Too Afraid to Eat the Eggs

[fuscia]

I wasn't expecting this, but now that my hens are laying eggs, I'm afraid to eat them. Are store eggs cleaner? My hens live a good life, they free range, and I clean their coop everyday. The eggs generally come out clean. The other thing is, I ended up with 3 roosters so I have one in with my hens, so I'm sure some eggs are fertile. I get them as soon as they are laid and put them in the fridge. I've noticed they tend to have more water in them. Also how long will my eggs last in the fridge. It's so weird that I'm grossed out by my own fresh eggs. Anyone else have this issue with themselves, psychologically.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Freshly collected unwashed eggs stored in a sealed container in the refrigerator should last 4 months.
The only reason store eggs would be cleaner than your eggs laid in a clean nest is that, by law, commercial eggs are required to be washed.
This washing requires that they then need to be refrigerated because they have had the protective bloom/cuticle removed.
I leave my clean unwashed eggs on the counter, sometimes for up to a month. Unwashed eggs in other countries stay on the store shelves. No refrigeration needed.
There is no difference between a fertile and non-fertile egg except the blastoderm/blastodisc. That is the white dot on the yolk. I need a magnifying glass to be able to tell the difference.
No development occurs unless they are stored well over 80F.

 

[rjohns39]

There are lots of good posts out here about eggs and shelf life so I'll try to recap. Your eggs are WAY cleaner than store bought and will be higher in omega 3s and other vitamins. When the chicken lays the egg she coats it with a bloom that is designed to shield it from bacteria. The shell is semi-permeable. If you choose to wash your eggs make sure the water temp is at least 20 degrees warmer than the egg, otherwise you'll push what's outside, inside. Also, refrigerate immediately if you wash. Unwashed eggs will last quite a while without refrigeration and longer with refrigeration. Its also fine to eat fertile eggs.

Store bought eggs can be stored by the source for up to thirty days and they can remain on the store shelf for another 30 days.

 

[IdyllwildAcres]

Store bought eggs for the most part are produced in overcrowded dirty inhumane conditions. Wash your eggs with warm water then refrigerate if you are worried and you are miles ahead of anything you can buy in a store.

Gary

 

[MillersFarm]

For a first time chicken owner i dont blame you for being grossed out a first, But honestly its the store-bought eggs that gross me out, I remember talking to this one guy who delivered eggs. Told us that I didnt want to know How old the eggs were. Not only that but your free-ranged eggs are much more healthier for you to eat then store bought eggs.
Ask any farmer and they’ll tell you that their homegrown eggs are richer and better-tasting than the supermarket variety. Studies, however, don’t demonstrate this flavor difference. In blind taste tests, store-bought eggs and farm-fresh eggs are barely distinguishable by flavor. The belief that homegrown eggs are more savory seems to stem more from the knowledge of how the eggs were collected and the hens were raised than any measurable taste differences.

The real benefits of free-range eggs are in their nutritional value. Studies show several advantages to farm-fresh eggs, including:

• less cholesterol
• less saturated fat
• increased vitamins A, E and D
• more omega-3 fatty acids
• more beta carotene

I could go on but i'll save you the trouble of reading for an hour straight and end it here.

 

[HenOnAJuneBug]

Yeah I ran up against that thought before I ate my first egg. For me I think it was due to the insecurity of not really knowing what I was doing, and actually relying on myself rather than society. What if I'm doing something wrong? You have to be rational about it and recognize what good care you give them. Give some to some friends. When they tell you how good they taste it will help put your mind at ease.

 

[rjohns39]

Oh and don't be surprised if you notice that your yolks are dark orange as opposed to pale yellow. Also your whites will likely be firmer. These are both things that come from chickens who are allowed to be chickens and eat grass and bugs.

 

[GC-Raptor]

For a first time chicken owner i dont blame you for being grossed out a first, But honestly its the store-bought eggs that gross me out, I remember talking to this one guy who delivered eggs. Told us that I didnt want to know How old the eggs were. Not only that but your free-ranged eggs are much more healthier for you to eat then store bought eggs.
Ask any farmer and they’ll tell you that their homegrown eggs are richer and better-tasting than the supermarket variety. Studies, however, don’t demonstrate this flavor difference. In blind taste tests, store-bought eggs and farm-fresh eggs are barely distinguishable by flavor. The belief that homegrown eggs are more savory seems to stem more from the knowledge of how the eggs were collected and the hens were raised than any measurable taste differences.

The real benefits of free-range eggs are in their nutritional value. Studies show several advantages to farm-fresh eggs, including:

• less cholesterol
• less saturated fat
• increased vitamins A, E and D
• more omega-3 fatty acids
• more beta carotene

I could go on but i'll save you the trouble of reading for an hour straight and end it here.

I notice a big difference in taste of the yolk. The first time I bit into the yolk of a medium boiled egg from my pullets. The burst of flavor took me back to my childhood. I grew up with chickens for 21 years.
Boil a fresh egg and you can taste the difference when it's not smothered in grease.
Tip; fresh boiled eggs are hard to peel. After boiling dump out the water and cover eggs with cold water for 5 to 7 minutes depending on size and how many eggs in the pot. It will be easier to peel. GC

 

[GranolaGirl72]

Nothing to add to all the above advice, just my support. Eat your egg, you will be very happy.

 

[AlleysChicks]

My mom refuses to eat my chickens eggs. They are fresh, my chickens are happy and healthy. The taste is stronger and I can't eat store bought anymore.

Make a cake and other foods containing eggs before you try a straight egg. That might help