farm in texas, instead of a townhouse in Chicago... LOL!
Thanks for sharing that, I love how you pacakge those pretty eggs!
Posted by: Laura N. | February 21, 2009 at 06:49 AM
You should name one of the chicks from the green egg batch Elphaba. :)
If you're confused, that's the name of the green witch in Wicked... later known as the wicked witch of the west. ;)
Posted by: Sarah (Sairabee) | February 21, 2009 at 06:45 AM
Nothin' like farm fresh goodness for baked goods & breakfast consumption! Memories of childhood are a splendid thing, thanks Anna!
-A. :)
Posted by: A. Sanborn | February 21, 2009 at 06:29 AM
Another excellent and superbly written farm post. Congratulations on such a robust variety of eggs. These photos are fantastic! I've no doubt that the recipients of the Valentine's Day eggs were absolutely smitten with your sweet gingham packaging. You are a true artist.
Posted by: Gabriela (Gabi With An Eye) | February 21, 2009 at 06:04 AM
That is just so cool! All of your eggs are gorgeous! I'm sure your friends loved their specially-wrapped goodies:)
Posted by: Linda | February 21, 2009 at 06:03 AM
Who wouldn't LOVE getting eggs wrapped up like this??!! And green ones to boot!!
I would be head over heels!!
Posted by: Janine | February 21, 2009 at 05:03 AM
your eggs are absolutely beautiful. I would love to live on a farm if I could only figure out how to do it and make a living and then I would just need to convince the family to move. Maybe in my next life.
Posted by: Sherry Eckblad | February 21, 2009 at 04:15 AM
Oh Mz Anna, thank ya! I just adore egg pictures! Something about their gorgeous shells makes my heart happy. I adore speckled the most, but speckled OLIVE?!? Ack! Fantastic! :) Destined to be a chicken farmers wife,
-Bev
Posted by: Bev | February 21, 2009 at 03:56 AM
I just love all the farm photos you share. Today you've inspired me to bake a quiche... Thanks!
Posted by: Doris | February 21, 2009 at 03:45 AM
They are all so beautiful..like little jewels! TFS...love farmy posts.
Posted by: Sue | February 21, 2009 at 01:22 AM
Hello Anna, I love the farm post at the bottom with the chicken on it.
love
Zoe
xxxx
Posted by: Zoe | February 20, 2009 at 11:36 PM
Okay, this city girl needs to ask some questions. Do the hens lay an egg a day? More? Trying to figure out how long it would take to gather that dozen eggs. And how do you store the eggs, either before you sell them, or while you're gathering a dozen of the same. And do you always group them w/ other eggs from same hen? Is that the typical way to sell eggs?
I just get ours from Whole Foods, so please don't laugh at me!
Posted by: Lisa | February 20, 2009 at 11:33 PM
Really enjoyed reading this post, reminded me of my childhood here in England, we had hens which started in the war as we had plenty of garden and the hens were like a hobby as food was scarce, I enjoyed helping to collect the eggs, we also had 2 nanny goats and grew most of our vegetables and had fruit trees.
Jose x
Posted by: Jose | February 20, 2009 at 11:25 PM
Anna
I just love when you have "farmy" posts. You know we have Bantums, well recently we added two large hens and a large rooster (not quiet sure what breed they are) and boy are their eggs huge next to my banty's eggs! I think chicks are so fun and unique, each with their own personality (you have to be a chicken person to say something like that!). I recently bought several of your chicken stamps from Whipper Snapper and ADORE them!
Hugs
Amber
Posted by: Amber | February 20, 2009 at 11:05 PM
Anna, those are absolutely beautiful!!!When you have chickens laying,it is like Xmas everyday! Thank you for showing us these gems. Have you tried to blow out the egg so you can keep the shell? Love, Mom
Posted by: Lori W | February 20, 2009 at 10:33 PM