Best and Correct Method To Clean Dirty Eggs

Petite Poulet · **Joined:** Thu Jun 09, 2011 7:17 pm **Posts:** 5219

I understand that eggs shell are extremely porous and can become contaminated with bacteria, especially if washed and wonder what is the best and correct method to clean defecated poop off from them.

I always shovel the chook poop of of the nesting box where the girl's sleep every morning and fling it into the rose bushes and I always make sure that their fluffy bottoms are clean and washed and no not powdered and that there are no dags(do only sheep have dags?) attached to their vent feathers. So I have never really had to wash any of my girls eggs.

Hens and Hobbits · **Posted:** Mon May 07, 2012 9:01 pm

Salmonella, can be on both the outside shell and the inside of an egg. Salmonella can get into an egg from the outside in or the inside out. The safest way to store eggs are in the refrigerator. They need to be thoroughly cooked, and consumed without delay after cooking. Storing eggs in the refrigerated prevents any Salmonella present in the eggs from growing into higher proportions, so eggs should be refrigerated until they are needed. Under ideal conditions Salmonella doubles in number every 20 minutes, really scary if you are elderly, an infant, or have an impaired immune system where Salmonella can spread from the intestines into the blood stream and result in death.

Eggs have a natural antibacterial coating or bloom. Cold water will result in the pores of an eggshell to draw the surface bacteria through the egg’s shell into the egg. Every egg has about 9,000 pores.

If at all possible dry clean your eggs by using an abrasive such as a clean loofah, scourer, or sandpaper to rub off any dirt or poo, this way most of the bloom is kept intact.

If your eggs are encrusted by poo that has dried and impossible to rub off then wet cleaning may be necessary. The water needs to be warmer than the egg, do not submerge the eggs in water or let them sit in water either, wash them under running water. Use a paper towel to wipe dry.

Reusing egg cartoons can also cross contaminate eggs.

http://www.foodsafety.edu.au/news/2009/11/egg-safety/

BonnieA · **Joined:** Sun Apr 01, 2012 11:12 am **Posts:** 13

As I posted before you dont clean eggs if they are dirty you are not doing your jod properly. ie cleaning nesting boxes or other if you want clean
eggs by them from the shop

. hence if you have to put your eggs in the fridge you have to many. But again all info is subjective
just my opinion and what ive been told by generations past vs google

Hens and Hobbits · **Posted:** Mon May 07, 2012 9:41 pm

BonnieA wrote:

As I posted before you dont clean eggs if they are dirty you are not doing your jod properly. ie cleaning nesting boxes or other if you want clean
eggs by them from the shop

. hence if you have to put your eggs in the fridge you have to many. But again all info is subjective
just my opinion and what ive been told by generations past vs google

There are food handling and safety standards in every state and territory I presume, and there are certificate courses in food safety and handling reiterating the above details on cleaning and storing eggs.

Petite Poulet · **Joined:** Thu Jun 09, 2011 7:17 pm **Posts:** 5219

Thank you, kindly

for your contributions.

nolliavac · **Joined:** Sun Jul 17, 2011 3:29 pm **Posts:** 56

Hi on cleaning eggs, do you have to clean them if a hen is sitting on them? Is this preferrable, I noticed some poop on some of the eggs and a little concerned if I need to clean this off? What is the best method please?

JulienH · **Joined:** Thu May 10, 2012 8:24 am **Posts:** 2

I have the same question with setting eggs do they need to be clean and free from poo

Petite Poulet · **Joined:** Thu Jun 09, 2011 7:17 pm **Posts:** 5219

According to this PDF on CARE AND INCUBATION OF HATCHING EGGS you should only select clean eggs to incubate.

http://www.poultry.msstate.edu/extensio ... bation.pdf

Magnolia · **Joined:** Fri May 11, 2012 6:34 pm **Posts:** 1

What do you wash them with before you sell them I was thinking of a light mix of detergent and warm water

JulienH · **Joined:** Thu May 10, 2012 8:24 am **Posts:** 2

Use just wash water NO detergents at all and make sure the carton is new or cleaned well

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