Do you sell cleaned eggs or as is?

[ninny]

Quote:
That's backwards. Washing in cold water causes the contents of the egg to shrink, pulling dirt and germs into the interior of the egg. They should be washed in hot water only. This causes the contents to swell, pushing dirt and germs out.
Submerging them is also a big no-no. The minute you submerge them, germs are released into the water and then sucked into the egg.
I had two egg customers that initially wanted washed eggs, then I educated them about the bloom. Now they want them unwashed and they wash them right before using; like the rest of my customers.

Thank you!! I just wipe off any guck with a rag but was always confused on that.

 

[calicokat]

Oh dear. I haven't been washing them at all, thought I wasn't supposed to disturb the bloom. But if they are really icky looking I brush off what I can with my fingers, and then they'll probably not go to customers, or only to the nighbors who get free eggs now and then when I have too many.

 

[JRchickchick]

Just looked up the final answer regarding washing eggs in Storey's guide to Raising Chickens, and found another online source...

"A slightly dirty egg may be brushed off or rubbed lightly with fine grain sandpaper. A seriously dirty egg may be washed in water that is slightly warmer than the egg (cooler water may force bacteria through the shell into the egg). Dry each egg before placing it in the carton. Avoid getting in the habit of routinely washing eggs, since water washes off the natural bloom that helps preserve freshness."

Another online source, from the University of Nebraska, states "Dirty eggs should be washed in water that is at least 20°F (11°C) warmer than the eggs. A good water temperature is 90-120°F (32.2-49°C), or as hot as the hands can tolerate for about 30 seconds or until the egg has been cleaned. This is so the contents of the egg will expand and “push” out any invading microbes.
It is recommended to use a nonfoaming, unscented detergent with which to wash the eggs. Eggs can absorb fragrance from a scented detergent, resulting in an off flavor. Unscented automatic dishwater or laundry detergent can be used. Wear rubber gloves as these materials can irritate the skin. After the initial wash, bleach can be used as a sanitizing dip with a ratio of 1 tablespoon bleach to a gallon of hot water, followed by a rinse."

http://www.ianrpubs.unl.edu/epublic/pages/publicationD.jsp?publicationId=798

Hope this helps.

 

[luvzmychickens]

I'v been sellin' eggs for a few weeks so I'm no expert, but I always wash them in warm water and gently rub them with my hands to get off any feathers, dirt, etc.. just make sure you don't use to hot of water or else you will crack the egg.

 

[LovinMyHensInNC!]

I sell mine in the same manner as I collected them (unless they are really dirty, of course!). I tell my "customers" that if they wish, they can wash them before use with warm water. I am in the business of selling eggs, not cleaning them

I have never had anyone not buy my eggs because they were not prewashed. My customers like the fact that they can also have pretty eggs sitting on their counters versus having to refrigerate them because the bloom was washed off.

 

[LovinMyHensInNC!]

Quote:
I agree... I have seen a huge difference in egg cleanliness when using shavings versus straw. I have switched to pine shavings in all my nest boxes just for this reason!

 

[irf1983]

As is. we don't sell many, people like to bring their kids over to pick them out of the boxes.

 

[chickensducks&agoose]

when the pine shavings are deep and fresh in my duck house, the eggs are CLEAN and of course buried, but don't even need a rinse!

 

[ninny]

My hens won't lay in the boxes unless theres straw in them. I put a layer of shaving s down then straw on top. They love it and the eggs stay clean.

 

[chicmom]

I always wash off the eggs that I sell people. It's because, before I was a chicken owner, I bought some eggs from a farmer friend, and they were filthy. Grossed me out.

I have brown eggs and blue/green eggs, and my customers like to see clean, pretty eggs in a carton.......not poopy eggs.