storing eggs - i'm a newbie

[kiloecho]

i'm new at this, and i have a few months before mine start laying but i'm curious about egg collecting and storage.

what do you do after collecting eggs? just put them directly into a carton and into the fridge? brushing off dirt, etc. is enough before they go in? does one ever wash them?

curious about what different people do. i guess i'm mostly concerned about cleanliness/sanitation

any other advice?

thanks! ~kate

 

[Judy]

Yes, I put them straight in the fridge, in a carton. They aren't poopy because the hens sleep on their roost. Eggs have a natural coating and I leave it alone.

Some on here feel they must wash the eggs, regardless. If you do, be sure the wash water is warmer than the egg. The eggshell is porous, and bacteria tend to migrate toward the warmer place.

Usually, I suspect, people wash eggs because they are poopy. Just insist the hens sleep on roosts instead of in the nests, and you will not have to deal with this.

 

[danielbrown]

I store them unwashed in flats on the counter.

 

[Mahonri]

I wash and put them in the fridge.

Next January, when I want to incubate some, I'll store in cartons and tilt them each day in a room at room temp 'til I put them in the bator

 

[Equus5O]

Which end goes up?

 

[NotTheMomma]

I was reading on a USDA website that eggs that have NOT been washed can be stored for up to SIX MONTHS if they have NOT been washed! Washing them removes the natural 'bloom' coating that protects the eggs from bacteria, and dehydration. Once washed, they must be put in the refrigerator and I think it said stored for up to 3 months.

Now mine aren't laying, so I haven't tried this out yet, but I do intend to see if it's true. My grandmother always left them stored on her back porch. No refrigeration, and she didn't wash them until she was getting ready to use them.

I intend to wash mine when I get ready to use them as well.

If you are wanting to sell them, some people are grossed out if they haven't been washed or have a bit of pooh on them. You can either inform them to wash before using, or wash them before selling, and inform your buyers they have been washed.

 

[DDRanch]

I collect daily and put right into the fridge in egg cartons. I will gently wash eggs that are poopy with a damp paper towel as I sell eggs but generally do not need to clean them up. The more times a day you collect, the cleaner they will be of course.

I have heard that placing eggs pointy side down will position the yolk in the center of the egg for hard boiled eggs, but I really don't know if that is true or not. Personally, I don't think it matters, but others may weigh in on this.

For really dirty eggs, I put them in a separate carton and the dogs get them. Several of my old girls are still laying, their shells are quite soft and often will get broken in the nest with other eggs. Dried egg on shell is very hard to clean up so its just easier to store these separate.

 

[Ridgerunner]

I found this article on storing eggs very interesting. It really does not address the washing adequately but is very interesting otherwise.

http://www.motherearthnews.com/Sust...ggs-a-Year-or-More-Without-Refrigeration.aspx

Commercial operations wash their eggs and refrigerate them as soon as possible. The eggs you buy at the store are probably washed. Unwashed eggs will store longer because of the bloom.

Pay attention to ddawn. She gives good advise. A minimum difference in egg and wash water of 10 degrees is recommended.

Any other advice. Gather them at least once a day. Some people do it more often for good reasons, but they will be fine if collected once a day. Leaving eggs in the nests over night attracts things you do not want to attract.

 

[Happy Chooks]

I've only received 3 eggs so far (my 4th will be coming any time now), but I do not wash them. I put them in the fridge and I will wash them before I use them.

And I have to say, I was very surprised to see how clean the eggs are given where they come out.

 

[pekkahead]

I see alot of people only wash before using them.
Why? Do you eat the shells? Not trying to be funny here. We just collect at 11 and 3 and store in cartons in fridge. No washing.
In the rare case we get a poopy egg, it gets wiped off with a damp sponge and stored as usual.