And, who figured THIS out??

Just when you think you've heard it all...
I was on the web today, looking up info on how to "date" eggs, as to their freshness.  Lot's of good info out there.  Most every article I read was simply a slight variation of the previous writer's opinion, so I simply settled for the "most common" & I think I'm good.

Once finding out what I wanted to know, one site caught my attention with an article on "How to find your hen's nest".  This article was referring to "free range" hens who lay where they will, and ususally keep their nests very well hidden.  I can see where this would pose a problem if you wanted to get into the egg business.  If you can't find the eggs.....you can't sell or share them!  But the METHOD they suggested, for FINDING the nests,  just left me shaking my head in wonder and amazement! 

I'll give you the "short version" of what the writer suggests:  Put a whole black pepper corn (aka: seed) in the chicken's rectum.  I kid you not!!!  That's what they suggest!!  The claim is, that the pepper corn  will cause itching.....which will "fool" the hen into thinking she needs to lay an egg.  She runs off to the nest to lay an egg....you simply follow her to the nest and VOILA!!!  Help yourself to some fresh eggs!!  Simple, right??

Now, picture this:  First....you gotta actually CATCH the chicken.  My chickens are what I would consider "domesticated"....in that they see me EVERYDAY, in their coop.  I am a familiar person to them......but most of them still won't let me even get near them, let alone actually hold them.  Very few actually want my attentions, and I think they merely tolerate my petting them.  So, Yeah, right....go ahead and try catchin' ya one of those 'free range' chickens!!  I dare ya!!  

Once you've got one tucked up under your arm, in a choke hold.....just TRY to shove a pepper corn up it's *ss!!!  First of all....that chicken ain't gonna let you even FIND it's butt....let alone put something there that does NOT belong!!  Have you ever even tried just FINDING a chicken's butt through all those feathers?? 

Well, if you think this pepper corn method will work for you....knock yourself out!!  Personally.....I'll just keep my hens in the coop at night.  They KNOW where their nest boxes are....and I know where to find their eggs.  No pepper corns involved.....EVERYBODY'S HAPPY!!