Found Eggs - Need Reassurance

[tjcib]

My wife and I found two stashes of eggs totaling 67 eggs! (Pics attached) I need reassurance that we can eat them, here's why:

We have 6 hens, but only as of 5 days ago. Prior to that we only had 2 hens. So best case scenario is that all 6 layed every day for the past 5 days, resulting in 30 eggs. So that other 37 eggs were layed by only two hens, meaning they have been sitting on the ground outside for at least 18 days...

We did the float test:
tossed out those that float (5)
separated those that were starting to stand up (6) and will hard-boil those
packaged and refrigerated those that stayed on the bottom (56)

Someone please reassure me that we can eat these eggs with joy.

 

[hysop]

My wife and I found two stashes of eggs totaling 67 eggs! (Pics attached) I need reassurance that we can eat them, here's why:

We have 6 hens, but only as of 5 days ago. Prior to that we only had 2 hens. So best case scenario is that all 6 layed every day for the past 5 days, resulting in 30 eggs. So that other 37 eggs were layed by only two hens, meaning they have been sitting on the ground outside for at least 18 days...

We did the float test:
tossed out those that float (5)
separated those that were starting to stand up (6) and will hard-boil those
packaged and refrigerated those that stayed on the bottom (56)

Someone please reassure me that we can eat these eggs with joy.

I personally would crack them individually as I make them. Because looks and smell can tell more apart from doing the float test.

I’ve found many eggs like that when I would let my chickens free range and that’s what I did.

I would give the ones I thought were funny to my dog. He had a nice shiny coat.

 

[tjcib]

I personally would crack them individually as I make them. Because looks and smell can tell more apart from doing the float test.

I’ve found many eggs like that when I would let my chickens free range and that’s what I did.

I would give the ones I thought were funny to my dog. He had a nice shiny coat.

Thanks. Good advice. We will definitely inspect each one before it gets thrown into the pan/pot.

But on a positive note... my chickens are laying!

 

[SueT]

I agree w all the guidelines in post #2. You are going to cook them, which will kill any bacteria, so enjoy!

 

[BReeder!]

My wife and I found two stashes of eggs totaling 67 eggs! (Pics attached) I need reassurance that we can eat them, here's why:

We have 6 hens, but only as of 5 days ago. Prior to that we only had 2 hens. So best case scenario is that all 6 layed every day for the past 5 days, resulting in 30 eggs. So that other 37 eggs were layed by only two hens, meaning they have been sitting on the ground outside for at least 18 days...

We did the float test:
tossed out those that float (5)
separated those that were starting to stand up (6) and will hard-boil those
packaged and refrigerated those that stayed on the bottom (56)

Someone please reassure me that we can eat these eggs with joy.

I would float test them first. Toss the floaters. Then candle the remainders looking for any small cracks. Make cracked ones the first you cook. Check them as you crack each then as @hysop said. If it's questionable, don't eat it.
Also try to work your way through the eggs fairly quickly. If some are several weeks old they may spoil soon. You can make quiche or a breakfast casserole and freeze it. If you slice such dishes before freezing, it's easier to take what you need each day to reheat.

 

[Folly's place]

I'm in the 'when in doubt, throw it out' camp myself. And, if I won't eat it neither will my house dogs!
Five dozen eggs would be garbage here, way cheaper than one case of food poisoning!
Have you ever opened a rotten egg in the house?
Mary

 

[hysop]

I guess I should clarify. My dog is a strictly outside dog (by his own choice) so he’s used to eating rats and mice he catches so I figure an old egg won’t hurt him, sometimes I’ll cook him the ones I don’t want to eat.

But yes, def do the float test first, then crack them individually as you go. Sorry if I wasn’t clear on that when I said I would crack them first. (So if your pets are strictly indoor pets, maybe don’t give it to them if you don’t want to smell nasty farts or have accidents from an egg that didn’t sit well with them.

 

[hysop]

Thanks. Good advice. We will definitely inspect each one before it gets thrown into the pan/pot.

But on a positive note... my chickens are laying!

Yay that your chickens are laying. I would probably contain them in their coop and run for a few days so they learn to lay their eggs in nest boxes and not hide em. Although with free ranging chickens they will almost always want to hide them.

 

[aart]

Floating an egg will only tell you how old it might be.
They float due to evaporation when older.
It will NOT tell you if an egg is 'good' or 'bad'.
Plus then you've wetted the egg so it should be thoroughly washed and refrigerated.

When in doubt....
Open eggs one at a time in a separate dish before adding to pan or recipe,
use your eyes, nose, and common sense to decide if egg is OK to eat.

 

[tjcib]

I'm in the 'when in doubt, throw it out' camp myself. And, if I won't eat it neither will my house dogs!
Five dozen eggs would be garbage here, way cheaper than one case of food poisoning!
Have you ever opened a rotten egg in the house?
Mary

I have three pre-teen sons. 5 dozen eggs is what we call breakfast =)
I was getting frustrated that my girls weren't producing enough (we were only getting a few a day). But if they keep this pace, my boys will be like Gaston in Beauty and the Beast.