Keeping chickens can be an enjoyable hobby and reaping the benefits of freshly laid chicken eggs is simply a bonus when you have the opportunity to be around these incredible social animals. Farm fresh or backyard chicken eggs are noticeably better to eggs available at the local market but may or may not require some extra steps to keep them clean.
Cleaning Freshly Laid Eggs
There is much debate on whether or not to clean freshly laid eggs. If it is for personal consumption and you don’t mind a little bit of dirt there is no need to immediately clean freshly laid eggs.
However, if you intend on selling or giving your eggs away to friends or family I would venture to guess they would unanimously opt for the freshly laid “clean egg”.
The best ways to get cleaner eggs is with a well maintained coop. Providing fresh bedding, straw or using plain construction sand will help with production of cleaner eggs. (do not use any playsand or other variations as they may contain particles that can harm your flock)
Chickens will be chickens and there is really no telling they will decide to lay, so eventually even the most prepared chicken keeper will run about a mucky egg or two. If this is the case a quick wipe down with a dry rag may be all that is necessary to do the trick if not a quick rinse under warm water typically will do the trick.
Washing the eggs with water does remove the eggs natural protection barrier (the bloom is the eggs natural protection from bacteria) and should be consumed or placed in the fridge for longer storage.
How Should I Store My Chicken Eggs?
Eggs that have not been cleaned with water can be stored at room temperature or placed immediately into the refrigerator.
Freshly laid chicken eggs that have not been washed with water can stay fresh at room temperature for several months, however we have noticed after about 40 days or so the “extra-freshness” begins to diminish. However typically with any fresh farm eggs they don’t last very long once friends and family try one.
Eggs can be stored in dishes, wire bowls, racks or the traditional egg carton.
Chicken Egg Fact: Most eggs typically bought from the market are at least 30 days old before they even make it to the shelves.
Freshly laid chicken eggs are perfectly fine at room temperature, however they will last a bit longer if refrigerated.
Storing Fresh Chicken Eggs in the Refrigerator
Sealed or Unsealed Eggs in the Refrigerator
To extend the chicken eggs shelf life it’s best to store them in the fridge. This can be done with egg cartons and/or sealed egg storage containers. Refrigerated eggs stored in sealed containers can often stay fresh for up to 6 months!
Long Term Storage for Chicken Eggs
Want to freeze your chicken eggs to make them last longer?
Freezing chicken eggs for longer storage can be an option however the yolk and the egg white will need to be separated before placing in the freezer. This can be done quickly with a 20oz plastic bottle.
Crack the eggs to be stored into a bowl, and squeeze the empty bottle while holding the mouthpiece over the egg yolk, releasing the squeezed bottle while in contact with the yolk should suck the yolk into the bottle relatively easily. This may take a little practice.
Tip: Frozen eggs do not taste nearly as good and should be done only if necessary.
How to Tell If a Chicken Egg Has Gone Bad
It’s inevitable and if you keep chickens you will eventually run across the foul egg. The most common reason is chickens do not always like to lay their eggs in the designated areas you provide for your flock or you may find a “hidden stash” and cannot determine the age of the egg.
Luckily there is a simple trick to determine if an egg has gone bad or not. It’s called the float test and it is as simple as it sounds. Place the egg in some water if they float, discard the eggs, they have gone bad any remaining eggs that have sunk to the bottom are safe to eat.
In addition to float testing your eggs to determine if they have gone bad you can also give the egg a shake close to your ear. If you can hear the egg sloshing around inside of the shell the egg has gone bad and should be discarded.