Wash or no? Need a tie breaker.

[Trish of the Coop]

Here in Ontario it is now the muddy season. Regardless of how much straw or covering I give my girls I get the occasional egg that is covered in mud. I have read several articles that say do not wash or rinse the eggs that it removes the natural barrier and the eggs can then get bacteria and make you very sick, I have read equally as many that say to wash.
I am nervous enough about getting sick from the eggs. ( fairly weak stomach in general with foods) Any insight or experience you guys have would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Khaki mama]

Its okay to wash eggs as long as you arent incubating and you put them in the refrigerator right after. The only thing with washing eggs are they are only good for a month after washing

 

[Painted Calls]

I'm one of those dirty egg people. My eggs stay in my fridge however dirty they may be until I'm ready to use them. Then I wash what I use.

 

[Wezdin]

Here in Ontario it is now the muddy season. Regardless of how much straw or covering I give my girls I get the occasional egg that is covered in mud. I have read several articles that say do not wash or rinse the eggs that it removes the natural barrier and the eggs can then get bacteria and make you very sick, I have read equally as many that say to wash.
I am nervous enough about getting sick from the eggs. ( fairly weak stomach in general with foods) Any insight or experience you guys have would be greatly appreciated.

You wont get sick from eating an unwashed egg unless it is broken. the main reason i don't wash is because i dint have room in the fridge.

 

[rascal66]

Its fine to wash eggs, just refrigerate them after!

For incubating, there are debates on whether to wash or not. I do both with successful outcomes. if you don't like dirty eggs for eating, washing them shouldn't hurt.

 

[Folly's place]

Washing eggs and then refrigerating them has been my plan forever. I wash them in warm running water, drip dry, and refrigerate every day.
Eggs for hatching need to be reasonably clean (really clean if in an incubator) and not washed or refrigerated.
The old saying is 'one day on the counter is like one week in the refrigerator' and I believe it.
Mary

 

[Trish of the Coop]

Thank you everyone!!!. I Will be washing and putting them in the fridge from now on if they are dirty. The clean ones can stay on the counter. Greatly appreciate the advice.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Good decision.

An egg goes bad because bacteria enter inside through the porous egg shell and multiply. The warmer the egg the faster it multiplies.

The last thing a hen puts on her egg when she lays it is a layer we call "bloom". That's why an egg looks wet just as it's laid but it quickly dries. That bloom is a really good barrier to stop bacteria getting inside. A hen is able to lay eggs in a clutch for two weeks and then incubate those eggs another three weeks without them going bad. Ducks, turkeys, and other poultry can go even longer. Bloom really is effective.

But if that bloom is compromised bacteria can enter through the porous shell. If you wash the egg, sandpaper it to remove dirt, or just rub it hard with your thumb you can remove bloom. If the egg gets dirty, especially as the bloom is drying, its protection is compromised.

Bacteria still has to be present before it can enter the inside of the egg. It's a good idea to have fairly clean hands when handling eggs. Oily or wet hands are not good. If dirt or poop is on the eggs that can hold bacteria.

The temperature inside a refrigerator stop bacteria from growing and multiplying. That's why you store perishable food in refrigerators.

I keep my clean eggs on the counter. These are the ones I give to other people. I wash the dirty eggs and keep them in the fridge. Those are the ones I eat.

 

[GC-Raptor]

I wash all my eggs in warm water, (about 105 degrees Fahrenheit), in the evening and air dry overnight.
I inspect eggs in the morning and put in cartons and refrigerate.
Cartons are dated when full and rotated in fridge to eat or sell older eggs first. . GC