Cleaning Farm Eggs

What's a good way to clean eggs that are farm fresh from the chicken coop?

MB in WY

Answers:

Cleaning Farm Eggs

My mom raised chickens on our farm. She would wipe the fresh eggs with a cloth soaked in vinegar. Everyone loved her fresh eggs. (02/19/2005)

By Kathy in IL

Cleaning Farm Eggs

I have heard that unless the eggs are dirty (ie., chicken manure) the eggs will keep longer and be less prone to get things like salmonella if you do not remove the coating the chicken leaves on the egg. So it depends on their condition and how you are going to use them, if you even need to clean them at all.

Warmest wishes.

(02/19/2005)

By Denise

Cleaning Farm Eggs

My parents raised chickens for several years and sold the eggs. So did my husband and I for a few years. There very seldom was ever an egg that was dirty. As long as the chickens are provided with laying boxes padded with straw they will use those boxes and you should never have dirty eggs. If they are being allowed to deposit their eggs on the ground on a regular basis, that's another story.

That was our experience when raising chickens. Over the years it was a rarity to ever find a dirty egg. For the rare egg that might have a little dirt spot it could easily be washed off with vinegar and used. (02/19/2005)

By Harriet

Cleaning Farm Eggs

As I understand it, "never" wash eggs before you are ready to use them. There is a natural protective covering on them that shouldn't be removed. Eggs with manure on them can be wiped with a damp cloth, if it's necessary. If you clean eggs with soap, etc, it allows bacteria to enter through the porous shells and that's where e-coli is a danger. We've had chickens for nearly 20 years and only cleaned eggs when we are ready to use them, and only if it is necessary. I can't think of a single time we have had a problem with that. (02/19/2005)

By Margie

Cleaning Farm Eggs

Water. That is all you should put on farm fresh eggs. If ours are especially "caked up", I put them in a dish of water and let them soak an hour or so. Then, I just rinse them off or scrub them more thoroughly with a wash cloth.

Eggshells are porous, I would not add soaps, cleaners, or anything else, just water. (02/20/2005)

By Lois Ann from NY

Cleaning Farm Eggs

I raise my chickens and use a cool water and vinegar solution only. However, I do have one inquiry. Some of my eggs have blood on the outside of them. Am I feeding my chickens something incorrectly? They get cherry grit, oyster shell, layers pellets, and plenty of water. Is there something wrong with them. (02/05/2008)

By Country Angel

Cleaning Farm Eggs

We put plastic Easter eggs in our nesting boxes to get the chickens to lay in the nest. Hope it helps you. (03/25/2008)

By Mary

Cleaning Farm Eggs

Eggs with blood on them are a hen's first egg she's laid. We call them "virgin eggs". (11/10/2008)

Cleaning Farm Eggs

I use a nail file to clean my eggs. (12/21/2009)

By abee