...and now they start laying

[sorrymrsjackson]

We have three hens and were fairly certain they weren't laying so aside from feeding/watering, their nest boxes weren't being checked daily in between cleanings. We opened the nesting box yesterday and found 11 eggs! It had been about 6 days since our last check.

Do we have to throw out all of the eggs? Of we can't collect them daily (when were out of town), how long can they sit before collection?

 

[sunflour]

I would trash them to your compost and start checking the nests daily. And be happy they are laying now!!!!

 

[AnnieSantiago]

You can put them in cold water and see which ones are good or not.
My grandma used to do that.
If they lay on the bottom, they're ok.
If they float, they're rotten.
6 days isn't that long, really?

 

[sunflour]

I know old eggs float, but is that true for spoiled ones???

 

[sorrymrsjackson]

I heard they do because of the decomp gases in the egg.

We tested them in the water and none floated. they all laid pretty flat.

 

[AnnieSantiago]

I'd crack them open and probably eat them if they don't stink and look ok.
I bet they're ok.
When I was a kid (I'm 62) we used to keep eggs on the kitchen counter for days and days.

 

[David1998]

I guess it depends on how hot it is outside. Eggs will keep out at room temp for a good while (weeks) if not washed. Keeping them in the frige helps them stay fresher and last longer. There was a story about it here a short while back.

If it was me, I'd crack them individually one at a time. If they smell good and look fine, eat them. If they're off just a little, cook and feed them to the chickens. If they're way off, compost.