As spring approaches so does egg season. Spring time is a time of egg abundance. All of our birds go into egg-laying mode eager to hatch a clutch of eggs. This process is set into motion by the longer days and warmer temps. Believe it or not but the ideal temperature for chickens to lay eggs is 55 degrees. In factory farms chickens are subjected to artificial light. Their length of "day" never changes. It may seem like that would be harmless but it actual is very hard on them and even shortens their life. God created them to slow down in the winter months to give their bodies a break. In the fall they molt (loose their feathers and grow in new ones) and this takes a lot of energy as well as all the egg laying they did for the previous six months. As the days get shorter in the fall, the egg laying process slows down. They may not lay at all when molting. At it's peak it is anywhere from a 40 -60% reduction. Then comes spring and production picks up again. They have recovered from molting and regained their energy stores and are ready to go for a new season.

Do you grow onions from seeds or do you use onions sets? Onions sets give you a jump start but for just a little more work you can grow onions from seed and greatly broaden the variety which you are able to grow. Don't be intimidated, I'm about to share a little secret with you to help you get the strongest onions starts for an abundant harvest! First let me tell you a little about what kinds of onions we are growing at Rolling Hills Farm.