Comments on Urban Chickens Network blog: how to clean urban chicken eggs

You probably already know this but eggs have a nat...

2008-06-25T22:51:00.000-07:00

You probably already know this but eggs have a natural coating called "bloom" which basically seals them, keeps the various bacteria out and keeps them fresh. That's why people will see eggs sitting out at a market in Mexico (something that bothers the gringos). It's also the reason a hen can lay a clutch of a dozen or so yet have them all hatch about the same time. Until she starts sitting on them, keeping them at a constant temperature, they are in a stasis.

Once washed, the coating is gone and the eggs can't be left out as the shell is porous. Eggs bought in the store have to be washed (and are usually in a corn based detergent, then covered in a corn based coating) according to the rules so would go bad quickly if left out. They also turn quicker in the fridge than unwashed.

Here's a great article Mother Earth News did on various techniques of storing eggs and the results over a year.

We use a fingernail brush like deal to clean off dirty eggs before storing. The eggs I used to buy at the farmers market would often have a little dirt and even a downy feather or two attached but I loved that as it showed the origins. We are so freaked about sanitation in North America often causing more problems with our obsessions.

For instance, just as the cold water draws in the germs to the eggs, that's what is currently believed to be the issue with the tomatoes. Warm toms from the fields are being dunked in ice water to firm them up so they'll be tougher for the rest of the processing before hitting store or restaurant. That temperature shock is sucking the germs in through the stem end which has been compromised in the picking.

Hmmmm...I don't wash the eggs I collect from my he...

2008-06-22T08:04:00.000-07:00

Hmmmm...I don't wash the eggs I collect from my hens, but I do put them in the refrigerator. So, I'm trying to figure out if this is a practice that I should change. Typically, I give them a quick rinse under the tap before I crack them open, and I always tell the people I give eggs to that they are NOT washed. Of course, I've never gotten ill from eating eggs from my hens, even when they aren't thoroughly cooked or are raw, and neither has anyone else. So, then I guess I'm OK?

Turn about is fair play. I loved that link to the...

2008-06-21T06:20:00.000-07:00

Turn about is fair play. I loved that link to the article on washing eggs. What would we do if we didn't help each other?

Most of our eggs are pretty clean in the nest and I always try to keep fresh straw in the hen's boxes. If I can get the eggs before the roosters and the other hens start tromping around on them I have better results.