How often do I need to be collecting newly layed eggs

[coolchange]

I am new to raising chickens so please forgive my ignorance. Finally Saturday we had 2 fresh eggs!! My question is how long can the eggs sit in the coop before they go bad? I check at least twice a day and just wondering if that is often enough. Also how soon after an egg has been layed can it be eaten? Thanks in advance for any suggestions, I really appreciate it!!

 

[BeckyLa]

You can eat that egg as soon as it's laid! That's when they are the absolute freshest. I collect 2-3 times a day because my silly hens keep piling them up in the same nest and I'm afraid some will get broke and the hens will develop a taste for fresh egg! Sometimes I get 10 eggs from one nest if I don't make it out there till mid afternoon. On the other hand, I've seen hens collect eggs for up to two weeks then set and have them all hatch which shows that they were still good after 2 weeks. From what I understand, Europeans don't refrigerate their eggs but put them in a basket on the kitchen counter, maybe for a month or more, until they're all used. So, I'd say collect them as often as you want. The sooner they're collected the less likely they will get poop or dirt tracked on them by the other hens. Now if you live in a place where it's veeeery cold, you'll want to get them before they freeze and crack because then they'll get bacteria in them.

 

[CarriBrown]

Hi Cool Change!
Congrats on the eggs and welcome to the forum. You don't know what you're in for... once you see how fun chickens are, you'll become crazy like the rest of us!

I'm not saying it's bad... I'm just sayin'.
We're a friendly group here. Don't worry about asking any questions!

 

[shadi]

There is no such thing as a stupid question except the ones unasked. I collect mine every evening and feed and water then too. Now silly is I think feeding them at around 4 helps them sleep better-lol

 

[justusnak]

Shadi.....I too feed mine in the late afternoon. It brings them all inside, so I can shut them in from predators. They know...4 pm means food! Love the way they trained me! I do go out in the morning tho, and collect eggs, and check water, and let them out in the yard. I guess any time is ok, just what matches your schedule?