Taking Care of Some Chickens

[J35]

All good advice above.

If you don't want to be bothered just gather the egg's and bury them in the feed barrel ,box, sack till the owner gets back.

They will stay nice and cool.

Have fun --J

 

[chkntrktr]

Appreciate the replies. I'll be taking them home daily, wash them, refridgerate them and return them to him when he gets back. Only problem is that he probably won't take them and insist I keep them, lol.

By the way, we love eggs. Especially farm fresh eggs.

Bill

Sounds like you should keep them. You'll enjoy them and he will feel like you got something for your trouble. We take our extra eggs to church and give them to elderly people and a young couple with two kids having a hard time, if he insists and you don't want them you can find somepne who will.

 

[JD435Bill]

No, if he insisits, I'll be happy as heck, lol. I just don't want him to feel like he has to pay me for a favor.

Appreciate all the replies and the detailed tips on washing and storing. They are in a spare carton in the fridge.

Bill

 

[JoeBuyer]

No, if he insisits, I'll be happy as heck, lol. I just don't want him to feel like he has to pay me for a favor.

Appreciate all the replies and the detailed tips on washing and storing. They are in a spare carton in the fridge.

Bill

Don't forget that when he gets back the girls will still be laying eggs. So unless he really likes eggs he may not be able to eat all the eggs you save plus the ones he gets daily. I bet he wants you to eat them. Or at least keep them and ask him when he gets back what you should do with them.

 

[JoeBuyer]

They say you should only wash eggs in warm water, warmer than the temp of the eggs all the way up to as hot as your bare hands can stand, it is said that using cold water makes the egg draw in bacteria through the pores of the shell possibly causing food poisoning whereas using hot water makes the insides of the eggs expand and push the bacteria out of the pores to be washed off and dipped in sanitizer if you want to do that, they should also be washed in running water rather than a bath of water, also eggs should be dry when stored. There's a lot of info online about the process but since you are only doing a few you should be good with a simple washing in the sink. Also don't use scented soap on them as they can draw in the smell.

I grew up on a farm and never knew this. To be honest I don't think we even washed the eggs. Yuck. I guess I am still learning after all.

 

[jimmpatrick]

Also don't use scented soap on them as they can draw in the smell.

Around here the truffle hunters make truffle omelettes by leaving a truffle in a bowl with whole eggs. The eggs absorb enough of the aroma to make the omelette and the truffle can be used in some other cooking as well.

 

[joshuabardwell]

I grew up on a farm and never knew this. To be honest I don't think we even washed the eggs. Yuck. I guess I am still learning after all.

If you do wash them, don't wash them until just before you use them. Eggs have a protective coating on them that keeps them fresher and keeps out bacteria and such. Washing the eggs removes it. If the eggs are very dirty with chicken manure and such, you can gently rub it off with a dry towel, but save the more aggressive washing until just before eating.

 

[Tororider]

If you do wash them, don't wash them until just before you use them. Eggs have a protective coating on them that keeps them fresher and keeps out bacteria and such. Washing the eggs removes it. If the eggs are very dirty with chicken manure and such, you can gently rub it off with a dry towel, but save the more aggressive washing until just before eating.

Yeah this.

 

[hunterridgefarm]

But if you want to have some fun with your friend find an old feather pillow and before he gets home close the chickens up, rip open the pillow and scatter the feathers all around

 

[PineRidge]

We don't wash eggs until we are ready to prepare them. Eggs come out very clean, surprising to some, and it is important to know a few things about cleaning eggs to keep them fresher, longer. First of all eggs have a natural antibacterial coating on them called the bloom. This coating protects the egg from bacteria getting to the inside. If possible, dry clean your eggs. Use an abrasive cleaning pad (without soap in it) to buff the egg. You only need to do this if you see something noticeable on the egg, like a small piece of dry manure or shavings that flakes off easily. Make sure you sanitize the cleaning pad occasionally, you want to clean the egg with a clean pad! I like to use the abrasive pads that do not scratch appliances. I want to buff the egg but not scratch it up to keep as much of the bloom on the egg as possible.

If your eggs look really messy, (which they shouldn't if the nests are clean) or if it has egg yolk stuck to it from another egg that broke, they might need something more than just dry cleaning. Rinse the eggs in running water from the faucet, (without soap) just warmer than the egg. Washing eggs in cold water makes the inside of the egg shrink, pulling the water and the bacteria it carries inside the egg. If water is warm it expands the inside of the egg against the shell and bacteria cannot enter the pores of the egg. Keep the eggs out of the main flow of water (do not immerse) or let them stand in water. After washing the eggs, set them out on a towel to dry. Allow eggs to completely air dry before putting them in the carton and into the fridge. I do not wash my eggs unless they look like they need it. My personal preference is to keep the bloom on the egg as long as possible.