Harvesting Eggs - Handling and Storage

So your chickens are now 6 months of age. You are getting your first set of eggs. What do you do with them?

There are several different ways to handle eggs and store them.

First, washing eggs. Do you or don't you?

I recommend washing eggs just prior to selling or using. Other than that, just leave them be! Eggs have a protective coating on them, the bloom, to help keep them good. Washing removes this protective layer and thus shortens their shelf life.

To wash them, simply rinse with luke warm water. Too cold will shock the eggs and cause the shells to suck in bacteria into the egg and too warm will cook the eggs. You can also purchase egg washing wipes and solution from your local feed stores, although those can get expensive depending on how many eggs you have. You can also use and abrasive material such as sandpaper to remove the debris, but I have broken too many shells with this.

How do you store them?

When storing eggs, it is best to store them with the pointy end down. You can do this in egg cartons or egg flats. Also to save space, you can store them in a basket.

Now, eggs can be kept on the counter or in the fridge. If you leave them on the counter, make sure you leave them unwashed. Eggs can be good for 1-2 months on the counter or up to 6 months in the fridge.

If you are keeping them in the fridge, make sure they are kept on a shelf and not in the door. Eggs are sensitive to the changing in temperatures. So it is best to keep them the same temp constantly, either on the counter or in the fridge.