May 27, 2016

Exciting Eggs! How is an Chicken Egg Made?

(Contest for FREE SeaBuck 7 Backyard Chicken product giveaway below.)

Exciting Eggs! How is an Egg Made?

“In the garden there was nothing which was not quite like themselves - nothing which did not understand the wonderfulness of what was happening to them - the immense, tender, terrible, heart-breaking beauty and solemnity of Eggs. If there had been one person in that garden who had not known through all his or her innermost being that if an Egg were taken away or hurt the whole world would whirl round and crash through space and come to an end... there could have been no happiness even in that golden springtime air.”  - Frances Hodgson Burnett, The Secret Garden (1910)

Healthy, happy and mature chickens lay eggs. This is how birds reproduce! It isn’t any different for mammals – except that mammals brood their young inside their bodies.  As gallinaceous birds, chickens continue to lay eggs in order to replace eggs taken from the nest. Many other species of birds will do this…but chickens have a natural ability to produce many eggs in their lifetime (all females animals are born with all the eggs they will need during their lives).  
Humans favored chickens that tended to lay more eggs. This trait was desired and hens that were good layers were allowed to make more good layers.  Some breeds  known for egg laying lost the trait to set – like leghorns and other birds from the Mediterranean.  Chickens were not bred to lay too many eggs at the risk of their own health and longevity.  
Heritage breeds handle reproduction well – so try to choose those birds that were raised to be stout and sassy.  These breeds (like Rhode Island Reds, Andalusians, Fayoumi, Hamburgs, Barred Rocks, Dominiques and many more) have been bred to withstand subsistence conditions on farms for centuries – well, thousands of years. Some breeds that strutted next to the Romans, and before, are still clucking (Dorkings, Leghorns, Brahma, and Silkies were mentioned in Artistotle’s writings). 
Heritage chickens were bred to NOT have health problems.  Expect your birds to rest during the winter months and seasonal molts. Resting is very important to maintain their strength and vivaciousness. Of course providing clean housing, super feed and supplements are important to maintain bird health. Always be proactive! Sea buckthorn helps to uphold and maintain reproductive health! Don’t forget the chickens’ Seabuck 7, their oyster shell and provide dark, clean and safe nesting sites.

Why eggs are very special

“It may be the cock that crows, but it is the hen that lays the eggs.”  - Margaret Thatcher

The production of the egg takes roughly 26 hours from ovulation to presentation in the nest. The rooster’s presence has nothing to do with the formation of the egg beyond the fertilization section itself (you will have an egg that is fertilized for hatching if you run roosters). Roosters do provide significant social and structural benefits to a flock. Keeping some roosters will help to reduce stress and their presence assists in keeping the birds safe. Roosters are vigilant and designed to cater to the flock – their watchful eyes make any predator’s job much harder. Roosters also help with nest building and they aren’t ashamed to sing that boisterous “egg song” either!
How an egg “happens”:

The yolk drops to the oviduct after ovulation. The oviduct is composed of five sections, the most important of these being the —
  • Infundibulum- a 3 to 4 inch long funnel that holds the yolk for fertilization. The yolk sits in the infundibulum for less than half an hour.
  • Magnum – the yolk stays here for 3 hours. This is the time where the “egg white” (or albumin) is attached.
  • Isthmus – The narrow stretch of the oviduct where the papery inner wrapping and shell membranes are formed.
  • Shell Gland (uterus)– And finally the shell! Manufactured mostly of calcium carbonate, the shell is added around the egg. This process takes up to 20 hours! And this is where the shell’s color forms on the egg. Wow, it’s hard not to be reminded of a mini Willy Wonka factory puttering away inside each hen.
You’ll never look at those magnificent eggs the same way again. They are truly a feat of nature.
Did you know? Alfred Hitchcock was terrified of eggs! “I’m frightened of eggs, worse than frightened, they revolt me. That white round thing without any holes … have you ever seen anything more revolting than an egg yolk breaking and spilling its yellow liquid? Blood is jolly, red. But egg yolk is yellow, revolting.”

Eggstra Facts

Female chickens arrive at sexual maturity anywhere from 4-8 months of age. Hens are not gumball dispensers and they are not making eggs for you. A hen lays when she has reached breeding age. This is breed specific and trying to rush a hen’s growth can lead to serious health issues including weakened birds and even death. Her body must be physically ready to carry and give “birth” to an egg.
Hens will produce fewer eggs as they age. Keeping your birds in tiptop shape helps to prevent any health issues as they grow older and wiser.  Older hens hold the flock’s knowledge, and their calm presence helps to keep stress levels down. These matronly ladies serve a crucial role in maintaining the social order, providing skills and teaching younger birds. Don’t underestimate the value of old hens!

Case Studies:

Case Study (Bianca’s story): Andalusian pullet, Bianca, was unable to lay a shelled egg. She also did not feel well when producing an egg, and prescribed nutritional supplements had no effect.  Even though Bianca had all of the nutrients and calcium she needed to make an egg, these elements were not uniting properly to actually MAKE the shell.  Even higher doses of calcium and certain vitamins didn’t budge the process.

Homeopathic treatments (by Laurie Lofton, DVM), were able to show Bianca’s body how to combine the ingredients to make the egg. After a few months of using the remedy (calcarea carbonica) on a daily treatment plan, Bianca produced shelled eggs all by herself!

Case Study (Emily): Emily was genetically predisposed to internal laying. Internal laying is a life-threatening condition.  Emily ended up undergoing a hysterectomy and making the Tufts University Magazine.  She is now 7 years old and the queen of the coop.

GIVEAWAY:


Seabuck 7 is dedicated to flourishing flocks! Send us pictures of your blooming birds and their egg-citing eggs! Post them to our FaceBook pageSeaBuck 7 FaceBook page. We'll select a random winner for 2 FREE 1 quart bottles of SeaBuck 7 Backyard Chicken on June 30th.

May 19, 2016

Photograph Your Chickens! Tips for Successful Pics With Seabuck 7


“A great photograph is one that fully expresses what one feels, in the deepest sense, about what is being photographed.” 
 Ansel Adams

It is really easy to capture the personality and character of your chickens in a photographic portrait. Modern cell phones and digital cameras snap stunning images without the price tag of professional equipment. And chickens don’t require special things like zoom lenses. Chickens are natural models with a rare beauty. They are lithe, poised and uniquely balanced. Just like the subjects posing with contrapposto elegance in old master paintings, chickens have limitless grace!

“If I didn't start painting, I would have raised chickens.”  Grandma Moses chose to paint —but let’s do both!

For most of us, our cell phone is at hand…if not in hand. Your cell phone is your best tool for taking spur of the moment pics. Cameras on cell phones provide very good quality and you can quickly upload your snaps to the Internet.

Action!

The chickens are on set and ready for their close-up! All the world is a stage and when chickens are involved that takes on a whole new meaning. Be ready to capture these moments. When your birds are out and about, begin to think about “staging” good shots. This is pretty simple. Look at your yard and mark off focal points – these are the sections of the frame that your eye naturally gravitates to. Ask yourself what object, bird, or group of chickens is the first thing that you see? Bingo – that is your focal point.


Tip #1

In fact, this is more than a tip…it is a MUST. Get in CLOSE. The longer the distance, (think landscape portraits), the less impact a picture of an individual has. The subject of your picture gets washed away in the vastness of the space. While this is great if you are capturing oceans or mountain ranges, it is a disaster for subject photos! You need to get “in” there. Get up close enough to have the subject fill up the whole frame and then back off.  Take several close-up shots and look at the results. 
You will have some “pro” shots in the collection.

Try this technique with objects first. You can practice snapping photos quickly with subjects that don’t move or get bored. Professional photographers take tons of shots. In the “old days they would fill up reels. Now we have the luxury of deleting the ones that are not any good. Be ruthless in this editing…umm, deleting. You can always take more.  Henri Cartier-Bresson said the first 10,000 photographs are your worst.

Natural and Effortless

Take natural-looking photos. Atmosphere sets the content, tone and mood of the shot.  Don’t force the birds into a photo shoot. Struggling, grumpy and sour-faced expressions lead to static, bland and forced images. You want your pictures to tell a story, to reflect an image, to allow your viewer to enter the space and the “soul” of your chickens. Photography is theater. Just as if you were composing a painting, you will be setting a mood and reflecting the birds in their full glory. Think noble, think funny, think poetry — whatever the emotion of the chicken is, or what the photo wants to be, capture that.  Often the circumstance will dictate the tone in that instance, be ready to roll with that. Photography tells a story, it is a piece of art. Creativity reveals itself in a moment, and like dealing with opportunity, you need to ready!


Below are some quick tips for streamlining your technique:
  • Avoid cluttered or competing backgrounds (lawnmowers, fencing, cars, houses), that cause viewers’ eyes to go haywire. Compose shots devoid of distractions. Think of everything in your frame as a prop. Some props are good - you decide.
  • Change. Don’t be predictable. Altering the photographer’s angle and point of view creates drama and curiosity. Your images will pop with excitement just by changing your perspective. Get under the chickens, get in really close, get at an even height, put the chickens on a tree limb…
  • White or light feathered chickens are tough to photograph. Their color creates a strong contrast that feels “hot” and overexposed. Try using subdued lighting, or take the pictures at dusk, dawn or on cloudy days. White chickens standing in the snow can be dramatic shots. Always try, you can’t go wrong. Black plumed chickens tend to wash out so use strategically placed lighting to highlight their features. 
  • Expressive lighting (chiaroscuro) has its place. It can be “harsh” if not done right. Again- you are the judge. Don’t shoot into the sun or at times of day when the sun’s light is at its height. Take your pictures on cloudy days (great mood light), the early morning (magic hours) or at the end of daylight. Taking twilight shots can evoke a romantic, soft atmosphere. White birds and flowers are extra stunning in the twilight as their strong contrast comes into perfect play.
  • The Portrait. Whether it is one bird that is the star, or 15, get them into an organized and composed frame (use bribes). Set out the chickens favorite treats or put treats in places you want them to be. Chickens are spontaneous and the most compelling award-winning photographs were taken in the moment. Your chickens won’t disappoint.


Art does not follow rules. It just works when it works. This is what makes a creative hobby so much fun. Anyone can take great pictures, whether you are a tech fan or a tech-phobe, modern equipment adapts to every artist.  Try different light, use props, take the photos and edit them on your computer. Click away – break rules.  It’s that simple.  Experimenting can lead to some amazing discoveries. Chickens are the perfect subjects. They are cute, charismatic, full of attitude and just plain handsome. 

We know how amazing chickens look. Share your photographic masterpieces with us at Seabuck 7 – the folks who know how to make your chickens “close-up” ready! 

“When people look at my pictures I want them to feel the way they do when they want to read a line of a poem twice.”  Robert Frank