Found a clutch of eggs

[Cierrascoop]

So I found a clutch of 16 eggs today. I've been getting 0-2 a day from my four layers for the past two weeks instead of my normal 3 a day. Averaging 1 a day. Today I noticed today that two were up in my loft and did their egg song while shooting out of it like a bullet so I investigated. Would you say these would be safe to consume or no? It's been cold recently but I don't want to risk anything

 

[Cierrascoop]

Also noting that none were from my OEGB so it would be between three hens. Though I am not thinking my RIR lays there. She is pretty consistently laying in the box

 

[Hanathehappyhen]

Also noting that none were from my OEGB so it would be between three hens. Though I am not thinking my RIR lays there. She is pretty consistently laying in the box

If the weather has been cool, and you’re feeling brave go for it! I would recommend cracking the eggs into a separate bowl before using them though. (And be careful rotten eggs can really stink up a house.)

 

[BelovedBirds]

So I found a clutch of 16 eggs today. I've been getting 0-2 a day from my four layers for the past two weeks instead of my normal 3 a day. Averaging 1 a day. Today I noticed today that two were up in my loft and did their egg song while shooting out of it like a bullet so I investigated. Would you say these would be safe to consume or no? It's been cold recently but I don't want to risk anything

Do you have a roo? As long as no one is broody on the eggs, I would simply float test for freshness. The eggs should sink. As long as they do, they in theory should be okay, but you can only really tell once you crack the eggs.
If they look and smell good, they should be fine.

 

[igorsMistress]

Just crack em in a separate bowl to be sure they’re ok. It’s in the 90s here during the day and cool at night. I found a dozen eggs under my lemon tree that have been out there probably a week and I’ve used them. All good. I’ve stored unwashed eggs in a basket on the wall in my kitchen for a couple of months and they’re fine.

 

[Ridgerunner]

I don't want to risk anything

If you are uncomfortable, don't do it.

The risk is that bacteria can get inside and multiply. A hen can hide a nest and lay eggs for over two weeks, then incubate them for another three weeks without bacteria getting inside. Some birds like ducks can incubate for five weeks without the eggs going bad. Sounds like yours were out there a lot less than five weeks and you did not mention anything about a hen being broody and incubating them. If you don't have a rooster even a hen incubating them would not necessarily cause a problem.

That float test does not tell you if the eggs are good or bad. The older an egg gets the more moisture the egg loses. At some point it loses enough moisture to stand on end at the bottom of a bowl of water. A little more moisture and it floats. That float test can give you an idea of how old the egg is, not whether it is good or bad.

I suggest you always open our eggs in a separate bowl before you mix them with anything no matter how fresh they are. Sometimes there are defects inside the eggs that have nothing to do with a rooster. Search blood spots or meat spots for examples. The commercial hens lay eggs like that too but the commercial operations candle their eggs to remove them so customers don't get surprises.

Personally I'd use those eggs as long as they look OK and haven't been cracked. I store them for longer than that on my kitchen counter before I use them. But don't do anything you are uncomfortable with.