Day 181 - Cartons R’ Us
When people found out we produced eggs, they asked if we needed cartons. We decided we’d rather have a surplus than a deficit so we started our egg carton collection. We took an old cabinet we had acquired and installed it in our chicken stall adjacent to the coops. This still held extra food, winter chicken supplies, and a cabinet of cartons.
The cabinet filled up quickly, but not necessarily in an orderly fashion. Before chickens, I didn't pay much attention to the different cartons. I was used to the cardboard-esque dozen-sized cartons.
As people provided us cartoons, we saw there were 18-egg sizes, 24-egg sizes, and even a few half dozen cartons. While most were in rectangular shapes, a few were square. We had cardboard, styrofoam, and plastic. Most were brown or gray but some were clear and transparent. My daughters were especially fond of a few pink ones thrown into the mix.
When we gave eggs to others, we usually used the regular dozen-sized cartoons. If there were special requests from multiple dozens, we threw the eggs in some of the larger sized cartons as we preferred the regular cartons over the non-standard ones.
Many of our members saved the cartons their eggs came in and even acquired others so our stock of cartons is usually quite healthy. In fact, we get mystery cartons delivered all the time. Sometimes, we will come home from an outing and some cartons will be waiting on the porch. Sometimes, a few cartons will be placed in my classroom. Sometimes, someone will reach out via text or social media and provide cartons. To be short and sweet, we have never seen an egg carton we didn't like.
Being on the farm, we continue to find ways to use items in new ways and have a harder time saying no to items we could potentially find a use for. Even egg cartons have multiple purposes.
Considering we continue to acquire errant golf balls from our golf course neighbor to the north, we appreciate the cartons and will continue to find ways to use them.
If you ever need any, I foresee a kid-led golf ball/egg sale approaching.
