Will eggs keep after being refrigerated?

[BuffaloridaGirl]

I think I will be safe on doing this, but wanted a second (and third, fourth etc) opinion!

I am traveling a 45 min ride to Tampa airport and flying home to Buffalo (shocker I know due to my username

) and want to bring my fresh eggs to my grandmothers whom I have named my chickens after... Clara and Dorothy. It's a 2.5 hour plane ride and I'd imagine it will be about a 6 hour time span from fridge to fridge. I called TSA and was told I can carry them on, and even have freezer packs to keep them chilled as long as the freezer packs are still frozen solid at security. But I am wondering if I even need to bother with freezer packs to keep them cold at all? I was thinking if people store them in wire baskets on their counters for a few weeks, 6 hours won't make a difference. Just pack them in cartons and go? ...Thoughts??

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Are they for hatching or eating?
If for eating, you don't need to bother with refrigeration at all if you don't wash the eggs.
If they are washed, they should be refrigerated.
I keep my eggs on the kitchen counter for weeks as do people in countries where it isn't required to wash them.

 

[BuffaloridaGirl]

Eating. And I don't wash them, they are pretty clean since the girls lay them in soft dry sandy soil. I just collect and stick them in the fridge. That is, when our dog doesn't get to them and eat them first!! His new habit... I wondered why his fur has been shinier!!

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Most countries in the world keep eating eggs on the store shelves along with packaged goods, not refrigerated.
If you travel in the tropics where grocery stores are sometimes about 90F inside, they still don't refrigerate.

ETA
I'm sure your grandmother will be very appreciative of your eggs and be happy for your self sufficiency.

 

[junebuggena]

If they've been refrigerated, they must be kept refrigerated. Letting cold eggs sit at room temp can cause condensation, which will compromise the natural bloom.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Good point about condensation but if they are warmed slowly, they should be fine.

 

[Ridgerunner]

I agree with both of them. If they have never been refrigerated, no need to chill as long as they are pretty clean and you have not washed them or sandpapered the bloom off. If you have removed the bloom or ever refrigerated them, they need to be refrigerated.

You specifically asked about refrigerated eggs so yes, they need to be kept cooled. Why take a chance?

 

[BuffaloridaGirl]

Thank you everyone... I will keep a separate basket from now until I leave and keep at room temp, hopefully I will have enough