"Eggsplanation" - Egg Carton Three-Digit Code Deciphered

290 - What does this code mean?
© Photo by Tracey R. Simmons 2017

There is a date and three-digit number on the end of an egg carton, so what does that three digit number mean? How fresh are the eggs when they are put in the carton?

The three-digit number is the date when the eggs where put in the carton. For example, the yellow carton in the above picture has the number 290 printed on it. That means the eggs were put in that carton on October 20^th. The gray carton, pictured below, has the number 327, so those eggs where put in that carton on November 23^rd.

Three-digit codes made easier for you to figure out:

001-031 = January dates

032-059 = February dates

060-090 = March dates

091-120 = April dates

121-151 = May dates

152-181 = June dates

182-212 = July dates

213-243 = August dates

244-273 = September dates

274-304 = October dates

305-334 = November dates

335-365 = December dates

327 below the "SELL" is the three-digit code.
© Photo by Tracey R. Simmons 2017

Now that these date codes have been deciphered by the month they fall in, you can figure out the actually day the number falls on, if you choose. You need to know that this number does not mean the eggs were laid on that date. Those eggs could be up to thirty days old before being put in a carton and sent to the grocery store for you to purchase.

Some of these grocery store egg cartons have "Fresh" stamped on them. In my opinion, this is not fresh, but I am biased because I have my own chickens. I collect and put my eggs in the carton the day they are laid. Then, my eggs are kept refrigerated. I can say as a person who hated eggs as a kid, that there is a taste difference between my truly fresh eggs and store bought eggs.

Which would you prefer?

Take a Look at Nature's Charm and Critters on Our Farm February 12th - 18th, 2017

I purchased The Chicken Spinner for The Hens Nest Inn Girls (my chickens). I managed to make a video, but you will have to click the Youtube link to view it. I hope you enjoy watching the girls with their new toy, which provides treats and entertainment to them. It is entertaining to humans as well. The first day I put it out, the wind was blowing really hard, which blew the spinner around, scaring the girls. Most have managed to get over their fear of it, in other words have gotten over being chicken chickens. 

Click to view The Hens Nest Inn Girls playing with the Chicken Spinner:   https://youtu.be/KqiyENFFsOQ

A Black Australorp's Feather
© Photo by Tracey R. Simmons 2017

Photobombed by Black Australorp
© Photo By Tracey R. Simmons 2017

Click here to find out more about The Chicken Spinner:

http://www.thechickenspinner.com/shop1

All pictures and videos are copyrighted © to Tracey R. Simmons,

creator of Paws4Hearts Rescue, 2017.

Deaf Dog Hope "Asks to be Petted"

Hope with her Doggles on.
© Photo by Tracey R. Simmons 2014

December 29, 2013 was the date I adopted Hope, an approximately eleven month old Border Collie/Husky mix born deaf and surrendered as an older puppy because of her deafness. Although, I found out later that the person who surrendered her used the excuse that this puppy was "cat aggressive."

When I asked to see Hope, at the time named Sweetie, in the Humane Society's lobby to get away from all the barking dogs and to give her lovings, I asked how she was around cats. I was told they didn't know, later told that until they saw her being aggressive they were not going to put that label on her. They knew that when an animal comes in with a disability like deafness, the owner feels guilty for not wanting it for that reason and will use another excuse to give up the animal to appease their conscious.

Hope, Pippin, and Spritzen playing.
© Photo by Tracey R. Simmons

Here we were standing in the lobby surrounded by large cages filled with kittens and adult cats. I watched Hope's interest in the kittens being greater - not in an aggressive way, than her interest in me as a human wanting to pet and love her. I have photos of her while still at the Humane Society - how scared she was just to be touched and hugged. She has come so far in a positive way.

I could tell the day I first saw Hope at the Humane Society that she had love to give. When all the other dogs were barking and jumping around, as I walked through the dog kennel area, Hope just sat, watching me, her blue eyes meeting mine.  I really believe that she could sense the hurt I was feeling for my black lab - Worf, who was basically in hospice care at home, nearing his last day. There was an unexplainable communication that took place at that moment.

I brought Hope home four days after losing Worf on Christmas day. She has never been aggressive towards my cats or the Chihuahuas. In fact, she is extremely gentle with my older cat, Gracie, the Grey.

Hope is indeed a lover at heart. Just last night, she came up to me, sat and looked me straight in the eyes. She was asking to be petted. When I moved my hand towards her, she quickly lowered her head under my hand, bumping it with her head. As I moved my hand across her head and back, the wiggles and bouncing started, so I stopped. She calmed down, sitting beside my legs, waiting. Then, I gently started rubbing her side, and she leaned into me more. She was in heaven.

Pippin wanting Hope to play tug with her.
© Photo by Tracey R. Simmons

Take a Look at Nature's Charm and Critters on Our Farm - January 22nd - February 4th, 2017

The Midwest weather has fluctuated these last two weeks. Warmer temps allowed the honeybees to fly outside their hive. Later temps dipped bring flurries and cold. While nature provided some beautiful photos of sunrises, sunsets, and night skies. In addition, Pippin O'Chi sat still long enough for me to get some nice pictures of her. Enjoy!

All pictures are copyrighted © to Tracey R. Simmons,

creator of Paws4Hearts Rescue, 2017.