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Egg Float Test—Easy Steps to Tell A Good Egg From A Bad Egg

Float testing your eggs is an easy way to tell if you’ve left your eggs out of the fridge too long & if they are safe to eat. Bad eggs float &...
By KikisGirls · Nov 15, 2017 · Updated Apr 16, 2018 · 1.6K · 3
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  1. KikisGirls
    Not sure if your egg is a freshly laid one or if it's been hiding in the coop for weeks?
    FLOAT TEST IT!!

    These floating eggs are not fresh.
    DSCN4400 (Large).JPG

    Follow these simple steps:
    1. Get an egg.
    2. Fill a cup with water.
    3. Place the egg in the cup of water.
    4. Observe the egg.

    Floating egg = Not Good

    Good eggs will sink to the bottom.

    Fresh Egg Laid Today:
    IMAG5365.jpg


    As the egg gets older it loses moisture through the porous shell and as a result the air cell grows bigger. The bigger the air cell, the more floaty the egg. So this is an indication of how old the egg is. It doesn't mean an egg that sinks to the bottom is a "good" egg though! Trust me I learned that one the hard way. It's only an indication of freshness/age of the egg.

    Eggs that float can also sometimes be quite fine to eat, just a bit… well, not fresh any more.

    Note: When in doubt just crack the egg in a separate dish.
    If you are really in doubt crack the egg in a dish OUTSIDE!

    Share This Article

    Eryniel, nerfworthy, Terri E and 4 others like this.

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  1. bluejeans
    I never thought of doing this to test freshness. Thanks. Some times they hide there eggs and when i find it always wonder how old it is.
    bluejeans, Mar 20, 2018
      KikisGirls likes this.
    1. KikisGirls
      Try it!
      It's so neat!
      KikisGirls, Mar 20, 2018
  2. Terri E
    Had given my daughter a dozen of free range eggs from my flock. Mind you, she not the cooking type, but does try her best. Unfortunately two months later she called asking if the eggs are still eatable. I never knew how to tell between a good or bad. She researched it and said the exact information you just stated, but with pictures.

    You have done an excellent job in providing a simple knowledge that not all knows. Thank you.
    Terri E, Jan 28, 2018
      KikisGirls likes this.
  3. sunflour
    Before I got my own flock and was buying commercial eggs I had noticed for years that bought eggs floated when trying to boil them. I remember when I was young the commercial eggs sunk in the water, and was so egg cited when I had really fresh backyard chickens to see - once again the eggs sink :)

    Thanks for sharing your article.
    sunflour, Nov 30, 2017
      Ladytc, Terri E and KikisGirls like this.

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