How long do eggs last?

[dwegg]

Now that I am collecting eggs I 'spose that I better start using them. I was wondering how long fresh eggs last? and should I put them in the fridge or leave them out? When I give them to my friends they always ask me these two questions and I just don't know...

 

[AZKat]

Mother Earth News did a experiment where they tested various means of preserving eggs. The whole article is worth reading, and can be found here http://www.motherearthnews.com/Sustainable-Farming/1977-11-01/Fresh-Eggs.aspx . For your questions, the relevant bit is that unwashed eggs are fine just left on the counter for a couple of weeks, after that they start to go down hill in terms of taste and texture. If you refrigerate unwashed eggs in an airtight container, they will still be good, and taste more-or-less 'fresh' after seven months.