Freezing egg issues anyone?

[Euphillia]

We got our first real snow with very cold temps here in southern Colorado yesterday. I only have one lady laying as of now. I went out yesterday around the time she usually lays and saw no egg, but had noticed that since there was 2 inches of snow on the ground they had ZERO interest in leaving the coop and had been scratching around quite a bit in the coop, including the egg box. Well this resulted in the egg being kicked out and missed(Doh!!) until I went to close them up for the nite. Results, rock hard, frozen, cracked egg. Bummer.

Frozen eggs often an issue in extreme temps and is there anyway to help that issue? I cannot imagine chickens lay eggs at the same time everyday and I nkow not everyone can go out once a every couple hours to check on it. We are going to put up a higher kick board across the box as soon as weather permits to keep the soccer match at bay next time.

Thanks
Christine

 

[ronott1]

We got our first real snow with very cold temps here in southern Colorado yesterday. I only have one lady laying as of now. I went out yesterday around the time she usually lays and saw no egg, but had noticed that since there was 2 inches of snow on the ground they had ZERO interest in leaving the coop and had been scratching around quite a bit in the coop, including the egg box. Well this resulted in the egg being kicked out and missed(Doh!!) until I went to close them up for the nite. Results, rock hard, frozen, cracked egg. Bummer.

Frozen eggs often an issue in extreme temps and is there anyway to help that issue? I cannot imagine chickens lay eggs at the same time everyday and I nkow not everyone can go out once a every couple hours to check on it. We are going to put up a higher kick board across the box as soon as weather permits to keep the soccer match at bay next time.

Thanks
Christine

I am so sorry to hear this!

It is not that cold here so I do not have to worry about frozen stuff. Other than checking all the time, can you get a heating pad out there? You can buy nest pads that are plastic and put the heating pad under it. Set it on low and it should keep it warm enough to keep the eggs from freezing. The next pad on top will keep the hens from ripping up the heating pad.

Try posting your question on your state thread in the social section here.

 

[donrae]

I can't help you much as my weather's pretty mild and our eggs only freeze occasionally, but just wanted to say if you want to see something funny, give that eggscicle to your dog!

 

[WalkingOnSunshine]

Before I was at home and could check several times a day, frozen eggs were the norm for us. What we did was aim a couple of heat lamps at the nest boxes, just to raise the temp a little bit. When we got home from work, we gathered eggs ASAP and turned off the lamp for the night. We turned on the light when we opened the coop each morning.

 

[jbull380]

So if an egg does freeze does that ruin it? Can it be thawed and eaten? Never thought about till today after I got home late and brought 10 eggs in that we're probably frozen.

 

[PrairieChickens]

You can eat eggs that have been frozen. The only problem is if they crack, because then dirt and bacteria can get into them. I used to have a problem with our eggs freezing in the refrigerator, because someone would forget and put them on the top shelf. You just had to let them thaw out before you could use them again.

 

[WalkingOnSunshine]

So if an egg does freeze does that ruin it? Can it be thawed and eaten? Never thought about till today after I got home late and brought 10 eggs in that we're probably frozen.

You can eat them, but the texture may be off. The yolks get "bouncy" and you can't whisk them smooth sometimes. Whites will be fine.

Just a tip--if you are ever freezing eggs intentionally for storage, you have to separate them. You can freeze leftover whites just as they are. To freeze leftover yolks, add a pinch of salt or sugar to each yolk and whisk it in before you freeze it. You just have to know in advance whether you're going to use the yolks for a sweet or savory dish.

 

[Keggen]

I've had a couple frozen eggs this year so when it happens I cook them up for the chickens. I might have tried them for us but when the shell cracks I don't think it is safe anymore. I just make sure to cook the eggs real well so they are unrecognizable to the chickens....I don't want them breaking eggs to get yolks!