Fresh eggs dont pass the float test

[Kernel Cluck]

Every once in a while we get a “fresh” egg from our flock that wont pass the float test. We started testing because i had one several months ago that was clearly bad when i went to fry it. This only happens periodically. We had three today and the last time was over a m9nth ago. Any ideas what is going on?

 

[oregonkat]

Every once in a while we get a “fresh” egg from our flock that wont pass the float test. We started testing because i had one several months ago that was clearly bad when i went to fry it. This only happens periodically. We had three today and the last time was over a m9nth ago. Any ideas what is going on?

Do your hens lay in nesting boxes only or do they manage to hide some away somewhere? As far as I know, as long as you harvest eggs daily or so, you should not have a problem with freshness. I know this is probably less than helpful but it's all I can come up with.

 

[Kernel Cluck]

We do occasionally find eggs not laid in the boxes. They usually aren’t more than a few days old. I was wondering that perhaps those are getting contaminated somehow. Or maybe it’s because I collect eggs every other day instead of daily.

 

[oregonkat]

If the eggs are fresh, contamination that would cause them to rot would be highly unlikely. They are really well protected by the bloom on the shells courtesy of Mother Nature and a well designed hen! If the eggs are old, all bets are off! Are the rest of your eggs good when you crack them open? No signs of stress on the hens, soft shells, porous weak shells, lots of blood or meat spots near the yolk?

 

[Clark101]

Float Test for Freshness of Eggs is only one of the ways. Though it is not 100% reliable, sometimes there are reasons that even though the egg sinks during the test, it turns out it is still not on its best quality when cooked. Sometimes the changes in temperature, chicken feeds can cause this.

The science behind the egg float test is that as eggs age, the shell ends up being more permeable allowing air to stream through. The more air entering through the shell, the larger the air cell winds up being (the pocket of air in between the membrane and shell in the larger end of the egg). The air sac, when big enough, makes the egg float.

But besides the Float Test, there are other ways that you can test for freshness of eggs: like the egg candling test, egg white examination test, and the smell test.

More details of this on Best Ways to Test Freshness of Eggs...
Have a good day!