Should you wash fresh eggs?

If you are new to chickens and just collected the first egg your girls laid, you might have a question about whether you need to wash fresh eggs. Either way, you might feel inclined to wash anything that is exposed to potential environmental bacteria, which can, in general, minimize the risk of developing a deadly infection. But this isn't always the case. For fresh eggs, washing does more harm than good.

The chicken egg itself has a natural coating called the "bloom" or "cuticle," which seals the pores of the eggshell and thereby protects the insides from bacteria. Things will get worse if you wash them as soon as you collect them from the nesting box. The process of washing can destroy their protective layer and easily encourage the transfer of bacteria. In this case, eggs will stay fresher if they are unwashed.

We frequently discover our eggs tossed around in droppings or pooped on. This allows germs to develop on the surface of eggs, putting you at increased risk of salmonella infection. To avoid infection, it goes to reason that you should handle fresh eggs carefully.

Rinse the eggs in warm water at least 20 degrees warmer than the eggs. Warm water can prevent bacteria from steeping inside your eggs, but cold water can quickly introduce bacteria into the eggs.

There is no need to use soap or other detergents that can damage the thin protective layer.Give fresh eggs a short rinse to keep the natural coating on the eggshell. After rubbing debris or anything on the eggshell, place the eggs in a colander. Rinse them again with warm water quickly. Dry them thoroughly with a towel.

Fresh, unwashed eggs do not need to be refrigerated. Maintain them at room temperature. When eggs are stored pointed side down, they last longer. However, if you are not going to eat the eggs right away or if they have been washed, keep them in the refrigerator.

Keep in mind that you should collect eggs at least once or twice a day. They will become dirtier the longer they remain in the nesting box. Another way to avoid infection is to keep the nesting box clean by replacing the layer of bedding on a regular basis.