When should you collect my chickens eggs? How do you collect eggs from a chicken coop? What happens if you don’t collect chicken eggs? We answer all these questions and more in our article on how to collect, clean, store, and hatch chicken eggs.
Once you’ve eaten farm-fresh eggs, it’s hard to go back to grocery store eggs. Fresh farm eggs, free-range or not, are delicious, with bright yolks and firm whites. Grocery store eggs are often already a month old before they even get to the shelves.
When to Collect Eggs
You’ll want to collect eggs every morning; hens cackling loudly are a sign or clue that they’re laying. I usually have another look in the evening as well. Some hens lay in the morning and others in the evening.
How Often do Chickens Lay Eggs?
Hens lay about one egg per day when they’re laying. You’ll collect more eggs during extremely warm or cold weather. Collecting eggs frequently keeps the eggs from breaking due to hen traffic. Always discard eggs with cracks which allow bacteria to enter the egg.
Also, be sure the shells are strong. Give your hens ground oyster shell or a similar calcium supplement, available at farm suppliers, for strong eggshells.
Why Are My Chickens Eating Eggs?!
Oddly enough, chickens like to eat eggs as much as we do. Most egg-eaters learn on broken eggs and then begin to break eggs themselves. Chickens are opportunists and will pick at whatever looks edible. If you clean up broken eggs immediately and throw out any “eggy” straw or shavings, you can prevent egg-eating. A chicken that learns this habit can’t be cured, and others may follow her lead. You don’t want the chickens eating your eggs—you want them yourself!
You can tell what color eggs a hen will lay by the color of her ear. Yes, her ear. Birds don’t have external ears like humans do, so look for a small circle or oval of skin on the side of the head, next to the ear hole. If it’s white, your hen will lay white eggs; if it’s red, she’ll lay brown ones. There’s no difference in flavor or nutrition, but white eggs show the dyes more brightly at Easter! (Especially natural dyes, as pictured here.)
Cleaning and Storing Eggs
Avoid washing farm-fresh eggs if you can; instead, wipe with a dry, rough cloth. Eggshells have a “bloom,” a natural coating that protects the egg from bacteria. If you wash the eggs, it removes this protective layer and you need to put in the refrigerator. Otherwise, the eggs can be stored on the counter for up to a month or stored in the refrigerator; it’s personal preference. I think the eggs taste better within two weeks, but they’re fine to eat within a month of laying.
If the eggs have a little manure on them, remove. To keep your eggs clean, keep their straw fresh and pick out any large pieces of muck best you can, but it’s inevitable that the eggs may have a little muck on them. Just wipe with a damp cloth for small spots.
A really dirty egg can be submerged and scrubbed with a vegetable brush. Always use warm water (wearmer than the egg); cold water will make the egg shrink inside the shell and will draw in bacteria.
If you wash the eggs, be gentle and quick. Let eggs air-dry thoroughly before putting them away. (I like to sort them by color, darkest to lightest, but that’s just me!)
I put my eggs in dated egg cartons, and store them in the fridge on a shelf—not the door, where they will get jostled with every opening/closing. For partial cartons, I mark each egg in pencil with the day it was collected. Refrigerate between 32- and 40-degrees Fahrenheit. Fresh eggs are good for a month in the refrigerator.
A cooking tip: To make deviled eggs, use week-old or older eggs, not this morning’s. The shells of really fresh eggs stick and don’t peel cleanly.
Hatching Chicken Eggs
A common question is whether a chicken could hatch from an egg purchased at the grocery store. This is typically not possible. For a chicken to develop from an egg, it must be fertilized. Most eggs sold commercially in the grocery store are from poultry farms and have not been fertilized. Now that that question is answered, let’s get to the business of babies.
If you want chicks, you’ll need a rooster!
As a rule of thumb, 10 to 12 hens per rooster is a good ratio. While you could build an incubator and supervise the development of the eggs, it’s easiest to let the hens take care of hatching.
A hen that is getting ready to nest becomes “broody.” This means that she wants to hatch her eggs. She’ll sit “tight” on the nest and resist having her eggs collected, whereas a non-broody hen will let you reach under her to collect eggs. A broody hen may even peck or screech at anyone coming near. There are ways to discourage broodiness, but why would you? The hen does all the work of hatching and raising—and you get free chicks!
If you do decide to get an incubator, a forced-air model with an automatic egg-turner is recommended, as eggs will need to be turned four to five times a day. The temperature inside the incubator should be between 99° and 102°F, while the humidity should remain between 55 and 60%. Chicken eggs will hatch after approximately 21 days. Check with your local cooperative extension service for more information.
Farm chickens can live 4 to 7 years and lay eggs for most of that time. Every year they go “off-lay” (stop laying eggs) for several months. This happens over the winter, when there’s too little daylight to trigger egg-laying. They’ll begin again in the spring.
See what to do when chickens stop laying eggs.
More of Raising Chickens 101
This article is part of our Raising Chickens 101 series. See more of our beginner’s guide to raising chickens:
Reader Comments
Leave a Comment
washing eggs
Great article, enjoyed very much. I'm all for letting the hen do the work. There is a spelling error that you need to edit. It says use water "wearmer than the egg". Should be "warmer". Thanks so much for the information.
Storing eggs
I just read an article about storing unwashed eggs in
Lime( calcium hydroxide) . Has anybody heard of this and is it safe?
Earlobe color?
The Barred Holland (American Class) has a red earlobe and are great layers of white eggs. They are remarkably calm and easy to handle.
off lay
Chickens quit laying during their 'molt' and if not enough daylight.
Germinal Spot
Why do I see a germinal spot at times and other times do not, even when the eggs are not really fertilized. Also have never noticed one on commercial eggs. Why is this?
Thank You,
Caroline
Red spots on egg yolk
Despite what many folks think, these red spots do not indicate a fertilized egg. They are caused by the rupture of a blood vessel on the yolk surface during the formation of the egg or by a similar accident in the wall of the oviduct. Less than 1% of eggs have blood spots. Most grocery store eggs with blood spots are removed but it’s impossible for even an electronic spotter to catch them all. As an egg ages, the yolk takes up water from the albumen to dilute the blood spot so a spot actually indicates that the egg is fresh. Both chemically and nutritionally, these eggs are fit to eat. Remove a spot with the tip of a knife if you wish. Source: University of Kentucky College of Agriculture in Lexington, KY (afs.ca.uky.edu)
Spots on egge
Your answer was somewhat incorrect. Egg yolks have spots on them naturally, this is where the sperm fertilizes the egg...however the spot is there whether or not the egg has been fertilized. Any red seen in eggs can be originated from the hen's uterus, sometimes a small chunk will be in the egg. Other blood as you indicated, may be an egg that has been fertilized and set on by a broody hen. If the red is there and no one is setting, it's from the hen who layed it. And yes bought eggs do have the spot on the yolk, and some have the pieces of uterine tissue. Personally, I would not want to eat an egg which has started incubating....
Washing eggs
Well, I think I messed up. I hand washed a dozen fresh eggs using cool water and Dawn dish soap. Should I refrigerate them now and how long will they last?
Refrigeration
Yes, refrigerate the eggs if you’ve washed them. They should last 1-2 months in the fridge, though they will have a better taste if eaten sooner.
Washing eggs
Never use any soap thay is not Organic. Eggs breath and will absorb what is put on the shells or what the eggs are put in. Dawn soap is Not safe to wash the eggs in. I raise and sell free range, organic chicken eggs...
laying year round in Central NC
Every year they go “off-lay” (stop laying eggs) for several months. This happens over the winter, when there’s too little daylight to trigger egg-laying. They’ll begin again in the spring.
That might be relative-during our relatively mild Central NC winters, our hens layed year round, while living in a unheated shelter (cedar shaving insulated) with fenced in outdoors area. These last two Winters-I have had to mow grass in Dec, Jan, and Feb-something I have never had to do before!
Nothing
Thank you for all of the change Chickens and eggs caring
collecting eggs of unknown age
there is a brooding feral chicken in my yard - she's been there at least a week, maybe longer. are her eggs still edible even after they've been developing, and up to how many of the 21 days gestation period? if i push her off and take the eggs, will she come back if i leave her a few?
Feral nesting situation
Well, I've partially answered my own questions: she let me take a couple of eggs before she scarpered off in a very agitated and truculent manner...there were 17 eggs! I took 10 and left 7. The fetuses were quite well developed - I'guess half way through the gestation period. Not at all appetizing, to me, but the two feral cats I feed polished them off, a little hesitantly. They enjoyed the fetuses well enough, but took their time over ingesting the yolk.
After half an hour, mama reappeared looking rather flustered and investigated the territory surrounding her nest. Seemingly satisfied, she reentered said nest and resumed brooding. Papa also appeared as part of the reentry process, surveying the scene with a protective, authoritarian air. Duly satisfied, he crowed once and strutted off back in the direction from whence he had come..........
I'm curious to see whether she lays more eggs, and whether the existing ones proceed to maturity given her half hour absence. Que sera sera.....
Feral Nesting
Really disgusting. First feral cats are a menace to wild birds. I think it's awful that you took the hen's babies, yes the forming chicks are babies and gave them to feral cats. If you are a cat lover, then take them into your home and not leave them out preying on the native birds of your area. If you don't really want them as your pets, then please have them trapped and taken to an animal shelter. Feral cats not only are a menace to the native species they prey on, but if not vaccinated are a major rabies potential.
time out of frig
If an egg is not washed ( removing the bloom) , can it be left on the counter for a few days???
I'd like to know this answer
I'd like to know this answer too
eggs
How long can eggs stay on counter is sbout3 months as long as they haven't been washed
I have 36 years of raising layers
I live in Northern Indiana, my flock is free range, organic and kitchen scraps fed. I allow them to die of old age. I have many hens and 1 of my 2 roosters (Joseph) and many of my hens are more than 12 years old and the girls are still laying strong. They know they are my pets but shy away from strangers. I find talking to them and telling them "Thank you girls for the good eggs, and thank you too boys for doing your jobs" does make a differance. They lay year round and I keep a light on 24 hrs year round for them. They don't lay as well if friends tend to them if I am out of area for a bit. Rather funny. I raise many Araconna and have lots of beautiful many coloured and freckled eggs. They sell fast. You can keep eggs 3 plus months in the frig. I have kept them hanging in a basket in my kitchen for 2 plus months in mild temperatures with no trouble. Store bought eggs ARE washed in bleach water. Remember eggs breath. That bleach water IS getting into the egg white and yolk. Never use regular soap to clean. I use Mrs. Myers organic dish soap. A couple of drops to sink full of water. Air dry on a matt.
Thank you
So much for all the information!
forgetting to collect
I get busy and forget to collect my eggs sometimes. How many days can an egg lay in the pen & still be safe to eat. I usually find one or two a day since they've started up again this spring. However, I've forgotten for about 5 days or more and I found 11 eggs today. Are they good?
Where can i see the answer of
Where can i see the answer of this question.
I have 36 years of raising layers
If its not hot weather but cooler you ought to be fine. Trouble with not gathering often is the nests can get too full and eggs get cracked then the hens start pecking at the broken ones. Test eggs in plain water, no salt needed, a rotting egg will have gas developing and cause it to float. A fresh egg sinks to bottom of glass or a still fresh but not very fresh will bob a little but not float. Crack questionable eggs in a separate bowl before adding it to your cooking as a precaution.
I would like to know the
I would like to know the answer to this question as well any info would be greatly appreciated thank u
how long eggs last
You shouldn’t worry if it’s been a few days. When eggs are sitting at room temperature, they can last for weeks. The eggs, before being washed, have a natural coating that seems them more protected. Of course, you can test your eggs yourself. If they do not sink to the bottom of a bowl of water, they are not fresh.
Eggs,
Are the safe to collect and eat within a week
Baby chicks
Can someone tell me when i can put my baby chickens out in the coop, they are now about 4 weeks old and about 75 % feathered ...
tranferring chicks to a coop
You want to wait until they are fully feathered, about 6 to 8 weeks. Especially if they will be introduced outside with no supplemental heat. It will also depend on the outside temperature and what the chicks are used to, whether they are big enough to fend for themselves if you have to gradually introduce them to other chickens in the coop, etc.
tranferring to the coop
when do you tranferr to coop
fresh eggs
I like to eat a same day fresh egg from my chickens, is this safe. I have heard the older generation say that an egg should not be eaten on the day it is laid. Is this true?
Eating fresh eggs
Eggs can absolutely be eaten same day, same hour even, of being laid. Too fresh eggs, when boiled, don't peel the shell off easily as eggs a couple or more weeks old ones do.
chicken eggs
i some days forget to collect eggs how long can they sit in the nest and still be safe to eat?
how to get the hen back on her eggs
hi we moved our hen and eggs to stop the other hens killing the chicks and now the hen wont sit back on then what can I do please
WE HAVE 2 CHICKENS AND ONE
WE HAVE 2 CHICKENS AND ONE ROOSTER THEY ARE 4 YEARS OLD NOW. THE CHICKENS ARE NOT LAYING ANY EGGS. I WONDER IF THEY ARE SICK. ONE OF THE GIRLS HAS LOOSE WASTE ALL THE TIME, BUT OTHERWISE SEEMS FINE. IS THERE ANYTHING I COULD GIVE HER FOR THAT?
I have been letting my hens
I have been letting my hens roam the yard since purchased a week or 2 ago. Today I just noticed that one of them had laid 4 eggs. I do not know how long they have been there done my husband usually cares for them and he also didn't know we had eggs. Should I leave them there and see if they will hatch? Also I would like to know how long I have to pick them up if I want to eat them.
Leaving the eggs to see if they'll hatch?
No, You shouldn't leave them there, They'll only hatch if you have a rooster and has mated with your hen. Also if your hen lays the egg and leaves it, you should collect it asap because She might peck and eat the egg, and if the hen lays and sits on the eggs, then she is a broody hen and you should get her some fertilized eggs and then she'll hatch the eggs. Hens will lay eggs which are always unfertlized, meaning that they will never hatch, Now if your hen has mated with a rooster, The egg can be fertilized and if the hen leaves the fertilized egg, you shall pick it up and incubate it for about 22 days and it will hatch!
are eggs that have soft and
are eggs that have soft and pliable shells still safe t
are eggs that have soft and
are eggs that have soft and pliable shells still safe t
Even if using this mornings
Even if using this mornings eggs, steaming them for 20-23 (minutes depending on size) the shell comes off perfectly. I have found this is the best way to hard boil day old or week old eggs.
I have 10 chickens that will
I have 10 chickens that will start laying in about two weeks or so. Lately when I go down to feed them, a couple of them have seemed aggressive and one in particular came up and pecked me so hard on one hand and the back of one leg that it broke the skin, bled and hurt pretty badly.
What would make a chicken do that? And, what would be the most effective way to stop that kind of behavior?
Okay,I don't know if this
Okay,I don't know if this will answer your question. But my buddy has chickens and he had the same problem. This sounds kinda weird but it's really not if you do it. It's kinda interesting at times. When I go out and feed my girls,I stoop down with them and just chill with them for a minute or two. I can put my hand in front of there face and they won't do anything they will just come up to me and get petted. There way mellow. I told my buddy to try that and it seems to of worked for him. His are mellow now.
How can I make my Broody stay
How can I make my Broody stay off the nest?
Why do chickens lay soft
Why do chickens lay soft shell eggs? Only today and I feed with laying feed with high calcium content.
First time looking at your site. very helpful so far!
Donna
Once a hen has hatched out
Once a hen has hatched out chicks, when can she be expected to lay eggs (Unfertilized?) for collection?
I love your sight it has
I love your sight it has helped me out a lot being that I am a beginner Just got 25 babies in Monday
I've been doing quail for
I've been doing quail for about 6 months now and decided to start raising chickens. Just got the baby chics in Monday. I googled how to raise chickens and when I found your sight it all made a lot more since. Thanks to who ever you are this sight helped me out a lot.
We are looking to get 8 hens.
We are looking to get 8 hens. We are planning to use a 10x10 pen is going to be large enough for them and how big should the coop be for them?
Generally, folks say 4 square
Generally, folks say 4 square feet per girl at minimum. A 6x8 would be fine and a 10x10 gives some nice extra room.
I know someone who hatchs.her
I know someone who hatchs.her own. She peels them out of their shell as soon as they peck a hole. Many die, i find it inhumane and cruel. I have hatched them with a warm homemade method/no machine.
Thanks for all the good
Thanks for all the good imformation.
My hens are healthy,
My hens are healthy, free-range, and are put in the pen and hen house each evening. So far, I havent closed the door and let them out of the pen about noon. They will put themselves into the hen house each evening and go to roost. My problem is, Im only finding one to three eggs in the hen house. But I just got 16 out of the horse barn, in a window frame between the stalls. I found over 2 doz. in an unused dog house. How do I get them to lay consistantly in the hen house? I will be putting up a door for winter, and have heat lamps for them.
I don`t have chic. I hope u
I don`t have chic. I hope u can ease my mind about this question. what is the white stuff attached to the yoke on to the white of the egg ???
?
If you are talking about the
If you are talking about the white stings those are called chalazas they hold the yolk in place. Also in the yolk you may see a white spot that is the germinal disk of the egg was to be fertilized that is the part that would eventually turn into the chick
When I was a kid my brother
When I was a kid my brother was convinced that the white stuff was from the rooster and he refused to eat the fresh eggs we had. I knew this was not true but didn’t mind because it left more for me.
I have one Americauna hen
I have one Americauna hen who's shells are paper thin even with oyster shell supplements. Can you tell me what's the problem? If I really beef up her diet with tons of calcium foods, they do get better, but I can't keep up that diet forever...too expensive. I'd rather give her away to a farm rescue I know...Also, I have 6 chicks about 6 weeks old. RRR's. Only 1 is about half the size of the others, and her feathers are coming in much more slowly...she seems fine otherwise. Why is she so small? Please respond by email...
when we decide to have
when we decide to have chicks, does it matter the breed of rooster? We have a variety of chickens and wonder does it make a difference?
You'll hear mixed opinions
You'll hear mixed opinions but the breed doesn't matter a lot to the hen. Just avoid mixing extra-small and -large breeds. However, the rooster needs be dominant--so he needs to be old enough. If your hens are mature, we'd say he should be at least a year. Also, you need 1 rooster for every 10 to 12 hens.
I have some pullets and some
I have some pullets and some red pullets. How many eggs a year can each kind lay?
First, understand that
First, understand that "pullets" are female chicks who do not yet lay eggs. Most breeds of hens will start laying at 20 weeks (4-6 months of age). The number of eggs depends on the hen. On average, 3 hens should give you 2 eggs a day. So, 18 hens = 84 eggs. Note that some hens will lay more often and some will lay less and you might find a hen that doesn't lay at all.
I only have 7 hens and get
I only have 7 hens and get around 3 dozen eggs a week. We collect any where from 5 to 7 eggs a day.
Great article! I am a first
Great article! I am a first time owner and this helps alot.
Thanks for a nice helpful
Thanks for a nice helpful article!