Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
When you return from the coop, you will need to clean your eggs. Submerging them in cold
water will actually push bacteria through to the egg, so it is better to dry clean your egg. To do
this, sanitize a sponge or washcloth and blot and rub the outside of the egg to remove dirt and
feces. If the egg is just too messy to clean in this manner, you will need to use water, prefer-
ably running water. Use warm water and rinse the egg well using your sponge or washcloth
and sanitizer. Set the eggs out to dry in a wire or mesh basket, or dry them with a paper towel.
Next, put the eggs in a carton or crate (or whatever you choose to keep them in) and label
with a date. Put them in your refrigerator to maintain freshness. Eggs are good for about three
weeks when stored in the fridge, as they are chemical-free and do not have hormones or pre-
servatives to extend their shelf life.
Selling eggs
You may find you have more eggs than you know what to do with, even when eating them at
every meal. Selling your extra eggs may be an option. First, check with your local county ex-
tension office to see whether any laws regulate the sale of eggs in your area. Find your office
by searching the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (
www.nifa.usda.gov
)
. This web-
site has information on the laws and regulations concerning agriculture in your community.
The local extension office page has a map. Just click on your state to find the branch nearest
you.
You can sell your eggs at a local farmer's market or flea market. If your city allows, you also
could set up a table in front of your house with a large sign promoting homegrown eggs. For
an inexpensive way to advertise your eggs, put an ad in your newspaper's classified section.
Craigslist (
www.craigslist.org
) is another great way to advertise free. Selling eggs from home
is an easy and fun way to make some extra cash. You can even put them in decorative cartons
or baskets.
Always make sure the eggs are clean and free of any chicken droppings or feces. Also, make
sure the eggs are whole and not cracked. Do not sell old or questionable eggs because people
can get very sick from contaminated eggs. If you are unsure of the quality of an egg, throw it
out.
Spring and summer offer more opportunities to sell eggs outside the perimeters of your home.
When the weather is warm, many communities get together and have multiple family yard
sales. This is a great place to catch a flow of people in a shopping mood. Most people who at-
