Egg Handling and Storage

Why does egg handling matter for safety?

Eggs can carry germs on the shell, and sometimes inside, that cause foodborne illness. Healthy-looking hens and clean-looking eggs can still be a source, so safe handling applies to every flock, however small or well kept.

The goal is to keep shells clean, keep eggs cool, avoid cracks and cook them properly. Current guidance on temperatures and times comes from the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service, the CDC and your state agriculture department, and it can change, so check it rather than relying on memory or a neighbor's habit.

How often should I collect eggs?

Collect at least once a day, and more often in hot, cold or wet weather. Eggs left in the nest pick up dirt and droppings, can crack when hens step on them and encourage hens to sit on them or eat them. Frequent collection also keeps eggs cleaner and fresher.

Wash your hands before and after collecting. Use a clean, sturdy container, and avoid stacking so many eggs that those at the bottom crack.

Keep nest boxes stocked with fresh bedding and replace soiled material right away. A clean nest is the easiest way to keep shells clean, and it saves you from needing to wash many eggs at all.

• Collect every day, more in extreme weather
• Keep nest boxes full of clean, dry bedding
• Use a clean container that does not crush eggs
• Wash hands before and after collecting

Should I wash eggs, and how?

Practices differ. Eggs have a natural protective coating, and washing can remove it and push germs into the shell if done wrongly. Many keepers brush or wipe off light dirt and wash only eggs that are visibly soiled. Others wash all eggs and then refrigerate them. Rules for eggs that are sold are set by each state, so ask your state agriculture department.

If you wash, follow current guidance from your extension office or the USDA on water, technique and drying. Do not soak eggs, and do not wash them and then leave them out. Throw out eggs that are dirty and cracked rather than trying to save them.

How should I store eggs?

Cooling slows the growth of germs. Keep eggs in a clean container in a cold, steady place such as the refrigerator, away from strong-smelling foods, since shells let odors pass through. Store them in a way that avoids temperature swings, and avoid putting them in the door of the fridge, where temperature changes most.

Eggs that have been washed should be refrigerated. Ask your extension office or the USDA what storage guidance applies to your situation, including how long eggs keep, since advice depends on handling and storage method.

Give some thought to your refrigerator. A crowded, frequently opened fridge holds eggs at an uneven temperature, so a dedicated shelf or a closed container works better. If your power goes out, ask your extension office or the USDA how to judge whether stored eggs are still safe, rather than guessing.

What do I do with cracked, dirty or odd eggs?

Discard cracked eggs, eggs with leaking contents and eggs that smell or look wrong when opened. Do not feed cracked eggs to the flock without thinking, since doing so can encourage egg eating and spread germs.

Odd eggs, such as those with blood spots, soft shells or unusual shapes, happen from time to time. A single odd egg is rarely a concern, but a pattern can point to a feed, health or stress problem, so mention it to your vet or extension office.

How do I label and rotate eggs?

Mark containers with the date collected and use the oldest first. This simple habit keeps eggs from sitting in the back of the fridge for too long. If you give eggs away, include the date and tell the recipient how to store them.

Selling or giving eggs may bring rules about labeling, cartons, licensing, cooling and where you may sell, which vary by state and sometimes by county. Contact your state agriculture department before you sell, and ask your local health office whether anything else applies.

How do I protect my family when cooking?

Wash hands, utensils and surfaces after handling raw eggs, and cook eggs thoroughly using current guidance from the USDA and CDC. Young children, older adults, pregnant people and anyone with a weakened immune system face greater risk from foodborne illness, so ask your doctor about what is right for them.

Wash your hands after handling hens and eggs, and keep birds out of the kitchen. If someone becomes ill after eating eggs, contact a doctor and your local public health office.

Last reviewed: November 12, 2026. Written by the Homestead & Small Farm Editorial Team. See our editorial policy.