Un Oeuf is Enough!

Just before Christmas we bought three new chickens to keep our old hen, Mildred (aka Millie), company after the last of her companions died.  Because they all looked very similar we named them after the Andrews Sisters - Patty, Maxene and LaVerne.

Millie with her three new friends (who wouldn't stand still for the photo!)

Things in the hen house were quiet for a few weeks as the girls settled in but now they are laying practically every day (even Millie has started laying again).  As wonderful as this is it's just the two of us and things are beginning to get a bit out of hand.  

Luckily we purchased an Egg Skelter a few years back when we encountered the same problem and this has proved to be invaluable because we can, at least, be sure that we eat the eggs in date order.

The ingenious Egg Skelter devised by a very clever man from Devon

In our last home we lived on a busy road so we were able to sell our excess eggs on a table with an honesty box which worked really well and earned us a little extra cash. However, where we live now is totally rural with no passing trade so as far as the eggs go we're truly on our own!

Selling fresh free-range eggs from our old house

This week, so far, we have given away 18 eggs to friends and neighbours but the girls keep on laying so I thought I would make a quiche with a few bits that needed using up in the fridge.  I found some left over smoked trout and some slightly overripe camembert which, along with the pastry, used up four eggs. Although this will no doubt be yummy for supper tonight it does not really solve the long term problem.

My rather rustic looking quiche (well I'm not a chef like Spike!)

Another method of using up eggs is to make fresh pasta and to freeze it so I will probably do that when I get a minute but the best solution will be when this year's brocante season begins to pop a few boxes of eggs on my stall so that the ladies can start earning their keep!

Yet more eggs today... aghhhhhhh!