Ladylucan Posted March 1, 2007 Share Posted March 1, 2007 Can anyone please help me with this question, for some reason at the moment the eggs are coming out really dirty and they seem to be all pooing in the nesting box!!, hence really really dirty eggs, Now i was told you shouldnt wash the eggs as the bacteria or something like that can get into the eggs, but how would you get them clean?, Any ideas?, Thanksxxxx PS. we are now back in our house after the fire, and the girls all seem to be none the worse for our departure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theherd123 Posted March 1, 2007 Share Posted March 1, 2007 So pleased you are back at home! Really pleased your girls are ok! I bet it feels great doesnt it?? As for the dirty eggs - i dont usually wipe mine but i think others wipe them with a piece of damp kitchen paper etc Not really sure about the bacteris thing Im sure someone who does know will be along soon! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
feemcg Posted March 1, 2007 Share Posted March 1, 2007 I wipe mine with damp kitchen roll - as long as the water is warmer than the egg the bacteria shouldn't enter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted March 1, 2007 Share Posted March 1, 2007 (edited) I wipe them with damp paper too. If they are really dirty I wash them very quickly in warm water and give them a bit of a rub. Apparently warm water is advised as cold water causes a protective membrane within the egg to shrink and allows bacteria to enter. I dry them quickly and thoroughly too. Never had any probs. Glad to hear that you are back home. Edited March 1, 2007 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ladylucan Posted March 1, 2007 Author Share Posted March 1, 2007 It is nice being back at home, though the first nite was a bit hairy to say the least, and i have woken up a few nites worrying, but i know it will pass, we only moved back in Monday, so its still early days yet, and its surprising that we had been out of the house for 5 weeks, . but as i said before, the girls seem ok, though i really do need to get out and give them a through clean out, they have had just the basic clean out up till now, hopefully by the weekend we will be all back up and running good. The last of my puppies go tomorrow which will also make life a bit easier, as i wont have to worry about them either, so we are getting there. Thanks for listening xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubereglu Posted March 1, 2007 Share Posted March 1, 2007 I'm glad your hens are okay and that you've been allowed to go and live back at your house. I wipe off my eggs with a piece of damp kitchen towel too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liz Steed Posted March 2, 2007 Share Posted March 2, 2007 Have always used warm damp kitchen roll, and for the really pooey ones, warm water and a sponge Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Helly Welly Posted March 2, 2007 Share Posted March 2, 2007 I have to say, i've never bothered to clean the eggs at all. Everyone who buys our eggs accepts that they may be a bit pooey, it shows that they are not shop-bought. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted March 2, 2007 Share Posted March 2, 2007 I just pop them under the tap for second,then rub it off - I use warm water. Some of them are so dirty (especially the white ones) that I just have to clean them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elaine C Posted March 2, 2007 Share Posted March 2, 2007 I don't usually bother to clean the eggs if I'm using them myself but those I give away and more recently sell I do wipe with a damp cloth, usually cold water so thanks for the info re warm water and bacteria, was not aware of that. At the moment the eggs aren't usually pooey (only if they have laid before I get to the nest box to sort out) just dirty from their little feet due to this wet weather. Is is possible to get a mat and train them to wipe their feet before they get in the nest box to lay - now that would be good? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snaps Posted March 4, 2007 Share Posted March 4, 2007 Yes, thanks for the info about using warm water. I've been using cold only because I ever so vaguely thought I remembered seeing somewhere that warm water might start to 'cook' the eggs slightly. Obviously off beam. I also remember seeing that eggs shouldn't be washed at all as the protective membrane over the shell is immediately damaged and bacteria can enter. But I do often wash ours. They are nearly always laid outdoors in their nest and not so much pooey as muddy, sometimes very. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paola Posted March 4, 2007 Share Posted March 4, 2007 I have to say, i've never bothered to clean the eggs at all. Everyone who buys our eggs accepts that they may be a bit pooey, it shows that they are not shop-bought. I never wash mine either Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin B Posted March 4, 2007 Share Posted March 4, 2007 I don't wash them if I am selling them on! I swear that I read it was illegal to wash eggs and then sell them if you haven't got some sort of a license! My customers say that they look more authentic with pooh on them! I've just sent one box off with my Mum for her to deliver on the way to Stratford! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Helly Welly Posted March 5, 2007 Share Posted March 5, 2007 I've never had a single complaint about my eggs being pooey and i have a few repeat customers. In fact, i'm selling so many i had to get a second eglu to keep up with demand. Life's too short for washing eggs when you don't even eat the shell Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin B Posted March 5, 2007 Share Posted March 5, 2007 I agree! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
