Egg collecting? and Refridge?

[evhammond1200]

Im just getting started with new chicks and researching everything
I can. Do fresh eggs need to be immediatly refridgerated and how often should I check for eggs or collect them a day?

 

[mikden]

Hello, I've read that eggs are okay to eat up to a couple of days at room temp., but the longest we've left the eggs is one day out on the counter and then put them in the fridge and they are fine. We usually check for eggs once or twice a day depending on when we're doing errands near the hen house......unless it's very hot out it doesn't seem to make a difference. I'm sure the more knowledgable members here can give you exact time periods for how long the egg is good for at what temps.... good luck and enjoy!!

 

[Ridgerunner]

Welcome to this forum.

Glad you are here.

Unless you live in an area where the egg will freeze during the day in the nest or it gets really hot, once a day is often enough.

When the hen lays an egg, she puts a substance on it, called bloom, to help keep bacteria out of the egg. If you wash the egg, you remove the bloom. This does not mean the egg immediately spoils, just that it will not last as long as one not washed.

As long as an unwashed egg is kept below 76 degrees, it will last for several weeks and probably several months on your kitchen counter. If you refrigerate the egg, it will last even longer. If you wash an egg, you should refrigerate it.

Commercial eggs are washed and refrigerated. They last a long time. If you wash an egg, you should wash it in water a little warmer than the egg. The egg has an air sac in it. If the egg cools off like it will if you wash it in cold water, the air sac shrinks which creates a suction through the porous egg shell which can cause water to enter the egg, possibly taking bacteria in with it.

Mother Earth performed a study on storing eggs which is very interesting. Here is a link.

Storing Eggs
http://www.motherearthnews.com/Sust...ggs-a-Year-or-More-Without-Refrigeration.aspx