western australia

I'm hanging out for a sponge cake

@JudyEv (381960)

Rockingham, Australia

September 30, 2022 6:52pm CST

At our house-sit, there are six hens in a pen. They don’t need to be fed and watered as they have big containers of both but we collect the eggs and take them some green food each day. The breed is Isa Brown and they are friendly, quiet chooks (chickens) and make good pets for children. They make these cute little chicken noises when they see us coming. They have laid between three and five eggs each day. Before man started interfering with the natural order of things, hens would lay a clutch of eggs then go broody, sitting on the eggs until they hatched (about three weeks). During this time, they would ‘go off the lay’ which was inconvenient for people. So breeders started manipulating the genetics to produce hens that didn’t go broody. Just as they manipulate the genetics to produce chickens that grow really quickly for the meat market. We don’t eat a lot of eggs but Vince is going to a sponge cake with some just to use them up. I hope I remember to take a photo before we eat it all. We’ve bought some cream in anticipation.

26 people like this

25 responses

Vicki, #1 Creek Girl

@1creekgirl (44560)

• United States

1 Oct 22

Sponge cake sounds delish!

5 people like this

@marlina (154103)

• Canada

1 Oct 22

Yes, with fruits and whipped cream.

2 people like this

@JudyEv (381960)

• Rockingham, Australia

1 Oct 22

We haven't made it yet but maybe tomorrow.

2 people like this

@JudyEv (381960)

• Rockingham, Australia

1 Oct 22

@marlina It makes me drool to think about it.

3 people like this

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@xFiacre (14800)

• Ireland

1 Oct 22

@judyev Our interference in nature is just appalling, yet I baulk at giving up my animal products. Our chooks ran free when we had them and did their own thing, though at night they were rounded up and put in a hen house for safe keeping. One always layed her daily egg on top of my wardrobe, another in the hearth.

5 people like this

@JudyEv (381960)

• Rockingham, Australia

1 Oct 22

Hens here would need to be shut in at night too or they'd be supper for foxes. Not too many chooks here would have access to indoors.

@xFiacre (14800)

• Ireland

1 Oct 22

@JudyEv Our hens had the run of the house, as did the piglets and ducks oftimes.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (381960)

• Rockingham, Australia

2 Oct 22

@xFiacre This was only when you were in Malawi though, wasn't it?

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@rebelann (117214)

• El Paso, Texas

1 Oct 22

Yeah, mankind hasn't been a model species, we do more damage than good in many cases. What does 'broody' mean?

2 people like this

Lenore Plassman

@sallypup (69162)

• Centralia, Washington

1 Oct 22

@rebelann Butting in here. My hens would go broody- the hen would want to keep all the eggs so that she could gather a bunch and start a family.

4 people like this

@JudyEv (381960)

• Rockingham, Australia

1 Oct 22

When a hen goes broody, she stops laying and sits on the eggs she has accumulated. Most will peck if you try to get their eggs.

2 people like this

@JudyEv (381960)

• Rockingham, Australia

1 Oct 22

@sallypup Our little bantam hens were always going broody. They were the best mothers and Mum would often give them turkey eggs to hatch.

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@RasmaSandra (97954)

• Daytona Beach, Florida

1 Oct 22

They are lovely looking chickens. The sponge cake sound delicious,

3 people like this

@JudyEv (381960)

• Rockingham, Australia

1 Oct 22

It's funny how they 'talk' to us - just these little sort of murmuring sounds.

2 people like this

Lenore Plassman

@sallypup (69162)

• Centralia, Washington

1 Oct 22

@JudyEv Hens purr. I could hear, even from the house, when the hens were upset. If those hens weren't making peaceful chatter, I'd head down and check them out.

3 people like this

@JudyEv (381960)

• Rockingham, Australia

2 Oct 22

@sallypup Purr is a good word for it. And yes, it's easy to tell when hens are upset.

1 person likes this

Google Plus 3000+

@GooglePlus (3806)

•

1 Oct 22

These picture are from your farm? What does House-sit means?

You already forgot me there

you should invite and then we will plan it together -how to finish it

3 people like this

@JudyEv (381960)

• Rockingham, Australia

1 Oct 22

To house-sit means to live in someone's house and look after their pets and garden while they are away. The hens are not ours but are on the property where we are house-sitting.

1 person likes this

@DevMrSamEleazar (14164)

• Philippines

1 Oct 22

It is been a long time since I saw a chicken alive. but it is brutal, because I was just playing it when I was a kid before they cook it.

3 people like this

Lenore Plassman

@sallypup (69162)

• Centralia, Washington

1 Oct 22

@DevMrSamEleazar Your comment reminds me of when I was a teenager. I loved a sweet cow that I named Teddy. I taught Teddy to walk on a halter. Then my Dad had him butchered. I refused to eat those roast beef dinners.

3 people like this

@DevMrSamEleazar (14164)

• Philippines

1 Oct 22

@sallypup oh I see. well it is so sad to see those things tho. like after you friend it just like that. Well I can see a animal getting butchered but if it did not became my friend. but like doing a very little bond with it. nah. I can't

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (381960)

• Rockingham, Australia

1 Oct 22

That is awful. It's very sad that this happened.

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@allknowing (153544)

• India

1 Oct 22

Interesting that you get eggs and that too so many a day ^You can use them every day, sunny side up, omelet, poached in water, poached in milk, scrambled, just plain boiled - half, quarter, full - limitless I say (lol)

2 people like this

@JudyEv (381960)

• Rockingham, Australia

1 Oct 22

There are plenty of ways to use them but we just don't like them too often I guess. But a sponge cake would get rid of a few at once.

1 person likes this

@LadyDuck (502305)

• Italy

1 Oct 22

Sponge cake is good and it can be the base to prepare many different cakes.

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@LadyDuck (502305)

• Italy

2 Oct 22

@JudyEv As I like cakes, I would surely encourage him to make the sponge.

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@JudyEv (381960)

• Rockingham, Australia

2 Oct 22

@LadyDuck And we bought jam and cream especially so it needs to be made. Maybe tomorrow.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (381960)

• Rockingham, Australia

1 Oct 22

Yes, that's true. It seems a good idea to make a sponge and get rid of some of the eggs.

1 person likes this

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Lenore Plassman

@sallypup (69162)

• Centralia, Washington

1 Oct 22

Lovely photo. Those hens look like the twins to Rhode Island Reds that I used to have. They do love green stuff.

2 people like this

@JudyEv (381960)

• Rockingham, Australia

1 Oct 22

I'm sure they are very similar in looks and colouring to Rhode Island Reds. And apparently Rhode Island Reds are part of their make-up.

1 person likes this

@noni1959 (13035)

• United States

1 Oct 22

I love sponge cake. I never had it with cream. I never knew that about chickens and going broody. It's so interesting.

2 people like this

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@noni1959 (13035)

• United States

3 Oct 22

@JudyEv That is so interesting. You have the most interesting posts.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (381960)

• Rockingham, Australia

3 Oct 22

@noni1959 Thanks very much.

I try to mix them up a bit.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (381960)

• Rockingham, Australia

1 Oct 22

Most bantam breeds are still inclined to go broody regularly but it has been bred out of some breeds.

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@Ronrybs (21503)

• London, England

1 Oct 22

I am all for a slice of sponge cake!

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (381960)

• Rockingham, Australia

1 Oct 22

It will be topped or layered with strawberry jam and whipped cream. Still interested?

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (381960)

• Rockingham, Australia

3 Oct 22

@Ronrybs You might work on being a bit more decisive. Two slices sounds a bit like you're not really an expert. lol

1 person likes this

@Ronrybs (21503)

• London, England

2 Oct 22

@JudyEv I will need two slices for evaluation!

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@RubyHawk (99367)

• Atlanta, Georgia

1 Oct 22

Yummy sponge cake is delicious.

2 people like this

@JudyEv (381960)

• Rockingham, Australia

1 Oct 22

Yes, it's very special, isn't it? And extra good with jam and cream.

1 person likes this

@RubyHawk (99367)

• Atlanta, Georgia

1 Oct 22

@JudyEv any way you serve it.

1 person likes this

@Rashnag (30597)

• Surat, India

1 Oct 22

Lovely picture. Enjoy eating sponge cake and have a good day. Take care

2 people like this

@JudyEv (381960)

• Rockingham, Australia

1 Oct 22

Thanks. I'm looking forward to sponge cake.

1 person likes this

@Beestring (15373)

• Hong Kong

1 Oct 22

I've only seen live chickens in the wet market where they were locked up in a cage. I think that's cruel.

2 people like this

@JudyEv (381960)

• Rockingham, Australia

1 Oct 22

These have a nice big run to live in and seem very content.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (381960)

• Rockingham, Australia

2 Oct 22

@Beestring No, I think these will die of old age where they are.

1 person likes this

@Beestring (15373)

• Hong Kong

1 Oct 22

@JudyEv Will they be sent to the market for sale later?

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@RebeccasFarm (91299)

• United States

1 Oct 22

Oh you are a lucky chook yourself Judy having a sponge cake made by your loving Vince

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@RebeccasFarm (91299)

• United States

4 Oct 22

@JudyEv Glad you appreciate it Judy..I know you make the most of every minute

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (381960)

• Rockingham, Australia

1 Oct 22

You're so right. I'm a lucky old chook! lol

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@jstory07 (148731)

• Roseburg, Oregon

2 Oct 22

I hope the sponge cake turn out and is really good.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (381960)

• Rockingham, Australia

2 Oct 22

He hasn't made it yet. Maybe tomorrow. I hope I remember to take a photo.

1 person likes this

@Tampa_girl7 (54715)

• United States

1 Oct 22

I love sponge cake.

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@Tampa_girl7 (54715)

• United States

2 Oct 22

@JudyEv it’s definitely one of my favorites.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (381960)

• Rockingham, Australia

2 Oct 22

I think it is my favourite in the cake line.

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@moffittjc (128833)

• Gainesville, Florida

1 Oct 22

Those hens can really lay 3-5 eggs per day? Each? Those poor girls! I love sponge cake, but it's been a long time since I last had some. I hope it turns out great and that you and Vince enjoy it.

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@moffittjc (128833)

• Gainesville, Florida

4 Oct 22

@JudyEv Oh, thanks for clarifying. That seems more reasonable for those chickens. Those poor girls would be very sore and tired if they had to lay that many each every day!

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@JudyEv (381960)

• Rockingham, Australia

2 Oct 22

Not 3-5 each - just 3-5 each day. I didn't write it very clearly. When and if it happens, I'll have a piece for you.

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Krissttina Isobe

@oahuwriter (26773)

• United States

2 Oct 22

Yummy! Custard?

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@JudyEv (381960)

• Rockingham, Australia

2 Oct 22

Probably not but who knows?

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (381960)

• Rockingham, Australia

3 Oct 22

@oahuwriter I was only thinking custard made with custard powder but you're right. Egg custard would use a lot of eggs.

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Krissttina Isobe

@oahuwriter (26773)

• United States

2 Oct 22

@JudyEv Ok, just a suggestion for custard uses lots of eggs.

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@CarolDM (203396)

• Nashville, Tennessee

1 Oct 22

Fresh eggs are absolutely the best. That is all we had growing up. Some double yoked eggs as well.

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@JudyEv (381960)

• Rockingham, Australia

2 Oct 22

We were never without fresh eggs when we were growing up.

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@JudyEv (381960)

• Rockingham, Australia

3 Oct 22

@CarolDM These hens lay a brown egg.

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@CarolDM (203396)

• Nashville, Tennessee

2 Oct 22

@JudyEv I remember we ate the brown eggs, such a fresh taste.

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