How to Store Eggs that are Collected Cold During the Winter

I'm hoping someone can put this question to rest as I can not find a concrete answer anywhere. I live in Indiana where it currently feels like 10 degrees outside. Inside my 4'x8' coop where my 10 hens roost I simply keep 2-60w bulbs at night to take the chill out of the air. Additionally they have a partition between this roosting room and the 3'x3' section that has the egg laying boxes where an additional 60w bulb is present to keep the eggs from freezing, as my daughters gather the eggs once a day in the evening after school activities. (Collecting multiple times a day is not an option.) During the summer we leave the unwashed eggs on the counter for display, and for lack of room in the fridge. My question is, during the winter evenings the eggs collected are cold (not frozen). Do I need to to keep them cold and place them in the fridge, or is it safe to continue placing them on the counter after they are already cold from the winter temps? My gut tells me to keep them cold, however I have read in other countries they never place them in the fridge even when it is cold outside.

G’Day from down under DavidV15 Welcome!

Not having to deal with freezing temperatures, I am probably the last person qualified to answer your question and eggs that I collect are kept in the fridge until needed.

My thoughts have probably been echoed in the research you have already done and my answer is probably far from concrete, but here goes ….

It is my understanding that sweating of the eggs is not good as it weakens the egg’s natural defense mechanisms, providing a good environment for micro-organisms and their subsequent penetration of the shell. For example, taking them out of the fridge and then storing them on the bench; taking them from a colder outside temperature and putting them inside on the bench may cause sweating.

Similar to what your gut tells you, I would put them in the fridge. However, if they are not sweating during the temperature change, they should be fine on the bench.

[*sweating The eggs do not actually sweat as the water comes from the outside change in temperature upwards, not the inside of the egg]

I hope you enjoy BYC. There are lots of friendly and very helpful folks here so not only is it overflowing with useful information it is also a great place to make friends and have some fun. Unlike non chicken loving friends, family and colleagues, BYC’ers never tire of stories or pictures that feature our feathered and non feathered friends

I never put my eggs is the fridge, collected cold or not. The frozen ones I toss into compost. You'll note those as they will crack open if frozen solid.

Hi and welcome to BYC - thanks for joining us. I have absolutely zero to add, since, like Teila I live in a place where winters don't exist

Best wishes
CT

DavidV15 said:

"Thanks Teila. I've used this site for three years and find it very useful. It wasn't until tonight from your response that I realized the whole world is using it. Hope all is well down under and I hope to visit your country some day! I "Officially" joined tonight to find an answer to my question. Your theory makes sense to me. I will pay attention to the sweating of the eggs.

Click to expand...

Yep, with all the varied time zones it is kinda like BYC is open 24 hours

That got me to thinking, I wonder if there is ever a time that someone is not logged into or looking at BYC; probably not.

Teila's answer makes sense to me too...once they are cold (not frozen, just cold) then keep them cold.

BYC has members from all over the world, that's part of what makes it so interesting. Glad you have found it to be helpful and have joined us!

Hi there and I am glad you joined us!

Welcome to BYC! Looks like @Teila got you covered.