Are the eggs still good?

[Naz223]

After hunting through the forest all day, I finally found my escapee hen’s ninja nest. But how do I tell if the eggs are still good? There were three, I know they can’t be more than 2 or 3 weeks old. Unless they’re months old, but a wild animal or bird would have found them by now. Does the float trick really work? It’s in the shadows and it’s been cool and damp here for the last 2 weeks or so.

 

[hysop]

The float test will give you an idea of how old they are. If they float I probably wouldn’t eat them. If you have an outside dog I would just give it to them. But even if they pass the float test check them individually as you cook them.

 

[Naz223]

The float test will give you an idea of how old they are. If they float I probably wouldn’t eat them. If you have an outside dog I would just give it to them. But even if they pass the float test check them individually as you cook them.

Will it be obvious when I crack them?

 

[hysop]

Will it be obvious when I crack them?

Yes, you’ll know by smell (but you can know by smell before you even crack them). Don’t bother cracking open the ones that float.

Sometimes when you crack them open if they come out all liquidity and the yolk is busted, those are a no-go or of the white part is really runny, I do not eat those

 

[Folly's place]

Three eggs of uncertain age? Throw them out! Why take a chance, it's not worth it!
Mary

 

[hysop]

I second what Folly’s place said, but just for your knowledge I’d still crack em and check them but I’m the type that likes to gain knowledge from the random-est things.

 

[Naz223]

I second what Folly’s place said, but just for your knowledge I’d still crack em and check them but I’m the type that likes to gain knowledge from the random-est things.

Normally I would just toss them, but with this pandemic, you can’t buy eggs right now. They’re precious.

 

[hysop]

Normally I would just toss them, but with this pandemic, you can’t buy eggs right now. They’re precious.

I see where you’re coming from. Then yeah just crack em open one at a time (after/if they’ve passed the float test) and if they still look like an egg you’d eat then it’s good.

 

[Mylied]

I'd candle them first so you don't get an especially nasty surprise. Then float them (but really they float because the air cell gets bigger, so if you see a big air cell when candling, they're old), and then crack them.

 

[aart]

Does the float trick really work?

No, not really......but it keeps getting passed around.

Floating an egg will only tell you how old it might be.
They float due to evaporation when older.
It will not tell you if an egg is 'good' or 'bad'.
Plus then you've wetted the egg so it should be thoroughly washed and refrigerated.

When in doubt....
Open eggs one at a time in a separate dish before adding to pan or recipe,
use your eyes, nose, and common sense to decide if egg is OK to eat.