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

[bobbi-j]

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

Unless you add vinegar to the water. Then even newer eggs will peel nicely. Another method is to take them from the hot water and immediately put them into ice water.

 

[kiwi-chick]

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 do this too... but I have noticed in my long life that there are people that cannot (for whatever reason) do this.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I do this too... but I have noticed in my long life that there are people that cannot (for whatever reason) do this.

I always advise this but I admit I don't do it myself. I just crack eggs very carefully and peek inside before adding them to a batter, frying pan, etc.

 

[kiwi-chick]

I don't do it so much anymore as I date my eggs with a pencil and don't have any other eggs than those from my girls.
I only have 3 hens - 2 of which are brooding at the moment (New Zealand summer here) so 1 egg per day is still more than enough for us.

 

[aart]

I always advise this but I admit I don't do it myself. I just crack eggs very carefully and peek inside before adding them to a batter, frying pan, etc.

I usually just break a couple into a ramekin to scramble,
so have gotten into the habit to do so for other uses(which admittedly is rare).

 

[cassie]

I have never done anything to the eggs. Nothing is necessary. It might be a good idea to put a date on the eggs so you don't try boiling really fresh ones. Those are hard to peel. My aunt used to break all eggs, including the ones she got from the store, into a cup or other small container before adding them to whatever she was cooking. That way if there was anything about the egg she considered to be substandard she could dispose of it.

 

[ValerieJ]

I usually just break a couple into a ramekin to scramble,
so have gotten into the habit to do so for other uses(which admittedly is rare).

I put them directly in the pan for scrambling. Haven't had a mishap with that yet. But, Christmas cookies were a whole 'nuther story!!! No way I'm going to waste a whole batch of cookie dough with a bad egg.

 

[HeatherKellyB]

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.

I was just reading about this and whatever I was reading said that washing an egg actually forces bacteria into the porous shell. I have a specifically designated kitchen cloth that I will dampen very lightly and just buff off any feces that might be on the egg, although it's rare. I am so happy that I read your reply @aart . Thank you for sharing your knowledge on this. You explained it very clearly and now I understand a way to wash them safely.
I have 6 pullets that are laying now and I check for/collect eggs 2 to 3 times a day, just because I don't like to leave eggs in the nest for long. I like to pencil the number of the day on each egg. So for New Year's Eve, the eggs were numbered 365. New Year's Day eggs were number 1, etc, etc. I started out writing the month and date, (01/03) but then realized that it'd be easier to write it the other way, plus it won't be easy to mix up dates.

 

[aart]

but then realized that it'd be easier to write it the other way, plus it won't be easy to mix up dates.

That makes a LOT of sense!!
Many things that are date coded use the Julian system.

 

[West Bend]

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

Hi, for hard cooked eggs I steam my fresh eggs for 20-22min. They peel easily even straight from the nest.
I keep my unwashed eggs on the counter & wash them prior to use. I also crack them individually into a sm bowl prior to mixing into a recipe (my Nana did this). Never had a bad egg so 1 time I cracked them all together & sure enough.......bad egg (store bought back then) & out they went, never to be cracked together again.