Where did April go?

April 28, 2025

Where did April go?

We finished our maple syrup production in March, successfully boiling down 80 gallons of tree sap into two gallons of syrup. After spending two full days of boiling sap from dawn to dusk, we have a much greater appreciation for those who process maple syrup.

April started with a bang, following the arrival of our baby chicks. We ordered several breeds of hens to lay a range of multi-colored eggs. Sometimes referred to as “rainbow eggs,” we became fascinated by the variety of egg colors and wanted to see how many different colors we could produce.

The genetics of a hen determine the color of the egg. Easter Eggers lay green, pink, or blue colored eggs. Marans lay medium- to dark-chocolate-colored eggs. Regardless of the breed, all eggs start out as white from calcium deposited early on in egg formation. Adding calcium, such as crushed oyster shells, to a hen’s diet is important to thicken the egg shells.

During the final stage of shell formation, pigments such as porphyrins and biliverdin are deposited in the hen’s oviduct to color the eggs.

While genetics is a major factor when it comes to determining egg color, other factors influence them as well. A deficit in nutrients and presence of environmental stressors such as predators can result in pale colors. If stressors cause the hen to lay earlier than normal, less pigment is deposited. If egg laying is delayed, an additional layer of calcium is deposited to give the eggs a white-gray exterior. It takes around 26 hours for an egg to fully form.

Our flock includes the following breeds: Austra White for white eggs, Black Laced Silver Wyandotte for light-brown eggs, Cuckoo Maran for dark-chocolate eggs, and Easter Eggers for blue or green eggs. We hope to be selling our eggs starting in October.

Last week: Wetland Architects

Fun fact:  New York state produces more than 150 million eggs a year.