The Chicken Chick

May 17, 2013

Omega Ultra Egg Product Review

OMEGA FIELDS Omega Ultra Egg GIVEAWAY!

TWO WINNERS!

Enter to WIN a 4.5 pound bag of OMEGA ULTRA EGG, courtesy of Omega Fields!

TO ENTER:

1. LIKE OMEGA FIELDS on Facebook

(feel free to let them know The Chicken Chick sent you!)

and

2. Leave a comment below!

Giveaway ends 5/20/13 at 9pm EST. Winners chosen from eligible entries and notified via email if provided or at the bottom of this post.

When Omega Fields contacted me last August and invited my chickens to try their Omega Ultra Egg, I had lots of questions about the product before agreeing to it. After my preliminary inquiries were satisfied, I agreed to test it out in my flock. I was somewhat skeptical that a feed supplement could have a visible effect on my flock since my birds free-range, which allows them to select their diet from the best nature has to offer, their eggs already boast dark orange yolks and I wondered how much more a feed supplement could benefit them. What I did not realize was that Omega Ultra Egg could also benefit my health.

As is my usual practice, I asked what the claimed benefits were and whether they had any scientific research to support those claims. Omega Fields was willing to share their research with me after I signed a lengthy “non disclosure agreement” as the documents contain trade secrets and confidential company information. I came away from reading the research satisfied that the product’s benefits were backed by scientific data, but I still wanted to know whether there would be any visible difference in the eggs or my chickens. Only time would tell.

Let’s look at some of the questions I had of Omega Fields and the answers given to me.

Q: What is Omega Ultra Egg?

A: It’s a feed supplement that is made from human-grade, non-GMO, stabilized ground flaxseed high in Omega-3 with folic acid, Vitamin E, and Vitamin B-12 added.

The process Omega Fields uses to stabilize the flaxseed is critical because flaxseed spoils very quickly and its health benefits are known to diminish rapidly without it.

Q: How is Omega Ultra Egg used?

A: The product can either be added to layer rations daily (1/4 cup per every five birds) or provided as a free-choice supplement in a separate dish. Following these recommended amounts will produce Omega-3 enriched eggs containing: 300-350 mg (total) Omega-3 per egg (based on a 50 gram egg). According to poultry nutritionists at Purina Poultry, “...a typical egg provides a mere 65mg of Omega-3 fatty acids..."1

Q: What can Omega Ultra Egg do for my chickens?

A: Omega Ultra egg aids in the formation of strong eggshells and magnificent feathers.

Brilliant plumage? This one I had to see to believe- and I DID! If you follow my Facebook page, you are already familiar with Rachel, my Bantam Cochin Frizzle. Rachel is not new to my flock, yet within the past six months people have begun taking notice of and raving about her beauty. She has become the center of attention daily with thousands of admirers eagerly awaiting her photo-of-the-day. I can attribute one difference to her care and feed management over the past six months- the addition of Omega Ultra Egg to her feed. Rachel is not alone in her radiance either- the difference in the plumage of my chickens is striking.

Q: What can Omega Ultra Egg do for eggs?

A: Hens consuming the product lay eggs that have 8 times more Omega-3 than eggs from hens not fed the supplement. Omega Ultra Egg preserves egg flavor, aroma and nutritional value.

“Despite its apparent nutritional perfection, the egg can be enhanced by improving what is fed to the hen. Hens are very good at incorporating what they eat into the developing egg.” 3

The one question I didn’t think to ask about the product was: “What can Omega Ultra Egg do for me?” The research I read reinforces what we have been hearing on the news about the importance of Omega-3 fatty acids in our diets for years: they help reduce the risk of heart disease, certain cancers, autoimmune disorders, diabetes and more, which is amazing IF your diet contains the levels necessary to reap those benefits.2 One study estimates that a full 50% of Americans are deficient in their Omega-3 dietary intake.4 If I can reap the health benefits of Omega-3 fatty acids by eating fresh eggs produced in my backyard by my pet chickens while avoiding a drastic change in my diet or purchasing expensive fish oil capsules, I’ll take my Omega-3 over-easy, please. Save a fish- eat your Omega Ultra eggs!

I incorporate Omega Ultra Egg into treats recipes for my chickens whenever possible such as in my Flock Block Substitute, Peeps' Pumpkin Pie and Chickens' Soup.

Resources & further reading:

1 http://bit.ly/111EMOS
2http://www.foodinsight.org/Resources/Detail.aspx?topic=Functional_Foods_Fact_Sheet_Omega_3_Fatty_Acids

3 http://purinapoultry.com/all-about-eggs/healthy-chicken-means-healthy-eggs/

4 “Dietary Reference Intakes for Energy, Carbohydrate, Fiber, Fat, Fatty Acids, Cholesterol, Protein and Amino Acids”, 2005. Institute of Medicine of the National Academies, Washington, D.C.

http://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/DRI/DRI_Energy/energy_full_report.pdf

Product Review Note:

I occasionally receive products from sponsors to review as I did in the case of Omega Ultra Egg. I feel it important to test products so that I can speak with authority as to how the product works and share my opinions about it: good, bad or indifferent. My reviews are always fair, thorough and honest. If I have a problem with any product, I tell you about it in my review because that’s what integrity requires, not because I didn't pay for it. Every sponsor who has ever asked me to review one of their products has told me in no uncertain terms that they want my honest assessment and that is what they get from me. Those are the types of good, honest companies I affiliate with and I hope you will too.

May 13, 2013

Chickens, Predators & The Myth of Supervised Free Range

Part of the responsibility I feel in writing my blog and keeping my Facebook page involves bringing awareness to problems and concerns that all chicken-keepers face. We have a lot of fun with stories and pictures of the pleasant side of keeping chickens, but important topics that make us uncomfortable must be addressed as well. My hope in sharing my experiences is that they will provoke constructive dialogue and thought about how we handle these issues individually. How we care for and keep our chickens and property safe is important to discuss, but in the end, our choices are personal and not subject to others' approval.

With all the joys and benefits that come with keeping backyard chickens, there are at least as many heartbreaks and weighty decisions to be made about their care, chief among them, whether or not to permit a flock to free-range. This is a sensitive subject and for good reason- the stakes are high and the emotions it evokes, even higher.

In a predator-free world, who wouldn't prefer allowing their chickens to roam freely, unconstrained by galvanized mesh barriers to explore fresh, clean grounds, manage their own diets by foraging on insects and greens, all while getting plenty of exercise? However, we do not live in a predator-free world and choices must be made based upon our own risk tolerances and what we feel is right.

The Myth of Supervised Free-range
I find that writing about chicken-keeping topics in theory is much easier than writing about actual experiences because the theories must be held up to the bright light of reality. The theory of "supervised free-range" is that one can prevent or stop a predator attack from happening by being physically present with the flock. The concept of supervised free-range seems like a reasonable compromise between the two extremes of complete physical freedom and constant confinement to a limited area. My experience is that supervised free-range does not prevent predator losses. Just prior to dusk last night, a coyote silently and skillfully procured his dinner from my flock as I stood nearby. My rooster, Blaze, immediately rushed to aid his hen, but they were long gone by the time he reached the crime scene.

While I wish it were true that my chickens are safer when I am nearby, it is simply is not the case. Free-ranging chickens, supervised and unsupervised are fair game within the food chain. A predator's hunger takes precedence over any fear of humans and the speed with which they procure their meal, quicker than the eye. While I was armed with only a camera last night, even if I had been holding a loaded firearm, I could not have prevented or stopped the coyote attack from happening.

The attack itself, which occurred right behind me, is not depicted in this video, what the video shows is what was going on in front of me as it happened. By the time I turned around, the coyote was a vanishing blur and all that remained of my hen was a pile of feathers (also not shown).

There is no question that raising chickens on pasture is a more natural experience for chickens or that they are healthier as a result of being able to choose from nature's buffet of greens and protein sources. I prefer that my chickens live their natural lives fully and freely to confinement and if nature claims them back into the food chain, I accept that, grudgingly.

The messages I hope to impart by sharing this experience are that:

the benefits and risks of free-ranging should be thoughtfully weighed;
one's personal risk tolerance for loss should be carefully considered;
what one flock-keeper is comfortable with is the right choice for them- others need not approve.

I am always mindful that we built our house in Nature's backyard, not the other way around and I accept the rules of the game that were in place before we imposed upon it.

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This article is shared with: Homestead Barn Hop, A Life in Balance, SaltTree,The Self-Sufficient Homeacre

May 12, 2013

Clever Chicks Blog Hop #34, plus TWO Giveaways!

2 GIVEAWAYS!

Enter to win:

1) A Vetericyn Wound & Infection Prize Package!

Giveaway includes 3 products of sponsor's choosing.

2) THREE Editions of Grit Country Skills Series Magazines, including: "Guide to Homemade Bread, Guide to Backyard Chickens and Guide to Bees & Honey!"

TO ENTER:

1. SUBSCRIBE to my blog by email, Google Friend Connect, NetworkedBlogs or RSS feed
(all found in upper, left-hand sidebar)
and
2. Leave a COMMENT below!

Giveaway ends 5/19/13 at 5pm EST.

Winners chosen from eligible entries & notified via email if provided or at the bottom of next week's blog hop. Winner has 14 days from the end of the giveaway to claim their prize by emailing their shipping address to: Kathy@The-Chicken-Chick.com

This Week's Featured Blogs

Featured bloggers, you're welcome to grab the Clever Chicks Featured button!

Home Hearted, Lavender Bath Salts

Little Egg Coop, Broody Loves Company

Shoestring Elegance, 1 year anniversary

DIY Louisville, Homemade Enchilada Sauce

We Made That, DIY Water Blob

ImaginAcres, New Addition: English Angora rabbit

About Featured Blogs

Some of my favorite posts and/or most viewed posts will be FEATURED on Clever Chicks next week! I will also pin them to my “Clever Chicks” Pinterest board. The featured bloggers are invited to brag about how clever they are by posting the Clever Chicks "Featured” button on their blogs!

Clever Chicks Blog Hop #34

You’re invited to LINK UP!

Despite the title, this is an equal-opportunity link party!

GRAB MY BLOG HOP BUTTON!

How to Link-up

Share your clever ideas, DIY projects, recipes, tutorials, decorating tips,
stories about your families, chickens, farm animals or other pets!
** No linky parties, giveaways or items for sale please. **

Please use the direct link to your blog post, not to your blog’s home page;
we want to be able to find your clever post!

If you have trouble linking up, please email me the URL to your post and I will add it for you: Kathy@The-Chicken-Chick.com

JOIN ME ON FACEBOOK!

The winner of last week's Clever Chicks Blog Hop giveaways are:
1) Hog Wash Soaps, courtesy of Rural Revolution, LLC: Amanda Geaney!
2) Once Upon a Flock book, Holly (aka: BackyardChickenlady email)!

May 9, 2013

Chicken Anatomy: Nictitating Membrane, The Eyes Have it

As if it weren’t hard enough to snap a good picture of a chicken, the task is made more difficult by bonus body parts. Many an otherwise fabulous chicken photo has been foiled by the appearance of a hazy-looking eye. The hazy-looking eye this photo is caused by a chicken’s nictitating membrane, which is its third eyelid.

This is (St)Eve. He is the king of photo out-takes due to blinking.

The nictitating membrane is located next to the eyeball, underneath its other two eyelids and it operates independently from them. When we think of eyelids, we typically think of two independent halves, closing to meet in the middle of they eye. However, the nictitating membrane has no counterpart, it operates by sliding from the front to the back of the eye, much like a window on a car door.

Nictitating membrane completely closed and Halloween spooky.

The nictitating membrane serves several purposes: to moisten, clean and protect the eye. Dust bathing is prime-time for nictitating membrane viewing if you are so inclined, but pay very close attention, because if you blink, you'll miss it.

In addition to its horizontal operation, and the fact that it has its own lubricating duct, the another unique aspect of the nictitating membrane is that it is transparent, allowing the chicken to see through it when it is closed. If you watch a chicken closely as it scratches and pecks around on the ground, you will notice that its nictitating membane is often closed, which keeps the eyeball protected from injuries and foreign bodies.

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This post is shared with: Homestead Barn Hop

May 6, 2013

Clever Chicks Blog Hop #33, Eight Cake Decorating Tricks & Two Giveaways!

2 GIVEAWAYS!

Enter to win:

1) Two bars of Hog Wash Soaps, courtesy of Rural Revolution, LLC!

2) A copy of the book, Once Upon a Flock, Life with My Soulful Chickens!

TO ENTER:

1. SUBSCRIBE to my blog by email, Google Friend Connect, NetworkedBlogs or RSS feed
(all found in upper, left-hand sidebar)
and
2. Leave a COMMENT below!

Giveaway ends 5/12/13 at 5pm EST.

Cake Decorating Tips & Tricks

My husband holding my daughter's hand. The next time she wears a white dress & veil, she'll be holding his arm. ♥

We celebrated my daughter's First Communion this weekend I made her cake, of course. I thought I'd share a few cake-decorating tips that I've picked up over the years, but please know that I am a cake-decorating amateur and everything I know, I've picked up along the way, so don't expect too much. ☺

1. Use Wilton Cake Release. Forget greasing & flouring cake pans. Cake Release works infinitely better & an 8 oz bottle costs $5.00 and lasts for years.

2. Always level cakes before frosting them. I use a serrated knife & eyeball it. Close enough for jazz.

3. Purchase frosting at a grocery store that contains its own Bake Shoppe. Making decorator icing isn't difficult, but it's time-consuming and messy. I purchase my frosting from the grocery store and it tastes as good as homemade, if not better and actually costs LESS than making it myself.

4. Drop a dollop of frosting on the presentation board & spread it like peanut butter before putting the cake on top of it. This anchors the cake to the board & prevents the cake from sliding off it.

5. Place strips of parchment paper or waxed paper underneath the edges of the cake on the presentation board. This ensures a clean-looking presentation board ultimately. Remove the paper just prior to piping the bottom border of the cake.

6. Always crumb coat or "dirty ice" the cake. Cover the cake with a thin layer of icing without regard for how many crumbs the icing picks up. Allow to dry before frosting the cake with the finishing layer. The dried crumb coat locks in cake crumbs & prevents them from mixing into the frosting you see in the finished project.

Crumb coat can be seen underneath the final layer of icing in this photo.

7. Use a Viva paper towel to smooth icing. After icing has dried slightly, use a paper towel, with no funny waffling or texture and simply use your hand or an offset spatula to smooth the icing.

8. Mark cake lightly with a ruler or other straight edge where some degree of precision is required. Writing or piping in a straight line on a cake free-hand is not within my skill set. I take the help wherever I can get it!

These simple tricks can make a cake look a little more professional for special events.

This Week's Featured Blogs

Featured bloggers, you're welcome to grab the Clever Chicks Featured button!

Anthropologie Inspired DIY Rope Bracelet by Made in a Day.

Murano Chicken Farm, Free Nest Boxes

Lemoine Family Kitchen, Slow Cooker Steak Carnitas & Sauteed Peppers over Cilantro Lime Rice

Schneider Peeps: Chicken Coop Expansion (using free shipping containers from transmission shop!)

About Featured Blogs

Clever Chicks Blog Hop #33

You’re invited to LINK UP!

Despite the title, this is an equal-opportunity link party!

GRAB MY BLOG HOP BUTTON!

How to Link-up

Please use the direct link to your blog post, not to your blog’s home page;
we want to be able to find your clever post!

If you have trouble linking up, please email me the URL to your post and I will add it for you: Kathy@The-Chicken-Chick.com

JOIN ME ON FACEBOOK!

The winner of last week's Clever Chicks Blog Hop giveaways are:
1) Spade & Pitchfork key hangars: Merilee Anderson
2) Farmer's Helper Original Forage Cake: Danielle Anderson

This post is shared with: Adorned from Above, Cheerios & Lattes, Hungry Little Girl, The Pin Junkie, SaltTree