My humble days in ancient times

After six months of free-range feeding, the chickens, ducks, and geese in the chicken coop finally started laying eggs. This kept Aunt Li and Madam Jiang very busy. They shuttled between the chicken coops all day, busy collecting eggs from the ducks and geese.

Aunt Li held an egg she had just picked up in her hand, looked at it carefully again and again, and couldn't help saying, "It's quite big." A surprised smile spread across her face, and her eyes were full of love for the egg.

When Jiang heard what Aunt Li said, she responded with a smile, "Some particularly large eggs have double yolks!" After that, she lowered her head and carefully searched for newly laid eggs in the fixed chicken coop in the grass.

After the two finished their conversation, they didn't dare to pause for a moment and began to work again. Aunt Li bent over, carefully checking every corner, afraid to miss an egg. Jiang carefully placed the eggs she found into the basket, her movements gentle, as if she were a precious treasure.

From time to time, the clucking sound of hens laying eggs could be heard from the chicken coop.

The peak egg-laying season for chickens is usually in spring and autumn. The climate in these two seasons is suitable, feed resources are abundant, and the chickens' physical functions are in good condition.

In the summer, due to the high temperature, the chickens' appetite may decrease and their egg production may decrease. In the winter, the cold weather and short daylight hours may also affect the chickens' egg production.

In addition, chickens may stop laying eggs or their egg production may decrease if they are sick, frightened, have unbalanced feed, or live in a harsh breeding environment.

Chickens usually stop laying eggs during their molting period. This is a natural physiological phenomenon in which chickens renew their feathers and restore their physical strength.

Xu Qinghe couldn't help but praise: "Building this chicken farm is definitely worth it." His face was full of satisfaction and pride, and his eyes revealed his satisfaction with the achievement.

When Xu Ruyi heard her elder brother's praise, she couldn't help but cover her mouth and smile. That smile was as bright and charming as a flower blooming in spring.

Xu Ruyi looked around and saw chickens strolling leisurely across the ground. Some held their heads high and walked confidently, as if surveying their territory; others lowered their heads, paddling the ground with their claws, as if searching for treasure; and still others gathered in groups of three or five, clucking occasionally as if sharing something interesting.

The whole scene is full of vitality and vigor, giving people a sense of natural and harmonious atmosphere.

At this time, the six or seven-month-old rooster has begun to show its majestic appearance. Its comb has begun to become bright red and large, standing upright on its head like a bright crown, showing its majesty.

The feathers are brightly colored and layered.

It is relatively large in size, with an upright posture, a vigorous and powerful gait, sharp and alert eyes, and from time to time it holds its head high and chest puffed out, making loud cries.

Hens aged six or seven months are more docile and reserved. Their combs are smaller, and their feathers are not as colorful and eye-catching as those of roosters. They are slightly smaller than roosters, with rounder bodies and lighter movements.

At this stage, the hen has the physiological characteristics to conceive eggs, and her pelvis gradually widens. Her eyes are gentle, her calls are relatively soft, and she spends more time searching for food or quietly preening her feathers.

Xu Ruyi looked at the duck again.

Ducklings that are six or seven months old have already lost their childish appearance as ducklings.

The drake's plumage becomes fuller and more colorful, and the head and neck may have a dark green or purple-blue sheen. The chest is broad and the wings are powerful.

Its beak became hard and wide, its cry became loud and deep, its feet became thick and strong, its steps became steady and powerful, and its posture became agile when it swam in the water.

The female duck is now more rounded, and its feathers, though not as colorful as the male duck's, are still neat and shiny. Its head is relatively small, and its eyes are bright and lively.

Female ducks usually have softer calls than male ducks and move more gracefully. Their feet are equally strong, allowing them to move freely in the water, looking for food or playing.

Finally, Xu Ruyi looked at the goose carefully again.

I saw that the geese, which were only six or seven months old, already looked like adult geese.

The gander is tall and robust, with its head held high and chest puffed out, exuding a majestic presence. Its feathers are as white as snow. The large, prominent tumor on its head, a vibrant orange-red, resembles a noble crown.

Its eyes are bright and sharp, full of alertness. Its paws are broad and powerful, and it walks with a steady gait. Its bark is loud and high-pitched, as if announcing its presence to those around it.

The female goose is slightly smaller than the gander, yet no less elegant. Its feathers are equally white, but with a slightly softer sheen. The tumor on its head is smaller and paler in color.

The goose has a gentle and kind look in its eyes, a low and soft cry, and a docile demeanor.

Xu Ruyi packed a basket of chicken eggs, a basket of duck eggs, and a basket of goose eggs.

The eggs were bright in color and about the same size.

The duck eggs are of different sizes, and the shells of the duck eggs are light green, exuding a fresh and natural scent.

Finally, the basket was filled with round goose eggs, large and plump, giving people a heavy sense of satisfaction.

When she got home, she first washed the fresh duck eggs and dried them, making sure there was no dirt or moisture left on the surface of the eggs to avoid affecting the pickling effect.

Then put water in the pot and cook the spices for ten minutes. Finally, add an appropriate amount of salt and stir until the salt is completely dissolved. Turn off the heat and let it cool to make the brine for pickled duck eggs.

Then soak the dried duck eggs one by one in high-proof white wine for a while. This can sterilize them and help the duck eggs produce oil.

Finally, place the duck eggs soaked in baijiu in a sealed container and pour in cool salt water, making sure the salt water covers the eggs. Then marinate for about 20-30 days.

Xu Ruyuan and Xu Qingyan stood nearby, watching quietly, their eyes full of curiosity.

Finally, Xu Ruyuan couldn't help but ask, "Sister, what are you doing?"

"Pickled duck eggs." Xu Ruyi answered without raising her head.

"Is it delicious?" Xu Qingyan asked, blinking her big eyes.

Xu Ruyi smiled and nodded.

More than 20 days later, Xu Ruyi bustled around in the kitchen, soon serving up a feast of egg dishes. She scrambled eggs with chopped green onions, steamed goose egg custard, and boiled duck eggs, which she then sliced ​​into small pieces and meticulously arranged on a plate.

Xu Qinghe, Xu Ruyuan and Xu Qingyan were all stunned when they saw the eggs on the table.

Xu Ruyuan asked curiously, "Sister, is this a gathering of eggs?"

Xu Qingyan said mischievously: "It's a meeting of bad guys."

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone burst into laughter.

Xu Qinghe sternly taught him: "Don't talk nonsense."

Xu Qingyan pouted her lips high, looking unconvinced.

"Try them, they are all eggs laid by the chickens, ducks and geese raised at home. This is scrambled eggs with green onions, this is steamed goose eggs, and this is salted duck eggs." Xu Ruyi explained patiently.

Xu Qinghe sat down and his eyes fell on the plate of duck eggs. He saw that the egg white had become firm and elastic, showing a translucent light blue color, while the egg yolk was full of red oil.

He picked up a duck egg and said, "I heard that you pickled the duck eggs for half an hour. I'd like to try it today." After that, he put the duck egg into his mouth. In an instant, the delicate and soft texture, the oily taste and the rich salty fragrance spread in his mouth, leaving people with an endless aftertaste.

Xu Qinghe nodded with satisfaction and said, "It's delicious. This salted duck egg is good."

Xu Ruyi nodded: "Pickled duck eggs can also be used to make various delicacies, such as chopping the whole duck egg and mixing it with tofu."

Xu Qinghe thought for a moment and said, "It's also good as a cold dish."

Xu Ruyuan and Xu Qingyan secretly tasted the goose egg custard and found it to be no different from chicken eggs, at least they couldn't tell the difference. Then they ate a duck egg and found it incredibly salty. They quickly drank water, looking adorable and drawing laughter from everyone.