This debate seems to be never ending: do you need to wash your eggs or not? Ultimately, it depends on how clean your eggs are naturally and whether or not you sell your eggs.
When an egg is laid, it is covered in a liquid membrane
called the ‘bloom’ to protect the shell from absorbing bacteria and
contaminating the egg. With this shield intact, the egg does not need to be
refrigerated and can sit at room temperature for 1-2 weeks. Lightly brushing
the egg with a dry cloth to remove any dirt or manure would not damage the bloom;
however washing the egg with water would remove that shield. If your eggs are
especially dirty, you would want to wash them to keep bacteria from entering
the egg once it’s cracked. If your goal is to not have to wash your eggs, keep
nesting boxes clean and collect eggs frequently, this will help avoid the eggs
getting dirty. It is recommended to wash the egg in warm water right before
use. Once the bloom is removed there is nothing blocking germs from entering
the egg, so washed eggs do need to be kept in a fridge or consumed right away. Keeping
eggs in the fridge increases their shelf life to several weeks.
WHAT'S RIGHT FOR YOU?
So, if your chickens are laying clean eggs for your own
consumption, then no you do not need to wash your eggs. Those chickens have
created a natural defense against bacteria for you. If you are selling eggs at
a farmer’s market or grocery store, be sure to research your local egg handling
laws. These vary from state to state and have strict regulations of how eggs
are to be sold.
Additional Info and Resources
I think, eggs need to be washed just in case if you are going to sell them. Nobody will want to buy dirty eggs. That's just my opinion.
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