Don’t be chicken when it comes to eggs
Want a chicken of your own? Here's all you need to know.
There is a little more to eggs than a chicken laying one that later ends up at the breakfast table.
The Herald spoke to a Rikasrus resident, Chris Swanepoel, who farms with chickens and eggs, in partnership with his brother André.
The two have a farm in Rikasrus that houses approximately 2 000 chickens. Chris explained that this might seem a lot but his farm is small in comparison to other egg production facilities. The production rate is not as high as commonly thought – chickens only lay eight to nine eggs in 10 days.
The prospect of eating fresh eggs for breakfast is enticing and many muse about having their own chickens at home to have fresh eggs every morning. Chris explained how easy it is.
He said chickens are low maintenance and eat just about anything. While they feed their chickens a high protein feed, aspiring chicken owners can feed them the regular maize-based feed that pet shops and hardware stores sell. He explained that water is extremely important, especially in winter, as it freezes at night.
Many might think a cock is needed in order for a hen to produce eggs, but hens produce eggs on their own. A cock is only used when farmers need to produce more chickens. The eggs we consume are unfertilised – and once a cock fertilises an egg, it can be hatched, producing another chicken.
There are also two different kinds of chickens. One kind is used specifically for slaughter and is called a broiler. The other type is called a hyline, and is used for producing eggs.
Egg-producing hens are generally kept for a year, after which they become less efficient egg-layers.
Chris said eggs should always be stored with the sharper end down, as there is an air pocket at the other end of the egg that could rupture. And, he said, to test whether an egg has gone bad without cracking it, shake the egg and if it sloshes, it’s rotten.
Chickens are widely available in Randfontein. Chris said that if anyone is up to keeping chickens, the eggs are worth it.
Do you perhaps have more information pertaining to this story? Email us at randfonteinherald@caxton.co.za (remember to include your contact details) or phone us on 011 693 3671.
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