Boiled Eggs...what am I doing wrong???

[Juliehoward]

Hello,

I'm very new to keeping chickens, and really enjoying it.

I have 4 lovely hens and they're very happy and healthy and laying well.

The question I have is.....

today I boiled a few eggs for a salad, and the shells were really difficult to remove as the shells were wanting to stick to the white of the egg. It doesnt bother me, and they tasted lovely, but we have friends coming over tomorrow for a bbq and wondered if I was doing something wrong (i would like the eggs to look AND taste perfect tomorrow lol)

the eggs boiled were 4 days old

thanks
Julie

 

[DALBERT]

When the chickens get older the shell will seperate easier.

 

[ScoobyRoo]

Can't hard boil eggs that fresh. Some hold them for at least 3 weeks before hard boiling them. Some have their own tricks too. Just have to find one that works for you.
Good luck

BTW

 

[Juliehoward]

thank you for that...trouble is we only have 4 hens....and try to keep the eggs down to about 6 on stock....so we give some away to neighbours and never have an egg thats 3 weeks old lol

might keep some on stock in future !!!!

thanks again
Julie

 

[Picky Chicky]

I've been told that a hint of vinegar or a hint of salt will help. I've tried the salt trick and it didn't help me any. I haven't tried the vinegar yet.

Edited: The vinegar or salt would go in the water the eggs are boiled in. Forgot that part.

 

[mwdh1]

Some people say You can add some salt to the water, and that will help the shells come loose, You may also try dropping them in Ice water imeadiately when you take them out of the pan.

 

[Carolyn]

There are lots if threads on here that tell you how to boil fresh eggs. (I've never gotten my hens eggs aged enough to peel good; really makes you wonder eggsactly how old those store eggs are!!)

Do a search and you will find a lot of suggestions. Personally I add a generous amount of salt to my eggs before boiling. Bring to a boil, turn to simmer for 15 minutes. Immediately cool with cold water and peel.

Good luck with the eggs and with the barbeque!! Make them want some egg makers in their own backyard and you will officially be a sucessful back yard chicken pro; after all it's all about addiction on here!!!!

 

[giasmom]

I hard boil my BR eggs all the time. You just need to peel them when they are still warm. The shell will come off much easier that way. Also I found if you are going to put them in the fridge after boiling, add a drop or two of veggie oil in the water as they are boiling this will help with peeling cold eggs. This is just what I found works for me!

 

[Juliehoward]

Well thanks for that. I suppose its trial end error, but will have a go at some of the suggestions.

Juile

 

[momof247371]

you want too use older eggs, not fresh, for hardboiling! the shells will come of ALOT easier....