Fresh egg storing and handling

[jed moorhouse]

After waiting and waiting, we discovered that one of our girls laid the first egg this morning!!! So excited to finally see fresh eggs!!!!!! Now we need information on properly storing our eggs. Better to put in the refrigerator for longer storage or leave out on the counter in an egg basket?? We will more than liky eat them rather quickly but we do want some eggs stored back to cover those times of the year when egg production slows down. What are some good ideas for safe storage, both long term and short term???

 

[Allanita]

I have the same question. Also being in Texas how long can the egg stay outside in the 100+ heat? I've had my first 2 eggs now. Am I supposed to leave one in the nest to encourage more laying? I have 6 Red Pullets about 5 months old. Thanks for any advise I can get.

 

[dawnpel]

I have the same question. Also being in Texas how long can the egg stay outside in the 100+ heat? I've had my first 2 eggs now. Am I supposed to leave one in the nest to encourage more laying? I have 6 Red Pullets about 5 months old. Thanks for any advise I can get.

I am also new to this and would love to know the answer....LOL I do know that I leave a plastic Easter egg in each nest box to encourage them to lay in them. So far so good. 3 of mine have been laying for a couple weeks...wait for the other 3 to join in!! They are all the same age so I don't know what the hold up is....

 

[ChirpyChicks1]

Now I have to check this and will edit after some research but I read that the eggs will have a special coating on the outside that helps preserve them (I read up to 4 months) but once we wash them that coating is gone and they must be refrigerated.

Edit: Here is what I've found. Looks like you can leave them out of the fridge IF and only if you do not wash them. But I think the 4 months I thought it a bit too long. But like everything with chickens so much of it is just personal choice and what you are willing to put to chance.

Here are a few posts from BYC about this topic.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/728588/storing-eggs/10

Here is a blog post
http://livinghomegrown.com/2013/01/day-13-must-fresh-eggs-be-refrigerated.html

From Mother Earth News
http://www.motherearthnews.com/real-food/fresh-eggs.aspx#axzz2aXLNIYfx

 

[dawnpel]

Now I have to check this and will edit after some research but I read that the eggs will have a special coating on the outside that helps preserve them (I read up to 4 months) but once we wash them that coating is gone and they must be refrigerated.

Edit: Here is what I've found. Looks like you can leave them out of the fridge IF and only if you do not wash them. But I think the 4 months I thought it a bit too long. But like everything with chickens so much of it is just personal choice and what you are willing to put to chance.

Here are a few posts from BYC about this topic.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/728588/storing-eggs/10

Here is a blog post
http://livinghomegrown.com/2013/01/day-13-must-fresh-eggs-be-refrigerated.html

From Mother Earth News
http://www.motherearthnews.com/real-food/fresh-eggs.aspx#axzz2aXLNIYfx

This was wonderful information...thank you!!!

 

[SamF]

Excellent! I was wondering the same thing. One of our girls laid her first egg last week as well! Thanks for the research.

 

[ChirpyChicks1]

Excellent! I was wondering the same thing. One of our girls laid her first egg last week as well! Thanks for the research.

You're welcome! Enjoy those eggs