Michigan

[keyt1969]

 

[1muttsfan]

Sometimes I get eggs that are just plain a mess, muddy or poopy or with dried yolk smear from the occasional broken egg. I wipe them off with a slightly damp paper towel. If they are really bad I wash them and use them myself, as I do not have food-grade mineral oil to coat them with after and I don't want to sell an egg that may go bad. Am I being overcautious? Generally I do not wash any visibly clean egg to avoid removing the bloom.

Chickmate your daughter is a peach

 

[babigyrl22]

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I havent been washing our eggs but I did have one that had poo on it. I threw that one away.

if I felt I could clean it I would but ack!

 

[babigyrl22]

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Got it. I figured we could still eat them. I just wasnt sure if there was a special way to cook it to make them more appetizing.

 

[chikkaboomboom]

OK what are the signs your girls are going to start laying? Puffy vent area ,check, really really red ear lobes and combs on some of them, check,
We put in a really big window in the coop today, and he even double hardware clothed it and I watched him hand sew the hardware cloth so it would be really strong, cause of those coons he kept saying..lol.
Anyways I worried the whole time that he was upsetting my girls because I think they are getting ready to lay....
Any answers would be greatly appreciated.. ty

 

[Opa]

Sounds like you've got all the indicators figured out and any additional security measures are always time well spent. Working around your pullets isn't going to affect their laying. Usually the only things that will delay or cause them to cease laying is moving them to new quarters or a traumatic event such as a coon getting in the coop and killing several.

 

[keyt1969]

 

[Opa]

Using a rollout nestbox helps keep eggs cleaner. The fact that Scotch-brite pad does an excellent job is why I suggested it. Additionally I have a egg fact sign that states that they have not been washed. Eggs will keep for weeks unrefrigerated as long as they haven't been washed. Historically many methods have be used to preserve eggs. One method was to put them in a metal can and then pour lard over them. It helped to cushion them on cross country trips as well as keeping them from spoiling.

Another method was basically the same only beeswax was used instead. I have read where eggs covered with wax have still be useable after several YEARS.

Another demonstration of how vital the bloom is to an egg would be the difference between a washed and an unwashed egg when you smoke them. Eggs can be cooked in a hot smoker and the smoke flavor will penetrate the shell of a washed egg. With a unwashed egg it won't. Later this month when I smoke chickens I will be smoking some eggs. If David and I don't eat them all I will try to bring some to Chickenstock.

 

[chikkaboomboom]

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Thank you Opa, most of the ladies really liked him being in there till he started the saw, I just can't wait for our first eggs.

 

[Chickmate]

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Yeah, I know exactly what you mean. I guess that means we did it right, Opa.