How to Handle Farm Fresh Eggs

If the idea of farm fresh eggs makes you nervous, let me calm your worries. I’ll teach you how to handle farm fresh eggs so that you and your family can safely enjoy this rich protein source.

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And Not an Egg to Show For It

This spring we hatched two rounds of eggs. I was all excited for the farm fresh eggs in our kitchen. Well it has been 9 months and I don’t have a single egg to show for all of my hard work. We got more roosters than we did hens. The cool weather and less daylight hit about the time they were old enough to start laying. So due to all of those unfortunate events, I’m still buying eggs. But I do know how to handle farm fresh eggs because that is what I purchase when possible.

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How to Handle Farm Fresh Eggs

Washing Eggs

You want to avoid washing eggs if at all possible. Washing them will remove the protective layer called the bloom. Once the bloom is washed away eggs must be kept in the refrigerator because the shelf life isn’t as long. Keeping the nesting boxes clean will in turn help keep your eggs clean.

How to Store Farm Fresh Eggs

Fridge or Counter

You can keep unwashed eggs on the counter for weeks at a time. If you prefer to store them in the fridge that is fine, but you can not leave a refrigerated egg on the counter. Once it’s been stored in the fridge it must remain stored there. Washed eggs on the other hand must be kept in the fridge. Having an egg organizer will help you use the oldest eggs first.

Preservation

When learning how to handle farm fresh eggs, you may wonder how to preserve them. Especially if you have a lot of hens in full production. I don’t have that problem *sigh*. Eggs can be stored in the shell through a method called water glassing. You use limewater to keep them fresh. You can also freeze dry the eggs. This method is growing in popularity as freeze dryers are becoming more accessible. You can also freeze eggs. Although they will not make good scrambled eggs once they’ve been frozen, they should be fine in baked goods.

How to Use Farm Fresh Eggs

Bad Eggs

You can test for bad eggs using a bowl of room temperature water. If the egg sinks and lays on one side, then that egg is really fresh. If the egg slightly floats and stands up on end, then it is starting to get old. These make the best hard boiled eggs because they are easier to peel. If the egg floats then it has gone bad. Do not crack it open in your kitchen because the smell will be horrendous.

Cooking

You do not have to wash the egg before you cook with it. The only time you must wash an egg is when it is dirty. Since we don’t eat the shells, there is no need to wash a clean egg. Some people wash them prior to cracking just in case a bit of shell falls in the food. I am by no means a great egg cracker and I often have to dig shells out of the bowl, but I still do not wash clean eggs.