Is there a spot for egg care and handling???

[Happy Dawg]

I love how much I have learned about the care and raising of chicks, but I want to learn more about what to do and what not to do with the eggs when the time comes.
What do you do about the poop on the eggs? Is it really bad to wash it off? How long dose the egg stay fresh? If an egg has been laid in the a.m. while im at work will it still be okay at the end of the day???
Sorry if this is the wrong spot to post this, But where can I learn more about the EGG

Cheers,
Connie

 

[poppycat]

What do you do about the poop on the eggs?
I wash it off. Some people say wipe it off with a dry rag or sponge. But I just wash it off in the sink under warm water and I'm still alive to tell about it.

Is it really bad to wash it off?
It depends on who you ask. I heard about bacteria seeping through the pores of the egg, but I still wash mine if they're dirty. I'm sure someone else may tell you somthing different.

How long dose the egg stay fresh?
At least a month if refridgerated. Probably even longer.

If an egg has been laid in the a.m. while im at work will it still be okay at the end of the day???
Absolutely.

I'm far from an expert and I don't sell eggs. Hopefully someone else will chime in with better info!

 

[kstaven]

if you are planning on hatching those eggs, do not wash them. It is OK to wash eggs you are going to be eating them, but it means they will not stay fresh as long sitting on a counter. The protective bloom on them is removed and they are much more permeable. If washed it is really best to refridgerate if your not eating them in a few days.

I have never heard of anyone getting sick from washing eggs. I know it is possible to push bacteria into the egg in the washing process.

Not washed they are good for a month or more unrefridgerated. Washed they are good for at least a month in the fridge.

Eggs laid in the morning are fine even the next morning in a hot coop.

 

[dlhunicorn]

here are some of my collected articles :
http://dlhunicorn.conforums.com/index.cgi?board=egg&action=display&num=1158489841

 

[fowlweatherfriends]

Hi, Washing for eating should be done at a slightly warmer temp than the egg. If you wash in cooler water the egg will contract and possibly pull bacteria into the egg through the pores.

For incubating, I just took a firm toothbrush and brushed the eggs best I could.

 

[Happy Dawg]

Thanks for the info

I dont plan on hatching just eating

Im glad to hear its okay to wash them, I will be keeping them in the frig.
Thanks again

 

[ccchicken]

Happy Dawg- thanks for asking those questions - I have been wondering about that too!

 

[Barnyard Dawg]

We don’t wash the protective layer off the eggs we collect everyday nor do we refrigerate them. They can last for months out of the refrigerator if kept in a cool area and turned occasionally, keep out of direct sunlight. In the U.S. eggs are refrigerated but in other parts of the world they are not. They will keep fresh out of the refrigerator if never placed in cold. Once they are refrigerated, they must always be refrigerated to maintain freshness. I have been told that if you refrigerate your eggs they should be kept in the egg carton and not the refrigerator plastic egg holder. Since the protective layer has been washed off the eggs they can absorb bacteria and odors from your fridge?

 

[Barnyard Dawg]

We hardly never need to clean an egg, make sure you keep the laying boxes clean which in our case hardly never need cleaning. When cleaning we will just wipe the area soiled using warm water and a paper towel.