Are Backyard Chicken Eggs Safe To Eat? (Yes, With Some Precautions)

More individuals are raising chickens for their eggs. And menus in Minnesota restaurants feature dishes made with fresh locally raised eggs.

In Minnesota, people who sell or donate eggs from their own flock do not need a food handler license. They must, however, complete a licensing exemption form and register with the Minnesota Department of Agriculture. For more information, contact the Dairy and Meat Inspection Division, 651-201-6300.

Whether you raise, sell, give away or purchase farm fresh shell eggs, you can enjoy safe fresh local eggs when they are properly cleaned, candled, graded, sized, packed and stored.

Food safety checklist for farm fresh eggs

• Collect or pick eggs two to three times a day.
• Discard eggs with broken or cracked shells.
• Use dry cleaning tools like fine sandpaper, a brush, or an emery cloth to clean the shells. Do not use rags or sponges to scrub the eggs.
• Wet cleaning must meet water and egg temperature requirements. Statutes 29, Rules 1520 of Minnesota say that eggs must be sprayed with a germ-killing agent.
• Keep eggs dry. If shell gets wet, bacteria can pass through the shell.
• Before and after you clean eggs, wash your hands with soap and warm water.

• The chicken house is clean and dry. Floor litter is in good condition.
• Every week, the nests are cleaned and new materials are put in them.
• A perch is set up away from the nest so birds can sleep on it. Place a wire-mesh box under the perch to collect feces.
• There is a plan to get rid of animals that carry Salmonella, like cats, flies, beetles, rodents, and wild birds.
• Feed is stored to prevent contamination.
• Animal watering and feeding tools were cleaned in a sink other than the kitchen sink.

• Hold the egg up to a bright light to look for flaws inside the shell. (Done by the egg producer or by the purchaser. ).
• Discard eggs with abnormal shape, spots, cracks or other irregularities.
• If the eggs are less than 15 days old, they meet the USDA Grade AA quality standard after being candled if they are clean, well-shaped, and show no signs of damage. If you don’t control the temperature and humidity for 15 days, the quality drops to Grade A. After 30 days, egg quality decreases to Grade B. Eggs older than 30 days cannot be sold.

Size	Weight per dozen
Jumbo	30 oz.
Extra large	27 oz.
Large	24 oz.
Medium	21 oz.
Small	18 oz.

• Fiber egg cartons can be reused if they are clean. Remove prior packing information from the label. Use a permanent marker to cover up the dates, the packer’s name, and the contact information.
• Put the grade and size of the eggs, as well as the name, address, and zip code of the farmer, egg producer, or person selling the eggs, on egg cartons and/or flat cases. A package date in Julian calendar (or ordinal date) format. What is a Julian date? It’s the current year plus the number of days since the start of the year. The number 2021001 stands for January 1, 2021, and the number 2021365 stands for December 31, 2021. No more than 30 days from the date of packaging to the date of freshness “To avoid getting sick from bacteria, keep eggs in the fridge, cook them until the yolks are firm, and make sure foods with eggs are cooked all the way through.” ” .

• Refrigerate eggs at 45 degrees F or less after grading.
• Keep eggs in the carton. Keep away from fresh fruits and vegetables and in the coldest part of your fridge.
• Inspect eggs. Do not use if shell is cracked.
• Check cartons pack date. Eggs can be kept for four to five weeks after they are packed.
• Crack eggs into bowl before using. Throw away if you see any defects. An American Egg Board says that a blood spot on an egg yolk is usually a broken blood vessel that happens when the yolk is being made. Eggs with blood spots are safe to eat. You can remove the spot with a spoon or knife.
• After handling eggs, wash your hands, tools, and other things with hot soapy water.
• Never eat raw eggs. Egg whites and yolks that are not fully cooked have been linked to Salmonella outbreaks.
• To avoid illness, cook eggs until yolks are firm. Use a food thermometer to make sure that foods with eggs are cooked to 160 degrees F.
• If you leave cooked or raw eggs out at room temperature for more than two hours, you should throw them away.

• Bunning, M. (2010). Home-Produced Chicken Eggs. Colorado State University Extension. Fact sheet No. 9. 337.
• The University of Minnesota Extension, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, and the Minnesota Department of Health Sale of locally raised eggs to food facilities.

Suzanne Driessen, Extension educator

Are Backyard Chicken Eggs Safe To Eat?

FAQ

Is it safe to get eggs from backyard chickens?

Salmonella: One of the primary concerns with backyard eggs is the risk of Salmonella contamination. Chickens can carry Salmonella bacteria, which can be transmitted to the eggs. To reduce this risk: – Ensure chickens are healthy and vaccinated if possible. – Collect eggs frequently and store them properly.

Do you need to wash backyard chicken eggs before eating?

Yes, you should wash backyard chicken eggs before eating, but only right before you plan to use them. Washing eggs removes bacteria and contaminants that may be present on the shell. However, washing removes the bloom (or cuticle), a protective coating that seals the egg and prevents bacteria from entering through the pores of the shell.

Can you eat an egg right after the chicken lays it?

Yes, eggs from your friend’s chickens are generally safe to eat right away, provided they have been handled properly. Here are a few things to consider: Freshness: Check the lay date if possible. Fresh eggs are best consumed within a few weeks. Cleanliness: Ensure the eggs are clean and free from dirt or feces.

Are chicken eggs safe to eat?

Ensuring that your backyard eggs are safe to eat involves taking specific measures. Here are some good habits to keep: Keep things clean: Clean the chicken coop and nesting boxes often to stop bacteria from growing. Monitor Chicken Health: Regular veterinary check-ups can help identify any health issues early.

Can you eat backyard chicken eggs?

Backyard chicken eggs are as safe to eat as shop bought eggs. In fact, most chicken owners are more comfortable with their own eggs as they know how their chickens are treated. There is always a small risk of bacteria, such as salmonella, but under the right conditions, it’s minimal. Can You Eat Backyard Chickens’ Eggs? Absolutely!.

Are backyard chickens Good Eggs?

With the right approach and diligence, backyard eggs can be a delightful addition to your culinary endeavors, providing nourishment and peace of mind for you and your family. Finally, having chickens in your backyard isn’t just a way to get eggs or have a pet; it’s also a way to live a more fulfilling and environmentally friendly life. 1. Are eggs from backyard chickens safe to eat?.

Are backyard eggs safe to eat?

Enjoy the pleasure of taking care of chickens and eating fresh eggs, but keep food safety a top priority. With the right approach and diligence, backyard eggs can be a delightful addition to your culinary endeavors, providing nourishment and peace of mind for you and your family.

Are backyard chickens safe to eat?

Backyard chickens that are healthy and well-cared-for typically produce eggs that are safe for human consumption. Ensuring that your chickens are fed a balanced diet, have access to clean water, and live in a clean environment can significantly reduce health risks. However, it is important to exercise caution regarding potential contaminants.

Are backyard chickens healthy?

When you raise your own chickens, you can control their diet and living conditions, leading to a more organic egg option. As a result, consuming eggs from backyard chickens can contribute to a healthy diet and may even be a fresher and tastier alternative to mass-produced eggs. How can I ensure my backyard chickens are healthy?