The Big Debate: Refrigerate Farm Eggs or Not?

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Farm Fresh Organic Eggs In Nest - Back Porch Talkin' Country Exchange
Many folks have questioned to refrigerate farm-fresh eggs or not.  
The debate has gone on since the mid to late 1800's when rail cars were packed with ice to distribute eggs across the US.
As a matter of fact, "refrigerated eggs" were a hard sale.  Consumer's didn't want cold eggs. It just wasn't right, since they were brought up to eat straight from-the-nest or room temperature, farm-fresh eggs.

There's not really a set date in time when consumer's started refrigerating eggs, some folks say it was during the 40's & 50's when refrigerator manufacturers starting advertising their fang-dangled ice boxes with egg compartments built in, others say it was in the 70's, however in the mid 1990's it became "law" that all mass producers of over 3000 laying hens had to do so.

Read that line again, a mass producer of OVER 3,000 laying hens must refrigerate and wash eggs that are used for consumer consumption.  Who ever came up the this number, who knows. But that's another debate to ponder.  (You can read more on that subject here.)

Currently we have 38 laying hens with more coming to bring our flock up to 60. 
So by law we do not have to refrigerate nor wash our eggs.  However that isn't the reason why our organic eggs are not refrigerated.

I don't refrigerate or wash our eggs simply because nature never intended for eggs to be so. 

When an egg is laid, it comes out wet with a protective coating that drys under the warmth of the hen.  This protective layers prohibits any kind of bacteria from entering the 17,000+ pores of the egg shell.
Washing an egg removes the protective film, opening the pores, allowing the egg to be exposed to air-born bacteria.  This is the main reason why commercial growers must refrigerate eggs, because their eggs have been washed.  A washed egg is so much nicer to look at in a carton then one that has a little poo on it. 

And then there's the refrigeration part.  Ever notice that store bought eggs "sweat".  From the grocery store to your home, condensation has formed on the outside of the eggs and sometimes this happens while in the fridge.  Those little droplets of water are a sure sign that the egg's natural protective layer is gone. This is why store-bought eggs do not last as long at fresh-from-the-nest eggs.

There is no comparison between local farmers and mass commercial producers of eggs.
I don't care how much they spout-off that their eggs are organic.  How could they be?
Local farmers, such as Back Porch Talkin' Country Exchange, truly care about their laying hens.  They are part of the family farm.  Hec fire, what am I talking about...they are part of our family.

Our hens are a joy to us...they are loving sociable animals that are cared for each and every day with our hands and hearts.  Their home is located within 30 feet of our office here on the farm.
It is an absolute joy for us to see them wander about in the yard, listen to them shout to the world that another egg has been laid and an honor to reach under a hen to find another beautiful creation, that feeds our family, friends, and neighbors. 

It's a partnership between us and them.  We provide them with a happy, safe, and clean environment with plenty of fresh food, water, herbs and natural treats; in return they give us a true miracle of nature.

So why in the world would I want to ruin it? 
However the choice is still up to you to refrigerate farm fresh eggs or not. 
As the old saying goes, some habits are just too hard to break.

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