Are my eggs safe to eat after being in the hutch for 7 days? I've been on holiday

[skywalker786]

Hi,

I was on holiday for 7 days and my chickens have laid 12 eggs inside the hutch which I normally collect each day.

Whilst I was on holiday the temperature in UK was 15 - 22 degrees.

When I came back I saw the hens where sitting on some of the eggs which they were probably were doing in the last 7
days making the eggs warm inside.

Are the 12 eggs safe to eat given the temperature in UK and eggs being outside in the hutch and the hens sitting on them for last seven days?

Thanks
Shebs

 

[Blackberry18]

They are totally fine to eat. Eggs have a protective covering, called the bloom, which is removed during washing. The bloom prevents bacteria from invading the egg, and eggs only go bad when bacteria comes in. After all, in the olden days, egg weren't refrigerated. Just make sure none of the eggs have cracks, those you can't eat because they do contain bacteria.

 

[jstlitlome]

Do you have a rooster? If they've been brooding on them y could have some partial development going on in there.

 

[Blackberry18]

Do you have a rooster? If they've been brooding on them y could have some partial development going on in there.

Only if the eggs have been incubated by a hen. Development ceases after laying, until it is put under correct temperature and humidity levels. But it's been to cold, so if the egg is fertile, then it could not produce a chick.

 

[jstlitlome]

I just saw shebs said the hens have been sitting on them. So was just asking for clarification.

 

[alibabba]

Unless they have been sitting (as in broody, not moving from the nest) at least 24 hours, they have not begun to develop, is this correct everybody?

It's like leaving them out on the counter for a week, no big deal. God forbid in the US we leave an egg out, we are so weird, and our eggs are washed and such so the bloom is gone....('nother thread!)

Do the water test (floats = old) before you are ready to use them.

Then crack and freeze or cook with them shortly. No worries.

I made scrambled last night from egg test eggs (had been out in the coop or on the porch a couple days in like 80 degree weather.... The big end sorta lifted off the bottom of the water test. Cooked and Served to self and 4 children. All fit and well not a hint of tummy trouble.