Dirty Eggs for Sale!?

[chickens4jojo]

What ways do you all have to clean your eggs for eating/selling? I really don't want anyone sick from my eggs if I give or sell them (or eat them myself!!)

 

[d.k]

*I was told not to use more than a damp cloth and water until just before cooking the eggs in order to avoid washing off the protein coating or "bloom". Our tap water is chlorinated, so I suppose that has some marginal disinfecting quality. . . . ??

 

[Wolf-Kim]

Most people only clean them when they absolutely have to because the eggs are covered in poo or mud. Dirt, you just simply wipe off. I've heard that cleaning removes the bloom and the eggs go bad much sooner, than they would had they not been washed.

If you are getting muddy or poo-covered eggs, than you have a nestbox issue. The occasional muddy egg isn't bad, it just means the hens are tracking it in from rainy days, but my hens are all clean-legged and I haven't the slightest problem with poo or mud, even on the stormiest of weeks.

If the eggs are visually clean(sometimes you have to pick off the occasional feather or piece of bedding, that's fine) then it's best not to wash them. I think as long as your hens are not pooping in the nestbox and the eggs are getting covered in poop, you do not need to worry about getting sick.

-Kim

 

[jdypat]

Dirty eggs suggest to me a person too busy to have hens.. Before I see dirty eggs I put a new layer of dried grass clipping in the nest or a layer of hay. About twice a month I remove it and replace it with a bit of hay or again, dried grass clippings.
My DH bought a lawn mower that mulches because I fussed about the "hayfield" he left when he didnt mow often enought, now Im "quietly" stressed because I dont have that bit of grass clippings to sprinkle in the nest, shh dont let it be known.
I am so thrilled each and every time I reach into those clean nest and find a clean smooth beautiful and perfect egg, I just cant bear letting them be soiled... just takes a minute.. jdy

 

[pixiechick]

I've read that you can use fine sand paper to get a particular spot clean.

 

[chickens4jojo]

Well, my eggs are not usually dirty as I try to keep their nest boxes very clean for them with fresh straw. Once in a while they get some smudges on them (usually after I have fed them some raisins the day before! LOL) But, I was just wondering about those invisible germs you can't see, I quess.

So... I believe all my eggs would be OK which is comforting because I love having & eating them...and giving some away, too!

They sure taste sooooooo much better than those store bought things I ate for most of my life until about 7 months ago!

And I just love my chickens.

Thanks for the helpful advice folks! This certainly is a super place to come to learn from.

 

[chickens4jojo]

jdypat,,,, Thanks for the advice about grass clippings~~I will use that idea!

 

[Guitartists]

I got a couple dozen eggs from a local lady... there was some dirt, feathers, etc. I didn't wash any of them, just rubbed the loose stuff off before cracking them, after all, I'm not eating the shell

 

[Reece Farms]

Dirty eggs in no way is a sign of somebody "too busy to have hens" Its just a natural process. Chickens are outdoor birds-that are meant to free range, and dig in mud, and eat worms and grubs and whatever they find. The eggs are going to get dirty occasionally-if you ask me its a sign that they are authentically "fresh" eggs.

 

[Laurena]

I have this problem too . Being that I live in the rainy pacific northwest the hens tend to track in a fair bit of mud into the coop and I often get a little dirt on the eggs . Never poo though . I keep the coop and nest boxes spotless . When the weathers nice and it's dry out my eggs are clean , when it's wet and soggy out I often see a bit of dirt on them .