Egg storage ?

[WikkitGateFarm]

Our state requires shell egg producers to refrigerate all eggs at 45ºF or colder immediately after processing, and keep them that way until sold. I think that comes from the US food code, but I'm not sure.

Eggs can pick up bacteria while still in the hen, before the shell forms. This bacteria will grow faster at warmer temperatures. Refrigeration slows that down a bit, and slows down general decomposition. Cooking does quite a number on any pathogens, if it's hot enough, long enough.

Since here we all are standing right behind our laying hens with eager anticipation, snatching up the eggs before they hit the straw, I think you're probably ok not refrigerating for that first day, especially if you're not in a "sensitive population" (which is the nice way of saying prone to dying from a bad egg: very young, very old, or immune compromised). I wouldn't eat them raw, though! Just realize that you're increasing your risk of having a really really unpleasant few days on the toilet.

My eggs go right into the fridge.

 

[Nichole77]

Americans are one of the few cultures that refrigerates eggs. Most don't.

 

[jmschristiansen]

The countries I lived in (in South America) had their eggs out on the shelves, next to cereal or whatever. I also saw an article on egg storage in an old back issue of Mother Earth News, where they compared different storage methods, and it seems that in a cool dark place, (a pantry) they said they would last several weeks. It has been a long time since I saw the article.

However, as one of the previous posters said, their state code requires that eggs for sale to the public be refrigerated. So stick them in the fridge, and stay out of trouble.

 

[Bawkadoodledoo]

Quote:
indeed, if you have a hot frying pan in your hand and you catch the egg after it pops out of the cloaca you can have the freshest egg ever