Egg question

[MyThreeChickens]

Hello,
I’m somewhat new to this as my husband, who was the one who took care of the chickens, passed away at the beginning of the month. So forgive me if this may sound like a dumb question.
One of our hens has been roosting on the eggs where the chickens prefer to lay. There is still room in the box but they all like this one corner.
Anyways, because of that, I found several eggs in their sleeping area, where there is also poop.
My question is- are the eggs still ok to wash and eat or should they be discarded?
Thanks,
Carol

 

[Hencraze24]

Wash and disinfect them. Our girls do this too, and the eggs still taste fine. So yes, they are okay to eat.

 

[PirateGirl]

Wash them, refrigerate them, make sure you cook them thoroughly when the time comes. Yes they are safe to eat. You would not believe what my duck eggs look like some days. If people knew what eggs can look like, I'm not sure they would eat them.

Is there anything you might be able to modify to protect this area from getting so dirty? Can you add a piece of cardboard or something under the roost so the droppings don't land below?

I know it's hard and sometimes chickens don't lay where we want them to or fight over a favorite nest box. I know in my own coop if the favorite nest box is occupied I find eggs in undesirable locations too!

 

[MyThreeChickens]

Wash and disinfect them. Our girls do this too, and the eggs still taste fine. So yes, they are okay to eat.

Thank you! What should I use to disinfect them?

 

[PirateGirl]

Make sure you wash with warm water, at least 20 degrees warmer than the temp of the eggs. (USDA recommendation) This avoids the bacteria being sucked into the shell due to the temp difference.

 

[Ninjasquirrel]

Thank you! What should I use to disinfect them?

You can buy egg wash from several farm supply stores.

 

[PirateGirl]

"Dirty eggs can be a health hazard if they are not properly cleaned and sanitized. Dirty eggs should be washed using an unscented dishwashing liquid or another food-grade detergent. Water temperature should be no less than 110°F and no more than 120°F. For information on USDA-approved egg washing compounds, go to http://www.nsf.org/usda/PSNCListings.asp and look for Shell Egg information under Q1.

After washing the eggs, they should be sanitized by dipping or spraying using a chlorinated or hydrogen peroxide solution. To dip, make up a basin containing 1 to 2 gallons of 120°F water and bleach at 100-200 PPM chlorine. A 200 PPM chlorine solution can be made by mixing 1 oz bleach with 1 gallon of water. To spray eggs, a spray bottle with 120°F water and bleach at 100-200 PPM is good. If eggs are to be used for retail sales, a chemical method of sanitization should be used. For guidance from the FDA on sanitizing shell eggs, go to Egg Safety Page from FDA.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has published a Fact Sheet on the safe handling of shell eggs. Go to the Egg Safety Page from the FSIS to find more information."

 

[Perris]

hello @MyThreeChickens ! welcome to BYC
sorry to hear of your loss You will find lots of people here ready with help and support whenever you need it.
Besides the dirty egg issue, it sounds like you have a broody. Are you OK with that?

 

[MyThreeChickens]

hello @MyThreeChickens ! welcome to BYC
sorry to hear of your loss You will find lots of people here ready with help and support whenever you need it.
Besides the dirty egg issue, it sounds like you have a broody. Are you OK with that?

Thank you. I remember she did this once before, and eventually stopped. I’d love any information you can tell me about anything special I need to do with/for her.
Appreciate all the help!

 

[Perris]

don't mention it Carol; happy to help if I can
do you want more chickens ?
(a) if so, do you have a rooster? if so, mark the eggs she's on; if not, get some hatching eggs and pop them under her; then let her sit, and remove any other eggs that appear under her over the next 3 weeks or so. Then with a bit of luck you'll have some chicks
(b) if not, the recommended treatment seems to be to put her in a dog crate until she gives up (though I have not done that myself), which apparently takes a few days, and may need to be repeated.