Do fresh eggs need to be gathered the same day the hen lays them?

Question

I am considering raising chickens on a property a few miles from my house. I have an automatic feeder for daily feeding and a pond on sight for water. I will normally be able to check on them twice a day but sometimes I may have to miss a day. Will the eggs gathered after missing a day still be safe to eat.

When answering please let me know if you have experience raising chickens or include your sources. Thanks

Answer 1

if you miss a day occasionally the eggs will still be safe but it is best to collect the eggs as often as you can so none get broken by the hens and the hens than discover eating eggs is a good thing (not)

Answer 2

Missing a couple of days here or there are not  going to be a problem with the eggs. The problem that you are going to have trying to raise chickens when you are not around is going to be losing the chickens themselves. Letting the chickens run free range is the best way to raise them, but you are going to have to put them up in safety each night and let them out every morning or you will have problems. You could do fine raising cattle by checking on then every few days, but chickens are going to need better care.

Answer 3

Yes.  After all most eggs are take way more than a day to get through the channels of commerce.  If you miss more than a day or two your production may drop because the hen may not lay as well with eggs in the nest.  Historically, eggs were gathered daily to stimulate production and to prevent predators from getting there first.

Answer 4

I am not sure if it is the same in the states, but if you live in Canada, you need to buy QUOTA to be able to raise and sell chickens.  If you have a few in your backyard that's fine, but if you want to make an industry out of it you need to buy quota, which is very very expensive.  Also if you do end up raising chickens, please to NOT keep them in battery cages.  

   The eggs do not need to be collected every day, the hen will take care of them as if they are her young.  (provided she has a place to nest.. which she won't if kept in a battery cage).  If you keep the eggs in with the hen too long she may go broody and not produce as many eggs.

  My source: Took animal science in University.

Answer 5

I've kept hens for 20+ years.  At the moment I have a dozen hens and a c**k living at the back of my house on the edge of the wood in a big paddock fenced with chicken wire.  I have a secure ark built on the same design as the arks used by crofters in Scotland.

You need to gather the eggs every day to prevent them getting trodden on when the hens return to lay. Also to stop the temptation for egg pecking.  

Eggs are self sealed and only go addled if the shell is cracked.  They remain safe to eat for months.  Eggs in shops are usually a few weeks old by the time the reach they go on sale.  But once you start eating your own eggs you will notice the difference.

Becareful about the pond because hens can be really stupid and if there is a way to endanger, hurt or kill themselves they will find it.  I once had a hen  run into the wire fencing and break her own neck.  Chickens need a constant supply of fresh clean water that is free from parasites,  not sure if a pond will provide that.

You will need to shut them up every night to prevent predation.  I don't know where you live but here in England I have to watch out for foxes, weasels, feral cats and birds of prey.  

With the eggs I have had to watch out for rats and squirrels attracted by the corn, both are not adverse to an egg for breakfast.  I've also had eggs stolen by magpies and crows.

You didn't say whether you were doing this for fun or profit.  Pure bred chickens are very expensive and don't lay as many eggs.  Commercial hybreds are more productive. You might consider buying ex battery hens, half my flock are Warrens that came from a commercial farm which only keeps them a few months.  They have years of laying left in them and once they grow their feathers back make a very attractive hen.

A word of warning, watching hens is more addictive than a fish tank. You go to collect the eggs and have a check round, start listening to them brucking an clucking while they scratch about and before you know it you've been stood there half an hour just watching them. If you aren't careful you start talking to them as well.  It is however extremely satisfying and relaxing.

I can highly reccomend keeping chickens, not just becuase you will never buy an egg as fresh and tasty as your own, but becuase they are fun to have about and theraputic to watch.  But.......you are taking on a big responsibility.  As in keeping any livestock you are responsible for their day to day care.  You can't take a day off and if you aren't there to do it yourself you need to make sure there is someone else who can do it for you.  

I've included the website for the Domestic Fowl Trust which is where I started. The two magazines are also very useful for finding equipment as well as providing information.

Good Luck

Answer 6

If the eggs are left in a coop; some hens my try to hatch them and sit over eggs. It is okay if they are hatched for a day or two. They are fit to eat for up to 4 days of hatching.

But, if hens have deficiency, they may try to open and eat the eggs. This may change in to habit.

Keeping watch for broken eggs will help you monitor your flock.

Surviving eggs will be fit for consumption.

Answer 7

it doesnt hurt the eggs,, its just so the hens dont break the eggs while moving around the boxes

Answer 8

The eggs will be safe to eat but you should check your chickens at least once a day, a lot of things can go wrong.

Answer 9

It is best if they are gathered the same day as if the hens are allowed to "set" on them they will start to develop inside.

Answer 10

Simple if u do not collect on the same day they will no t be fresh.

Answer 11

There seems to be disagreement on this question, so I'll add my $0.02. Missing an occasional day here or there is not a problem. The eggs will remain fresh. My experience is helping my grandparents on their farm. They raised eggs. On the rare occasions when they were gone, I was recruited to collect the eggs, among other things. On the even more rare occasion when they were gone, and I was not available, they would sit for a couple days. The eggs were fine.

Answer 12

No they last for several days. They just take a little less time to cook that way.