Washing/Using Eggs?

[katethegreat]

Home from a vacation and have been anxiously awaiting eggs from my five hens. Looking daily in the coop and the yard but found ten eggs in my compost bin yesterday! Very excited, just in time considering egg recalls. But now what? Here are my questions:

1. When I collect the eggs what do I do with them? Put them in a carton in the fridge immediately?

2. Do I need to wash them? When? With what?

3. Can I eat these first few eggs?

4. The shells are hard as rocks, is that normal?

Thanks for the help BYC experts!

 

[carrlr]

1. We put ours in the fridge, but you don't have to if used within a few days if they're on your counter or table inside. I've used eggs that were in the nest box for a while when we were on vacation and they were'nt collected daily.

2. We don't wash them, until right before using them. They last longer because of the natural protective coating.

3. Yes, they might be smaller, but just as yummy.

4. Our shells are definately harder than store bought. Shouldn't be unable to crack though. Do you supplement heavily with oyster shells?

 

[katethegreat]

no, i haven't started with oyster shells yet. do you just rinse them in water to wash?

 

[bigspringshatchery]

Quote:
If mine get really dirty I wipe them off before using them. Just get a wet paper towel and wipe the egg. If they are dried poop or anything on them it should come right off easy

 

[schoman]

Hi there-

I had some of the same questions myself. Last night I cooked and ate my first three eggs from Dusty, my beautiful young Americauna hen. I was surprised at how small the eggs were, but after searching this great forum it seems to be completely normal for the first eggs to be smaller. In fact, every egg after her first one was just a little bit bigger. I kept them on my counter (out of the sun) for a few days and they were absolutely delicious! The yolks were amazingly orange/yellow and so strong. They held together perfectly. I could have probably thrown the yolk against the wall and it wouldn't have broken!

 

[newchicksnducks]

Quote:
I'm not an "expert", but this is what I do...

1.) I collect my eggs daily (usually around 6pm) and put in a basket on the kitchen counter

2.) They remain unwashed untill I put them in egg cartons and in the refrigerator (every 2-3 days). I wash with warm water and use a paper towel to remove any mud, etc Any egg that has been washed (and therefore had the "bloom" removed) needs to be put in the refrigerator.

3.) Enjoy those first eggs!

4.) The shells are hard because they're a) fresh b)have plenty of calcium in them! This is just one more diffference between store bought eggs and home grown ones!!