what is "washing the bloom"

[jennmugg]

Is that just rinsing off the egg after it's gathered? I'm wondering if it's appropriate to gather the eggs and place them directly into the carton until they are sold or eaten.

 

[Tuffoldhen]

When a hen lays the egg, the "bloom" is the wet coating that's on the egg when it comes out, it then drys quickly. This is what protects the egg from bacteria getting into the shell.

I never wash my eggs unless they are extremely dirty. I sell them with the bloom on. I also never wash eggs I want to hatch out.

 

[jennmugg]

Thanks! I swear I'll be learning something new about chickens every day for a while.

 

[The Poultry Peanut]

We all learn something new everyday.

 

[Biddieacres]