Does Chicken Egg Color Affect Taste?

Does chicken egg color affect taste? It's a common question. When people see green or blue eggs, they'll ask out loud if they taste different. Some people voice strong opinions by saying they like brown eggs better than white. Even seasoned chicken keepers venture into this question and say some of their chickens lay eggs that taste more creamy and better than others.

Let's face it. People associate egg taste with shell color. But do eggs with different colored shells taste different? No. Eggshell color has nothing to do with taste. Egg tastes only change because of a hen’s diet and the egg’s freshness.

The Best Herbs to Grow in Fall

A long time ago, my garden mentor told me fall is a great time to plant. I initially thought this was crazy advice. But it's not. Fall doesn't have to mean the end of your garden! There are lots of plants to grow in the fall and there are definite advantages to growing in a cooler climate. Below are some of my favorites herbs to grow in the fall so my kitchen stays stocked with fresh seasonings through autumn. 

What is the Preen Gland on a Chicken?

The uropygial gland, better known as the preen gland or oil gland, is located near the base of the tail. It's normally hidden under feathers, but molting and feather loss can expose it. What is the preen gland on a chicken? It’s a gland that produces the oil that chickens use when preening their feathers.

Molting Chickens Explained

Molting is a natural process that chickens go through at different times in their lives. A chicken's first molts take place as it grows from a baby chick to an adult. Because they're babies, we tend to think of this as a process of growing up, and it is, but it's technically molting.

As adult chickens, molting takes place in late summer and fall when birds replace old feathers with new plumage.

Can You Raise Chicks in the Fall?

Chick season is prominent in the spring, but can you raise chicks in the fall? Yes. In many parts of the country, fall weather is mild and raising chicks is easy. But even in the North, raising chicks in the fall is possible and even preferable by many. If you'd like to start a flock or expand your existing flock, fall is a great time to take the plunge!

How Do Chickens Drink?

We were watching our chickens at a bowl of water and my kids asked me “do chickens have saliva, how do chickens drink?” I thought about this for a moment, because I love to watch our chickens drink. It’s comical to watch them dip their beaks into the water and then tip their heads back. But as I really thought about this, I wondered if I actually knew the right answer to these questions. So, I decided to do some research. And what shocked me most was that a quick perusal of the internet showed that many other people don’t know the answer either.

How to Keep Hawks Away from Chickens

Top 5 Ways to Thwart Aerial Chicken Predators

Have you been experiencing a problem with flying predators like hawks and owls? This can be heartbreaking and frustrating and can make you feel helpless, but you're not. There are ways to help keep hawks away from backyard chickens.

On a personal note, this subject is near and dear to my heart. I have experienced one confirmed loss and a couple of close calls with hawks harassing my backyard chickens. Whether it's summer or you're in the midst of winter chicken keeping hawks are year-round predators.