How long are eggs safe if sitting out?

[tabetha]

We didn't think we were getting eggs, you know, since it's been cold and all... Well, we were wrong, the chickens and duck just got smart and were hiding them... Apparently, one of our other girls started laying (we only had 1 laying chicken and 1 laying duck) and we found 15 eggs!!!!!! We think they have been out there between a day and a week.... I'm thinking that a week is too long and we should just throw the batch out, what do you think?

 

[Mahonri]

There is the float test... if they sink they are fine, if they float, chuck them.

But if it were me, they'd get thrown out.

 

[deerman]

Float test, eggs that float are over 4 weeks old. Watch the ones that sink to the bottom, fresh one will lay flat,week old ones will lay with large end up just off bottom, those that stand on the small end on the bottom, are stale and about 3 weeks old

 

[Princess Poppycock]

I agree with the float test, but the eggs at the grocery store are usually a month plus, and people eat them. I'm betting they'll be fine.

 

[ryanhodapp]

if you feel better pitching them, stop, scramble them up and your hens will love them.

 

[tabetha]

Thank you all so much! We did the float test and only 1 stood on one end, and it was the duck egg, so we couldn't tell which end was thick or not, so we just threw it away. We're so happy, p til now, we only get 1 or 2 eggs every few days, looks like my younger ones are laying now too!

 

[Yay Chicks!]

I'm glad you saved so many of the eggs

That's a lot of bird labor to toss!

 

[WoodlandWoman]

Store eggs are usually older than people think.

Clean, unwashed eggs with the bloom on can be good up to 6 months in the refrigerator. In other parts of the world, they don't even refrigerate eggs, people have them sitting on the counter. I think for at least a month, is what I've heard and read.

I would mainly worry if the weather was hot and/or the eggs were fertile. Unfertilized eggs in a cool coop for a couple of days is not a big deal to me.

 

[texasgal]

Quote:
... and refrigerated ...