Six tips

for keeping eggs fresh for longer 

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The best part about keeping chickens is having fresh eggs delivered daily! Chances are you will be gathering more eggs than you can eat daily and will need to store some of them. Eggs should be stored properly to help them stay fresher, longer.

  • Keep eggs clean from the start. Having nesting boxes with clean bedding will help keep the eggshells free of dirt, straw, and chicken poop. Enough said.
  • Do not wash your eggs – Sounds weird right? Why not clean the eggs right away? Freshly laid eggs are covered with a “bloom” on the surface of the shell. The bloom is nature’s way of keeping out air and bacteria that can spoil your huevos rancheros. Don’t wash the eggs to keep the bloom intact for longer storage.
  • To refrigerate or not to refrigerate? Believe it or not, refrigerating your eggs is cultural. In the U.S., it is the norm to keep eggs cold in the refrigerator. In Europe, eggs are usually sold and stored at room temperature. While the choice is personal, just keep in mind that refrigerated eggs will keep about 7 times longer than those kept on the counter.
  • Pointy side down – There is a correct way to store your eggs in their cartons. Keep the pointy end down and the blunt end up. There is an air sac in the blunt end, and by keeping it at the top of the egg, you can keep moisture from being lost within the egg. Also remember that egg shells are porous and can absorb odors. It is best to keep them in a closed container or covered.
  • Wash just before using – Gently wash an egg with warm tap water just before using it. The temperature of the water is important. If the water is cool it will cause the inner membrane to contract, which can draw bacteria in through the egg shell and into the egg. Using warm water keeps the bad stuff out.
  • Freeze for later – It’s feast or famine when it comes to egg production. Savvy chicken keepers freeze eggs in the summer months to eat when production slows during winter.

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