To wash or not to wash eggs?

[SueT]

We rarely get an egg with poop on it, but if so, I cook it for the hens. I don't wash the eggs we eat, but I am careful how I crack them. Following Jacque Pepin's advice, I don't crack them on the edge of a bowl or pan, but on a flat surface. This way the outside of the egg doesn't get forced inside. I wash my hands after handling every egg just like I wash them after handling the chickens or their feeders and waterers.

 

[chick filet 49]

I have seen a lot of posts about not washing eggs before you store them. I was wondering why this is?

Some also say to keep eggs are room temperature, while others say to refrigerate. How long will eggs last at room temp. vs. in fridge?

A few times I have left my eggs in the coop for 24hours+ during a heat wave - does the affect the edibility of the eggs?

 

[Raeja]

I also don't wash my eggs because they will stay fresher longer. I notice as I get older (almost 62) I don't use as many eggs and it is nice to be able to no waste eggs because they were washed or OMG store bought. I only have 2 chickens left (Flash, an easter egger, and Zombie Chick, an Austolorpe). Seems to be enough for Rooster (yes he has red hair and crows like a rooster when he's 3 sheets to the wind *LOL*) and myself