Now that they are laying how do I eat the eggs?

[PerlyBee]

Ok Thank you ValerieJ

 

[IamRainey]

This is my first time raising chickens so I think I’m just a bit nervous that I’m not doing it right. I know it seems silly but I’ve always admired farming but I never thought I was qualified to do it. Until one day I decided to try. So as a 100 % beginner I just want to make sure I’m doing it right. I also battled a terrible condition in which nausea and vomiting were a daily part of my life and my stomach is still sensitive and my body is weakened. Which led me to believe I could raise my own food and perhaps help my body back to health and healing. So to be honest the thought of throwing up or being ill is now something that causes me anxiety because it brings me back to a terrible time. It’s not that I think my eggs are inferior I just want to make sure I’m going about it the right way and that I’m practicing the proper steps of collecting and preparing my food. I will be feeding these eggs to my children as well so I want to make sure I’m collecting and preparing the eggs to be eaten in the right way it’s a very rewarding process and I appreciate the insight, support and guidance from people who are more experienced

So sorry about what you've gone through.

The truth of the matter is that I image all of us at the beginning worry that we'll do something awful while, in fact, chicken keeping is pretty easy and basic: make sure their enclosure is secure, provide food & water and bedding, collect eggs, observe for signs of illness. The rest pretty much takes care of itself and there are lots and lots of "right" ways to manage things.

I'm sure your humanely raised eggs will be a good part of nutrition that makes you all strong and healthy. The most important thing you probably want to do -- with a weakened immune system -- is wash your hands after you've handled birds and eggs. I ignore this most deliberately myself but then I got some salmonella right off the bat and got over it and am no longer bothered by touching fresh poo. But if you wash your hands you're going to be fine.

Maybe you'll want to wash and refrigerate your eggs initially but keep in mind that kids who are around animals and exposed to more environmental elements have far less allergy and illness. Let your kids have that wholesome experience and maybe work toward it yourself as you get more confidence. It may take some bravery on your part but it will pay off for your kids not to be apprehensive.

All will be well!

 

[IamRainey]

So we don’t have to wash them even right before we crack them? I have two sitting in my counter that i just collected.

I don't. I wash eggs that have considerable amounts of poo on them. If it's a smear I don't wash them and don't worry about it. The bloom has sealed the egg and I think that includes from any bacteria growing on a trace of poo. After all, I'm only going to eat what's inside the shell.

I keep all my eggs in the fridge. I tell anyone I give eggs to that they're unwashed so they have the opportunity to handle them however they feel best about.

 

[bobbi-j]

i just skimmed answers, so this may have been stated and I missed it. I think you're much bettter off raising your own eggs and produce for healthier eating. Given your history, I'd suggest making sure your eggs are cooked thoroughly to avoid any chance of contracting salmonella. (I eat eggs with runny yolks, snitch raw cookie dough and lick the beater when I bake and have never gotten sick, but I also don't have your health problems.) I applaud you for taking steps to raise healthier foods for yourself. There is a deep satisfaction in going out to the coop and picking eggs, and harvesting your own food from the garden. I love opening the pantry door and having jars of food that I grew and preserved sitting there on the shelves, waiting to be used.

 

[rosemarythyme]

So we don’t have to wash them even right before we crack them? I have two sitting in my counter that i just collected.

Nope, assuming the eggs are fairly clean (and I do get occasional tiny bits of feathers or bedding material sticking to them) I just pull unwashed eggs out of the fridge, crack 'em, use 'em.

I do choose to rinse off eggs for hard boiling, though logically the boiling water will take care of any contaminants, but I just don't like the thought of "stuff" rolling around in the water with the eggs.

 

[bobbi-j]

Nope, assuming the eggs are fairly clean (and I do get occasional tiny bits of feathers or bedding material sticking to them) I just pull unwashed eggs out of the fridge, crack 'em, use 'em.

I do choose to rinse off eggs for hard boiling, though logically the boiling water will take care of any contaminants, but I just don't like the thought of "stuff" rolling around in the water with the eggs.

Agreed.

 

[kiwi-chick]

I understand your trepidation... here are some ideas that might help you with your issues.
1 Eggs are good for approximately 3 months maybe longer depending on how they are stored:
2 if washed in the fridge they go
3 put the egg in a container of water
3a if it sinks it is good to go
3b if it stands up eat it soon
3c if it floats out it goes
4 if it smells off in any way - out it goes
5 if in doubt (in any way shape or form) chuck it out!

 

[aart]

3 put the egg in a container of water
3a if it sinks it is good to go
3b if it stands up eat it soon
3c if it floats out it goes

Floating an egg will only tell you how old it might be.
They float due to evaporation when older.
It will not tell you if an egg is 'good' or 'bad'.
Plus then you've wetted the egg so it should be thoroughly washed and refrigerated.

When in doubt....
Open eggs one at a time in a separate dish before adding to pan or recipe,
use your eyes, nose, and common sense to decide if egg is OK to eat.

I don't wash eggs unless they are very dirty, then will refrigerate or use immediately because thorough washing will remove all the protective bloom(cuticle).

Eggs should be washed in 'water warmer than the egg'.
Simple physics, using colder water will cause the egg contents to contract, causing any 'germs' on exterior surface of egg shell to be pulled into the interior of egg thru the shell pores. Using warmer water will do the opposite.

I don't use any soap or other cleaning/sanitizing agent, just rotate in my hands to 'scrub' all surfaces area of egg shell. Then I air and towel dry before placing in the fridge.

If you are washing eggs for sale to the general public, other requirements may apply, so check your state regulations.

 

[growanstede]

I don't know if anyone mentioned this yet (probably someone did but I have a few seconds left of lunch here at work...) but store them pointy end down! The air sac is in the big end, and if you keep that upright it lets you keep it attached, which lets you keep your eggs longer. This is true for eating or for incubating. Congrats on your first eggs! So exciting!!

 

[Hidrainja4]

If you want a hard boiled egg. Let them sit for a week. Fresh eggs shell won't peal off and everything sticks.