Hi there, and welcome to BYC! If you are collecting them for eating, you can put them in the frig immediately. Some people feel that eggs can sit out without refriging them for a week, but I go the safe route with eggs and refrig them right away. If you are collecting them for incubation, you do not put them in the frig. They are set on the counter at temps around 50 to 60, give or take degrees, for a few days, turned occasionally, and then set in a prewarmed incubator. Great to have you aboard and enjoy BYC!
Hello and Welcome To BYC! X4, I refrigerate asap because they last longer. Eggs that have ever been cold/ refrigerated should be stored that way. The EU seems to have picked 28 days for unwashed, unrefrigerated eggs. http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2008:163:0006:0023:EN:PDF An old but rather entertaining test that Mother Earth News did on various ways to store eggs and how well they lasted. http://www.motherearthnews.com/real-food/how-to-store-fresh-eggs-zmaz77ndzgoe.aspx
An egg is laid with a protective coating, known as a "bloom", which allows air in but blocks bacteria from getting into the egg. As long as you don't wash the egg, it should be fine on the counter for a couple weeks. If you wash it, the bloom is washed off and it needs to be refrigerated. The egg can last for up to a month in the fridge. We always float the eggs in a glass of water before we eat them to make sure they are still good. If the egg sinks or stands up at the bottom, it's ok. If the egg floats (even the slightest bit) it's spoiled.
As you can see opinions on counter storage vary. I am of the better safe than sorry group. Welcome to BYC.
