About eggs... contradicting info

[Want Less]

Recently I picked up the book Homesteading from the library. First off, pretty good book. Lots of helpful info and pictures of a wide assortment of things.

However in the chicken section, it says that fertilized eggs don't keep as long as unfertilized eggs. Is this true?

It also says to wash your eggs after gathering them, which I have been told by numerous sources to never do because it destroys the egg's natural protective layer.

Can anyone shed any insight here on either of the above?

 

[Chick CJ]

Hmm, I have never heard that fertilized eggs don't keep as long as unfertilized so I can't speak to that. Eggs do have a protective coating referred to as the 'bloom' that seals the egg and keeps bacteria out. You will find that everyone here on BYC has their own preference for either washing or not. I do not wash my eggs until just before using unless they are particularly dirty, which isn't very often as I keep both my coop and nesting boxes clean. When I do wash them I just wet a paper towel with warm water and wipe them off. The reason for the warm water is because the cold water makes them contract and can pull in any bad stuff form the outside. I must confess though there are times when I simply forget to wash them at all. Here is a link to a thread from April 22 that has some really good info on egg washing. I have never tried to copy a link so I hope it works.

CJ




https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=330933

 

[Beekissed]

Never heard of that fact in all these many years...and I've read a lot! I've seen no difference in my own eggs, fertilized or not.

It is personal preference to wash or not. I don't wash and only wipe off smudges with a damp rag. I also do not place my eggs in the fridge right away.

 

[ozark hen]

I also read in some "homesteading" magazine that brown chickens laid brown eggs and white chickens laid white eggs. I wish I could find that article. I was shocked at that statement.

 

[Beekissed]

Black cows give chocolate milk!

Holsteins have two teats of chocolate and two of plain milk.....

 

[ozark hen]

 

[Want Less]

Thanks for the info! I havent found the fertilized eggs info anywhere else yet. All I can find is that as long as you remove eggs daily, you'll never know the difference (which is what I've been told since the beginning).

 

[bakerjw]

Actually if the egg were to contract when washed with cold water it would increase the inner pressure of the egg and force contaminants out through the pores of the egg. Take a soda bottle full of water and squeeze it and the water comes out the top.

I've yet to get any eggs from the girls but my plan is to not wash them until ready for use. If I sell any or give them away I will put a sticker on the carton cautioning that they should be washed prior to use.

 

[gritsar]

Re: fertilized eggs vs. unfertile. A recent study by Mother Earth News actually found that fertile eggs last longer:

http://www.motherearthnews.com/Sustainable-Farming/1977-11-01/Fresh-Eggs.aspx

The study concluded that it wasn't the fact that they were fertile that caused them to last longer, however.

 

[NonnasBabies]

Quote:
Very intresting article!! Thanks for posting!!

Missi