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Barnyard Buddies:  Washing Chicken Eggs  |
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Mad Typist
True Blue Farmgirl
55 Posts
Faith
Vermont
55 Posts |
 Posted - Oct 29 2009 : 5:06:27 PM
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I'm wondering if anyone has a brilliant method of washing chicken eggs that doesn't involve using chemicals but will still leave the eggs and my sink free of harmful bacteria. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated; thanks!
Savor Happy Accidents... |
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maggie14
True Blue Farmgirl
6784 Posts
Hannah
Washington
USA
6784 Posts |
Posted - Oct 29 2009 : 5:26:23 PM
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We don't have chickens but I have a friend who did and they just wash them off with warm water. Works good for them!!
Channah
If you can dream it, and if you are willing to put forth the work and effort, you can have anything you envision. |
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1badmamawolf
True Blue Farmgirl
2199 Posts
Teresa
"Bent Fence Farms"
Ca
USA
2199 Posts |
Posted - Oct 29 2009 : 5:36:05 PM
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Only wash them if they are poopy, and be very gentle, use only warm water. Other wise you are taking off that protective coating and eggs are pourous, so then the bacteria can invade the egg.
"Treat the earth well, it was not given to you by your parents, it was loaned to you by your children" |
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Sarahpauline
True Blue Farmgirl
672 Posts
sarah
Ringgold
GA
USA
672 Posts |
Posted - Oct 29 2009 : 6:37:39 PM
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My grandmother never washed them until she was getting ready to use them. Then she rinsed them in a little dish soap and water, but right before she used them. Otherwise as Teresa says the eggs will spoil.
My grandmother also used to scrub her cans before she opened them, which makes sense, I wish I could claim that I did that too but it would be a lie...
Not all those who wander are lost...
www.SarahPauline.com
www.AbraxasBaroque.com |
Edited by - Sarahpauline on Oct 29 2009 6:41:25 PM |
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MommaJ9
True Blue Farmgirl
157 Posts
Kimberly
Longview
Washington
USA
157 Posts |
Posted - Oct 29 2009 : 6:42:29 PM
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I don't wash mine until right before I use them. Just use water and a rag, but very gently! It might seem gross, but the protective coating is better than a little dried "poo"!
Farmgirl #783
http://jabezfarm.blogspot.com |
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levisgrammy
True Blue Farmgirl
9416 Posts
Denise
Beavercreek
Ohio
USA
9416 Posts |
Posted - Oct 29 2009 : 6:52:38 PM
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Yep have to agree with teresa and Kimberly. Except we wash ours when we collect them but we only wash the poo ones and leave the others if they aren't bad.
Haven't had any problems this way.
God is good....all the time.
Denise
www.torisgram.etsy.com |
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1badmamawolf
True Blue Farmgirl
2199 Posts
Teresa
"Bent Fence Farms"
Ca
USA
2199 Posts |
Posted - Oct 29 2009 : 7:52:21 PM
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Sarah, I also wash all lids before opening, including my own canning. Just the idea of someone elses germs on anything store bought, which I buy extremly little of cause I raise and grow most everything we eat, but i do have to buy spices and things like that, my flours and sugars don't stay in the store packages, they go into gallon jars. Also i do live in the country, and even with cats and dogs, we still get a mouse or two.
"Treat the earth well, it was not given to you by your parents, it was loaned to you by your children" |
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britchickny
True Blue Farmgirl
1048 Posts
Angie
Port Orange
Florida
1048 Posts |
Posted - Oct 30 2009 : 02:58:13 AM
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I just read this week about someone who is a certified egg seller (Is that the right title? and she uses very fine grit sand-paper, has been doing it for years, no problems.
ANGIE
"Mercy, peace and love be yours in abundance" JUDE 1:2
http://www.pinkroomponderings.blogspot.com/ |
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sherrye
True Blue Farmgirl
3775 Posts
sherry
bend in the high desert
oregon
USA
3775 Posts |
Posted - Oct 30 2009 : 07:06:45 AM
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| i have been selling eggs in produce stores for about 14 years. the agriculture book and storeys guide to raising chickens teach washing eggs in water that is 20 degrees warmer than the egg is best. if you think about how warm an egg gets under a hen sitting it makes sense that the seal would need to be stronger in warmth. by washing in warm not hot water the water does not penetrate the shell. you can also use fine grit sandpaper. our eggs are sold before they are layed so never get old. store eggs are cold stored for up to 6 months and can be still called fresh.when the egg gets wet you can feel the slippery seal loosen.we also use pine shavings in out nests with cedar or an aromatic wood to repel insects. shavings absorb moisture and help keep it off the egg.when put in the egg carton they need to be point end down. the reason is then when you crack the egg the egg stays in the middle of the pan instead of scooting off to the side. the ropes in the egg hold the yolk in center. when stored wrong the ropes stretch and the yolk gets loose. hope this helps. i have been butchering and having poultry for 16 years now. something i can do even with my disabilities. happy days sherrye |
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willowtreecreek
True Blue Farmgirl
4813 Posts
Julie
Russell
AR
USA
4813 Posts |
Posted - Oct 30 2009 : 08:24:57 AM
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I never wash! I just wipe any with dirt or poop with a damp rag. The eggs hace a wonderful protective coating on them and washing them removes it and allows bacteria to get in. they will last much longer unwashed!
Farmgirl Sister #17
Blog
www.willowtreecreek.wordpress.com
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Mad Typist
True Blue Farmgirl
55 Posts
Faith
Vermont
55 Posts |
Posted - Oct 30 2009 : 2:42:53 PM
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Thanks for all the great advice, ladies! I guess I'm no so far off the mark. I've been storing them unwashed until just before use and then washing them off in warm soapy water but I was worried about getting bacteria in the sink that might then come off on my dishes or any utensils I wash later. I've tried rinsing the sink out afterwards w/ vinegar but wasn't sure that would be strong enough...
Savor Happy Accidents... |
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naturemaiden
True Blue Farmgirl
2569 Posts
Connie - Farmgirl #673
Hoosick Falls
NY
USA
2569 Posts |
Posted - Nov 01 2009 : 03:46:06 AM
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we use to wash our duck eggs right away, there was so much poo on them, yuck. we always ate most of them without any problem, so who knows the best way. i just couldnt leave the poop on, lol
connie
www.NatureMaiden.com -Handcrafted Bath & Body Products that I make myself- including soaps, salves, lotion bars, lip balms, natural deodorants, body sprays, hydrosols, salt scrubs, and MUCH more!
http://naturemaidenbathbodyproduct.blogspot.com/(Business Blog)
http://flowerchild-lifeinthegarden.blogspot.com/(Personal blog)
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Bellepepper
True Blue Farmgirl
1207 Posts
Belle
Coffeyville
KS
USA
1207 Posts |
Posted - Nov 01 2009 : 06:08:47 AM
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We don't wash our eggs. If there is a lot of poop on them, we wipe them with a wet rag. If they have a tiny bit of poop, we leave it there. All those come in the house for our use. I only wash the bad ones but careful when I crack them when I use them. The eggs that we sell are never washed and we keep them in the fridge in the shop.
I had not thought of using pine shavings in the nest. We will have to try that. We have always used hay in the past and now using straw. We like the straw but we have to BUY it at the feed store. We have a chipper shredder and use chips on the floor under the roost. It all goes into the compost pile when we clean the hen house. Absorbs the moisture and makes good compost.
Belle |
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Mad Typist
True Blue Farmgirl
55 Posts
Faith
Vermont
55 Posts |
Posted - Nov 01 2009 : 06:34:53 AM
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Yeah, I'm w/ you, Connie - visible poo is a real turn-off! 
Savor Happy Accidents... |
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sherrye
True Blue Farmgirl
3775 Posts
sherry
bend in the high desert
oregon
USA
3775 Posts |
Posted - Nov 01 2009 : 07:35:06 AM
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| another suggestion is using a shop vac. for cleaning nest boxes. there is no dust. i keep a small one in the barn. i suck up the shavings and poop, then dump in my compost. keeps boxes very clean. i use one in my milk room also. we found them on craigslist cheap. when i wash the boxes i can suck up the moisture with same vac. i only do water occasionally on a hot day.i love shavings in my barn area for cows etc. makes for light work when cleaning up poop and the best compost.sherrye silk purse farm |
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Mad Typist
True Blue Farmgirl
55 Posts
Faith
Vermont
55 Posts |
Posted - Nov 01 2009 : 11:36:41 AM
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That's a great idea! Our chickens are quite weird; they never took to the nest boxes, only wanted to use them to stand (and poop!) on. They prefer to nest in little bowls they dig in the shavings on the floor but for some reason they don't seem to poop in them. I usually shovel out the poo that collects under the roost every morning and they're good to go!
Back to the basics...four chickens, two dogs, one boy and a DH |
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catscharm74
True Blue Farmgirl
4687 Posts
Heather
Texas
USA
4687 Posts |
Posted - Nov 01 2009 : 11:48:38 AM
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Honest to goodness...the things you learn when you come to these boards. I NOW will think about my eggs every time I take them out of the fridge. : )
Heather
"Hitch your wagon to a star"
http://somewheredownintexas-heather.blogspot.com |
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Miss2Missus
True Blue Farmgirl
407 Posts
Karen
Asheville
NC
USA
407 Posts |
Posted - Nov 01 2009 : 12:39:01 PM
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I know what you mean Heather! I never knew there was so much to it. Its nice having knowledble people out there,.
Karen ^_^
http://apple-and-eve.blogspot.com/ |
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sherrye
True Blue Farmgirl
3775 Posts
sherry
bend in the high desert
oregon
USA
3775 Posts |
Posted - Nov 01 2009 : 6:34:58 PM
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| sometimes they avoid the nest boxes if they are not private enough for them. we hung a curtain so they are in a dark place. they like to lay eggs there since eggs are babies and they keep them hidden while they sit. a nature thing. we just stapled a sheet on the ceiling in front of the boxes and let it hang down in front of the entrance holes.they get around the sheet and lay in there.just a thought. sherrye silk purse farm |
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deeredawn
True Blue Farmgirl
2306 Posts
Dawn
Cordova
TN
USA
2306 Posts |
Posted - Nov 01 2009 : 6:38:06 PM
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the poo doesnt bother me. I wash right before using as well. I have a basket in the frig full of eggs at anytime.
Dawn #279
MJ's Heirloom Mavens-QMD
http://www.harvestthymefarm.vpweb.com
~I'd rather be on my farm than Emperor of the World~George Washington |
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Mad Typist
True Blue Farmgirl
55 Posts
Faith
Vermont
55 Posts |
Posted - Nov 02 2009 : 5:02:24 PM
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Sherry - It's funny you mentioned the "privacy" curtain; I had read about using one so we hung one in front of the box but all my ridiculous hens could think to do with it was tear it down and drag it around the coop! Honestly, I think these hens have some strange anti-chicken behavior disorder going on...Did I mention they had a penchant for uncovering blue insulation foam to chow down on? Maybe THAT'S where the problem started! 
Back to the basics...four chickens, two dogs, one boy and a DH |
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sherrye
True Blue Farmgirl
3775 Posts
sherry
bend in the high desert
oregon
USA
3775 Posts |
Posted - Nov 02 2009 : 6:22:15 PM
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| i know how weird they can be too haha lol. ours will eat any thing made out of foam. it seems almost freaky. is it cold there in vt. now? we are getting a rest from the cold. we just moved our mini jersey with calf to a 24 foot by 40 tent barn we made. oh so spoiled. what good milk. milk cheese eggs meat and a garden what a blessing. love my chickens. they kept us fed this last winter by selling their eggs.hope we have another good egg prodution year. right now they are fussy with cold then got days. have a great night happy thiughts sherrye |
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Mad Typist
True Blue Farmgirl
55 Posts
Faith
Vermont
55 Posts |
Posted - Nov 07 2009 : 01:24:47 AM
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Yeah, we're beginning to cool down here in VT - yesterday there were little snow "shards" in the air. I need to get some plastic over the outside of the coop, esp. the plexiglass windows. Got our first gas bill since we turned the heat on and it was $156 for the month; ouch! Sounds like you've got a great operation going there! We had sheep and goats, along with pigs and chickens (and a horse) when I was growing up. It was a lot of work but great for the psyche!
Back to the basics...four chickens, two dogs, one boy and a DH |
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Barnyard Buddies: Washing Chicken Eggs |
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Washing Chicken Eggs
