How Long Do Fresh Laid Eggs Last?

There’s nothing like fresh eggs every morning or any other time of the day. Eggs are high in nutrition and healthy to eat. If you own backyard chickens, you may have hens that are laying eggs. You may wonder how long will fresh laid eggs last.

How long do fresh laid eggs last? In the refrigerator, freshly laid eggs will last for about 15 weeks, whether it’s washed or not. At room temperature, unwashed eggs will last for about 4 weeks, while washed eggs last for around 1 week.

How Long Do Fresh Eggs Last In The Fridge?

Most people will not use up all the eggs at one time. For that reason, the rest of the unused eggs will go into the fridge.

Depending on the country you live in, some think eggs should be stored in the fridge, while others think leaving them at room temperature is better.

So, how long do eggs last in the fridge?

According to a study done, researchers did an experiment on 5,400 eggs. These were stored in the fridge and at room temperature.

The results are as followed:

The eggs that are stored in the refrigerator, both washed and unwashed were still Grade A quality after 15 weeks.

On the other hand, unwashed eggs that were stored at room temperature didn’t do quite well. After about a week, the eggs went from Grade A to Grade B.

What is the Coating on Chicken Eggs?

When hens lay eggs, they will cover a protective coating on the eggs. The protective coating is known as the egg bloom.

Before the hen lays an egg, she will add the bloom or cuticle around the entire eggshell. This coating is to protect bacteria from entering the pores in the eggshell. If bacteria are able to get into the egg, it will spoil the egg.

In addition, the protective coating helps keep the moisture inside the eggs from escaping.

The egg bloom is important to the eggs as this is what will keep the egg fresh for a long time.

How Long Do Fresh Eggs Last At Room Temperature?

Fresh eggs will last for about 4 weeks at room temperature if it has not been washed. If the eggs are washed, they will last for around a week.

Whether the eggs are washed or not, after about a week, the quality of it will start to deteriorate. It won’t spoil, but the taste of it will not taste as fresh as it should.

How Long Do Frozen Eggs last?

Frozen eggs can last for up to 1 year in the freezer. After that, the quality of the egg will start to deteriorate.

When freezing eggs, make sure to separate the egg white from the yolk. The egg whites will not freeze well. As it thaws, it will become chewy and watery.

How Should You Store Fresh Eggs?

It depends on how long you’re planning to use the eggs. If you’re planning to use them within 4 weeks, you can store them at room temperature. Make sure not to wash the eggs. They have a protective coating that prevents them from spoiling.

Once they are washed, the eggs will last no longer than a week at room temperature. You’ll either need to use them right away or store them in the fridge.

In the fridge, you can keep freshly laid eggs for up to 15 weeks. You can either store them in the fridge washed or unwashed.

How to Wash Fresh Eggs?

If you’re planning to wash fresh eggs, the process is simple and straightforward. Below are the steps to clean the eggs:

  1. Under cool running water, wash each egg to remove dirt and other debris from it.
  2. Using a paper towel or cloth, dry each egg separately.
  3. Place the clean eggs into a container or basket. If using a container, it’s best to not use a lid to cover it. If you do, don’t seal it tightly. You want fresh air to circulate in and out of the container.

How Do You Know If An Egg Has Salmonella

Salmonella is a bacterium that’s found inside and outside the egg’s shell. Unfortunately, there’s no way to tell if the egg has salmonella just by looking at it.

Fresh eggs will also contain salmonella. Again, there’s no way to see if the egg has bacteria.

If the salmonella is on the egg, it takes time for them to penetrate into the egg’s shell.

To prevent getting sick, it’s recommended to always cook the eggs thoroughly before eating them.

Conclusion

Fresh laid eggs will last the longest in the refrigerator. If you’re planning to eat the eggs within a week, you can leave them at room temperature. Otherwise, it’s best to store them in the fridge to keep them fresh longer.