Newbie Egg Laying Question

[lunkerchicken]

So I have had my chickens for a couple of months now and I think that I am closing in on some eggs! I have a few newbie questions.
What is the best way to clean the eggs?
What is this candling I keep reading about?
Does it actually help with making sure the egg is good inside?
Any homemade candlers out there?

Any helpful hints that you could provide would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks BYC'ers.....

 

[Judy]

You should not have to candle or clean. Don't let the hens sleep in nest boxes, and collect at least once a day. That's it. The eggs don't need washing, and candling is done as part of incubating, to check progress of development.

Commercial people candle to be sure no egg was left lying around long enough to start developing.

 

[fargosmom]

I only wash our eggs if they're a little, well, poopy. Happens sometimes. But I just give them a quick rinse in cold water (I read somewhere that warm water can facilitate bacteria penetrating the shell).

 

[Stands With A Fiddle]

Another idiotic question from a n00b

So, I know store bought eggs are several months old, usually (or so I've heard). If you go out to the coop and collect an egg the day it was laid, how long until it goes bad?

They don't shoot out the chicken's butt with an expiration date, and I am genuinely CLUELESS on this point

 

[Metanoia]

Keep a clean nest box and your eggs will be clean enough. Wash just before using if you're worried, but since you don't eat the shell I dont' bother cleaning at all.

A fresh egg should last about 3 months, probably more. You'll taste the difference to store bought!

 

[Happy Chooks]

Quote:
Yup.