how long are the eggs good to eat?

Aunt Mildred

In the Brooder
10 Years
Feb 13, 2009
32
0
32
How long are the eggs safe to eat if kept in the refrigerator?
Also, sometimes we miss an egg in the coop for a day... or two... How long can they be unrefrigerated and still be good to eat? What about in the summer heat?
 
They're good in the fridge until you eat them, just about
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I've read that if they are kept in the fridge undisturbed and away from the door they can last up to 5 weeks. They just won't be as fluffy and bright as they would be if you ate them soon after being laid.

I've missed eggs a day or two and didn't notice a difference in the winter months, but if I miss one in the summer I toss it back to the girls without a 2nd thought. We have roosters and I have put a fertile egg in a carton that had started to develop....luckily it went to my mother in law who's not too grossed out by that and just tosses it.

Best bet is if you're unsure, give it back to the chickens!
 
Mother earth news had an article earlier this year or late last year - an unwashed egg can be in the fridge for over 6 months w/o going bad.

6 months! - If you wash them though the cuticle is washed off & more water will evaporate causing the eggs to dry up before that.

Also - consider that the egg itself is an embryo - the hen will lay 1 egg per day until she has a clutch & then she will sit on them - they all hatch the same day though right?

Because they will not start to develop in the nest until a week or more has gone by. Long winded - but that means you can safely leave your eggs for up to a week outside or at room temp w/ no development or spoilage. Much longer than that & the embryo will start to develop (for fertile eggs) or go bad.
 
I have had eggs over 4 months without being bad. I was told to check and see if they are still okay by putting in a glass of water. If it floats, it is no good. At that point I just throw back to the chickens. But on the other hand I put my egg in the refrigerator once collected. I was always use to that because I use to have all fertile ones. This time around I only have hens.
 
Actually, if you want to boil them it is a good idea to keep them for a week or two before you try--washing will speed this up some--otherwise they are a pain to peel.
 
Two of you up above say you just toss the egg back to your girls. I hope you do not mean , uncooked! I have always been told never to let your chickens have a raw egg, as that can lead to egg eating. You should always cook/scramble them before giving them back to the girls....
 

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