To float or not to float that is the question

[Elena12]

does anyone know if checking egg freshness wash off protective coding? no scrubbing just dipping

 

[Folly's place]

Welcome!
Yes, it will remove the bloom on the egg. And, that float test will tell you how big the air sack is in the egg, which is related to it's age, but isn't necessarily an indication of spoilage. My plan is 'when in doubt, throw it out', because food poisoning is no fun, and really, eggs are cheap in comparison.
Mary

 

[rosemarythyme]

Yes it washes the bloom off AND doesn't tell you anything you wouldn't already know through other methods. You can either date eggs with a pencil (if you're really nitpicky about using it in a certain time) or just make sure you have some sort of system on your counter/in the fridge so oldest eggs get used up first.

Properly refrigerated eggs are good for months, regardless if they float or not.

 

[Lizzy733]

Best indicator is to smell the shell... if it smells off right next to your nose, chuck it. And if in doubt, crack into a ramekin before going to the skillet. At room temp, it should typically take well over a month for eggs to spoil, even nest-soiled.. in the refrigerator, even longer (though we store at room temp. We tend to see spoilage at the 2-3 month mark.

 

[Banana01]

Best indicator is to smell the shell... if it smells off right next to your nose, chuck it. And if in doubt, crack into a ramekin before going to the skillet. At room temp, it should typically take well over a month for eggs to spoil, even nest-soiled.. in the refrigerator, even longer (though we store at room temp. We tend to see spoilage at the 2-3 month mark.

How long can a hen sit on the egg and have it still be good to eat? I dont store my eggs in the refrigerator, and they last for weeks. But sometimes a hen will sit on them a few days, and they are still ok. But what happens after say a week of sitting on them? Are they still good to eat?

 

[Lizzy733]

How long can a hen sit on the egg and have it still be good to eat? I dont store my eggs in the refrigerator, and they last for weeks. But sometimes a hen will sit on them a few days, and they are still ok. But what happens after say a week of sitting on them? Are they still good to eat?

This might kinda be the same argument as clears removed from the brooder around day 6...

It's been warm, which can promote bacteria growth, but technically the bloom should protect them. The only way for an embryo to make it to hatch is to be free of bacterial infection, Soo...

I would go with the check above unless they are heavily soiled. I've had brittle eggs from old hens crack and soil the other eggs and them still be okay to use for a week or so after, so it really is your own judgement call and consider how you're using the egg. Maybe reserve those that look good when cracked, with no smell for baking or another cooking technique that will heat them sufficiently to sanitize and save your fresh eggs for runny egg dishes.

I've always kept hen-warmed eggs, but I can't say I've left them for more than maybe 3 days.

I've not been brave enough to eat clears, but it does seem like such a waste and I'm only just now doing my first incubator hatch and had to question throwing out what looked like 3 perfectly fine eggs.

 

[Banana01]

This might kinda be the same argument as clears removed from the brooder around day 6...

It's been warm, which can promote bacteria growth, but technically the bloom should protect them. The only way for an embryo to make it to hatch is to be free of bacterial infection, Soo...

I would go with the check above unless they are heavily soiled. I've had brittle eggs from old hens crack and soil the other eggs and them still be okay to use for a week or so after, so it really is your own judgement call and consider how you're using the egg. Maybe reserve those that look good when cracked, with no smell for baking or another cooking technique that will heat them sufficiently to sanitize and save your fresh eggs for runny egg dishes.

I've always kept hen-warmed eggs, but I can't say I've left them for more than maybe 3 days.

I've not been brave enough to eat clears, but it does seem like such a waste and I'm only just now doing my first incubator hatch and had to question throwing out what looked like 3 perfectly fine eggs.

Some of the natives where i live will eat the eggs that didnt hatch after the end of the brood. I could not stomach that. I have gone up to about day three as well for hen warmed eggs, but sometimes i debate removing them if its been longer. Then there are the so called century eggs that are buried in the ground for a long time then eaten in some cultures. I will stick with fresh eggs for now. Thanks for the answer.

 

[Lizzy733]

O

Some of the natives where i live will eat the eggs that didnt hatch after the end of the brood. I could not stomach that. I have gone up to about day three as well for hen warmed eggs, but sometimes i debate removing them if its been longer. Then there are the so called century eggs that are buried in the ground for a long time then eaten in some cultures. I will stick with fresh eggs for now. Thanks for the answer.

H yeah, I've had eggs burried under the poop deck.. I don't even entertain those.. crack them right into the compost

 

[3KillerBs]

But sometimes a hen will sit on them a few days, and they are still ok. But what happens after say a week of sitting on them? Are they still good to eat?

I personally wouldn't want to eat a partially-incubated egg but if it was alive and growing I suppose it would be OK.

H yeah, I've had eggs burried under the poop deck.. I don't even entertain those.. crack them right into the compost

Yeah. When I find a mystery egg buried in bedding I toss it far into the woods.