Care of gathered eggs with the eggs prior to using them?

[Werehen]

I realize we won’t be seeing eggs yet from our girls but what do I do once they start laying? How often should I look? Is there anything special I need to do prior to cooking them?

 

[hispoptart]

When they start laying you should collect the eggs everyday. I wash them before cooking them.

 

[LizzzyJo]

Check everyday, but you will get used to their lay schedule. Wash them right before using to not remove the bloom. With the bloom intact you can leave them out on the counter for over a month (longer if you wish).

 

[blackdog043]

I get the eggs once a day in the evening. I use a moist paper towel to wipe any that are dirty, then refrigerate. I don't do anything to the clean ones before I use them, they are kept on the counter or sold.

 

[CindyinSD]

If they’re dirty, you can either sand off the soil with fairly fine sandpaper and/or wash in warm water. No need to buy the fancy egg wash products. As has been said, wash just before using them.

You *can* leave them unrefrigerated, but I don’t. It seems to me they stay fresher in the fridge. As they age, the white thins out. Really fresh eggs don’t spread in the pan as much as older ones do.

Also they can be a real challenge to peel if you boil them. I steam mine in my instant pot for 6 minutes, quick release, then unload them directly into ice & water. Peel as soon as they’re cooled off and store in the fridge.

 

[aart]

There are almost as many ways to handle eggs as there are chicken keepers.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/search/59312242/?q=egg+storage&t=post&o=date&c[title_only]=1

https://www.backyardchickens.com/search/59312272/?q=egg+cleaning&t=post&o=date&c[title_only]=1

https://www.backyardchickens.com/search/59312360/?q=egg+washing&t=post&o=date&c[title_only]=1