Eggs left in the rain

[Vincentville farm]

I have one or two chickens who like to lay their eggs on the ground/in dirt. I'm ok with them laying in the dust bin because it is inside. But I'm finding the occasional egg in the run where it is exposed to the rain we are having. When I find it it is cold, filthy, and wet. Is this egg still safe to use? I'm assuming the bloom has been washed off in the rain. Eat or give to dogs?

 

[Debbie292d]

I have one or two chickens who like to lay their eggs on the ground/in dirt. I'm ok with them laying in the dust bin because it is inside. But I'm finding the occasional egg in the run where it is exposed to the rain we are having. When I find it it is cold, filthy, and wet. Is this egg still safe to use? I'm assuming the bloom has been washed off in the rain. Eat or give to dogs?

It should be okay. I've hatched some duck eggs that were disgusting. I would just lay them on paper towels to dry.

 

[Perris]

But I'm finding the occasional egg in the run where it is exposed to the rain we are having. When I find it it is cold, filthy, and wet. Is this egg still safe to use? I'm assuming the bloom has been washed off in the rain. Eat or give to dogs?

Eggs have evolved to be laid in the great outdoors, and be exposed to whatever the weather throws their way until the clutch is complete and the hen decides to sit and incubate them. The bloom has evolved to protect the contents until the egg hatches. They should be fine for you to eat, though if you want a belt and braces approach, you can do the float test and/or break them separately for a sniff test just before using.

 

[SandyRiverChick]

The only time I question an egg is in extreme heat of summer, you're good! But do you want to solve for the laying in the run? Or is it just a rare occurrence, no big?

 

[aart]

I would wash it thoroughly then refrigerate and use it soonest....
...IF I knew it had been laid less than 24 hours ago.

 

[Vincentville farm]

The only time I question an egg is in extreme heat of summer, you're good! But do you want to solve for the laying in the run? Or is it just a rare occurrence, no big?

I would LOVE to break the laying in the dirt pattern but have no idea how to go about it. Any suggestions would be greatly welcome! I also have no idea which of my ladies is doing this. I have one solid suspect but no concrete evidence.

 

[Vincentville farm]

I would wash it thoroughly then refrigerate and use it soonest....
...IF I knew it had been laid less than 24 hours ago.

I gather eggs every day. None of mine go for more than six hours before making it to the house.

 

[Vincentville farm]

Thank you all for your comments. I feel much safer now. I keep the 'ground bound' ones in my fridge (after washing). I only sell clean unwashed ones. 'Ground bound' never make the cut.

 

[SandyRiverChick]

I would LOVE to break the laying in the dirt pattern but have no idea how to go about it. Any suggestions would be greatly welcome! I also have no idea which of my ladies is doing this. I have one solid suspect but no concrete evidence.

Do you have pics of your setup? How many nest boxes, how many chickens?

 

[Vincentville farm]

Do you have pics of your setup? How many nest boxes, how many chickens?

I have 6 nests. Five in the big room and one in the small room. I have 25 chickens. 24 hens and 1 rooster. I also have 2 dust bins. As you can see, the one in the smaller room needs more in it but it was in use at the time. The egg layer for outside usually drops it in the big run about 5 feet from the door.
Any suggestions on getting her, and the one laying in the dust bin to choose the nesting boxes would be appreciated. I'm certain that they are from my later batch because I didn't have this trouble until my youngest (6) ones started laying. They came to me at about 4 1/2 months old from a free range environment. My original girls (17) have always been run raised because of predators. I have an older hen who was free range and came to me after the rest of her flock was killed by predators. She initially laid in the dirt or the dust bin but moved to the boxes after my first group started laying in the boxes.