Thursday, September 30, 2010

Chicken Ear Lobes

First off, let me say that I didn't even know they had ear lobes.

My dad requested this blog post on the chickens.  One of his favorite things to do when he comes to visit is collect the chicken eggs.  If I know he is coming, I leave the eggs in there for him, otherwise he is disappointed.  :)

But back to the ear lobes....

A hen with white ear lobes will lay white eggs, a hen with red or brown ear lobes will lay brown eggs.  Who knew?  We didn't have chickens when I was growing up so our eggs came from the store and they were always white.  I remember seeing a brown egg for the first time as a kid and thinking how weird that was.  Now brown eggs are normal. 

We only have 3 hens, and all 3 have red lobes, thus we only get brown eggs. 

Since this post is at my dad's request, I also have to add a bit of trivia.  Dad is always coming up with interesting information about one thing or another.  His latest bit comes from Gulliver's Travels (which I admit, I have never read).  He told me to look up specifically about the "Big-Enders" vs. the "Little-Enders".  Here is what I found:

In Lilliput, Gulliver finds that the tiny people are going to war with their neighbors over the right way to open a hard boiled egg - from the big or little end. This was basically the author, Jonathan Swift's, satire on the wars between England and France in his own time - which were based on points just as silly as the "Big-Enders" vs the "Little-Enders" and their quarrel.
 
Interesting.  So, which end is it?  I say, break it right in the middle....  problem solved.

14 comments:

The Fab Furs said...

Hmmm...nothing like a discussion of genetic traits and political satire to make one hungry...but I think I'll go with eggs in an omelet rather than hard-boiled.

The JR said...

Things I didn't know! Your Dad sounds like a good fellow.

Lisa said...

If I came over, I would want to gather the eggs too.

Jeez, that IS crazy. Who knew? And why do they always only sell white eggs? I guess humans have ridiculous perceptions about these things.

I guess Dr. Seuss ripped off Gulliver in The Butter Battle.

Unknown said...

Thats interesting. I never thought why chickens lay brown or white eggs, I just knew some were brown and the store ones where white.

Gaina said...

A few people on twitter I know keep chickens so I am gonna have them checking earlobes now! haha

As for the boiled eggs? I visualize someone that really ticks me off then just go to town haha.

Flat Creek Farm said...

Oh my! Interesting stuff. I say your Dad must be top notch if he likes chickens and gathering the eggs :) And the ear lobe thing? Hmmmm.. my Ameraucana chickens will lay green/blue eggs. Headed out to check their ear lobes now.. lol! -Tammy

Teresa said...

Neat bit of chicken trivia.
Now that we know that they have earlobes I bet they'd look great with a pair of your earrings on!!Ha, ha.

I personally have always thought that brown eggs were healthier (which is probably a myth anyway) but if you watch the foodnetwork, that's all the chefs use (tres chic---or tres chick???)

Anonymous said...

You are right...who knew. Hubby kept telling me there was a chicken that actually laid blue eggs...I guess there really is.

Michelle May-The Raspberry Rabbits said...

Had no clue about this!
I'm with you break it down the darn middle and everybody get on with being happy. :)
xx, shell

Anonymous said...

Uh, who knew...

Anonymous said...

nice blog about chicks bridge. now how about goats. why does valentine like to climb?..have lee check for earlobes.

Clovie Boy said...

Where in the heck are the earlobes?

Crystal said...

Didn't know about the earlobes on chickens. I've never had much experience with chickens other than one i had as a pet when I was a kid. Interesting! :-)

Blackfeatherfarm said...

I can tell next time I see a chicken, I'll be looking for ear lobes....Lol I'm a middle breaker too, its how I've always peeled them !