Storing Fertilized Eggs?

[DougDove]

If and when my hens start laying how do I store fertilized eggs? Do I have to put them in the Frig or sit them out on the counter?

 

[msiler]

If and when my hens start laying how do I store fertilized eggs? Do I have to put them in the Frig or sit them out on the counter?

Following this for my own benefit!

What I do, which I'm sure could be improved, is keep them in egg cartons on my kitchen counter. The house runs at about 70 degrees in the day and 68 degrees at night. I store them with the fat end up to lock the air cell in place. Last, because I have bantam eggs, I turn them different directions every day.

 

[imnukensc]

Storing them for what? If for eating, all of my eggs go in cartons in the fridge.

 

[DougDove]

Store eggs to eat.

 

[Duckfarmer1]

I’ve heard you can keep them on the counter for up to three months? I keep them in fridge but sometimes they’ll sit on the counter for a day before I get them in. I have also been told to not wash them until you go to use them because it keeps the nutrients in. I have no idea if that’s true, but it’s what I’ve been doing. PS. Eggs never last three months because you give them away, etc.

 

[cmom]

I sell my eggs for eating. Our state does have regulations when selling eggs to the public. The cooler has to be no higher in temp than 45ºF. Most people who sell eggs do keep them in some sort of cooler. The only time someone who sells eggs will get inspected is if a complaint is filed.

 

[FortCluck]

You can do either. I put mine in the fridge and sometimes I leave them out on the counter. If you're storing them to hatch keep them at room temp, pointed side down and turn them once a day until you put them in the incubator.

 

[FortCluck]

I’ve heard you can keep them on the counter for up to three months? I keep them in fridge but sometimes they’ll sit on the counter for a day before I get them in. I have also been told to not wash them until you go to use them because it keeps the nutrients in. I have no idea if that’s true, but it’s what I’ve been doing. PS. Eggs never last three months because you give them away, etc.

They last only a month on the counter from my experience. They last in the fridge for a really long time up to 2 months, maybe 3.

 

[cmom]

I’ve heard you can keep them on the counter for up to three months? I keep them in fridge but sometimes they’ll sit on the counter for a day before I get them in. I have also been told to not wash them until you go to use them because it keeps the nutrients in. I have no idea if that’s true, but it’s what I’ve been doing. PS. Eggs never last three months because you give them away, etc.

The reason not to wash the egg is so you don't wash off the bloom which is a natural coating the females coat the eggs with to keep bacteria out. When the eggs are layed, they are wet with the bloom but dry quite quickly. That is why they can be left out on a counter un-refrigerated for awhile. I think it is a good practice to keep the eggs refrigerated.

 

[cmom]

You can do either. I put mine in the fridge and sometimes I leave them out on the counter. If you're storing them to hatch keep them at room temp, pointed side down and turn them once a day until you put them in the incubator.

The longer they sit out before going into the incubator the less viable they become. Most do not leave hatching eggs out for more then 10 days. A broody will lay eggs in a nest for a few days before she will seriously sit on them. The heat from her body triggers the development of the embryos so all of the chicks will hatch almost at the same time.