The Poultry Keeper

Squidge · Joined: 17 Dec 2007 Posts: 269 Location: Folkestone, Kent

I thought my hens had stopped laying due to the moult. Wrong!! I have just found a secret nest in an almost inaccessible place stuffed to the brim with beautiful eggs. I suppose I am going to have to throw them all away now as I don't know how long they've been there and there's no way of telling is there? Just out of curiosity I put them all into a deep jug full of water to see if they sank or floated. They all sank like stones so does that mean they're really fresh or old and solidified?? I guess the latter. I'm not going to attempt to use them I just wondered if there is any way of telling if they're past it apart from the smell when you break them. If they don't smell does that mean they are OK?

kated · Joined: 01 Nov 2006 Posts: 2089 Location: norfolk

I would use them in cooking. Breaking each one into an empty bowl before use. They'll be fine in cakes, quiches etc.

NannyP · Posted: Mon Aug 18, 2008 6:00 pm Post subject:

Sounds like there at least as fresh as those you'll find in the shops.

As Kated says, use them to cook with Very Happy

Alternatively, (thanks Henwife) scramble them up plus scrunched up shells, and feed them back to your hens....don't waste good protein.

jaydee67 · Posted: Mon Aug 18, 2008 6:09 pm Post subject:

old eggs float as the water inside evaporates and the air sac gets bigger

Squidge · Joined: 17 Dec 2007 Posts: 269 Location: Folkestone, Kent

Thanks everyone. Trouble is I don't really cook as I have to keep the weight down. I'll probably feed them back. What would happen if I put them under my very very broody hen have they been cold too long?

NannyP · Posted: Mon Aug 18, 2008 6:28 pm Post subject:

They're meant to be cold...hens build up a clutch, before then sitting to brood.

So you could put some under your broody and see what happens....what is there to lose?

Squidge · Joined: 17 Dec 2007 Posts: 269 Location: Folkestone, Kent

Just a quick update. Found two more secret nests with over 30 eggs! All again sank like stones so I took the bull by the horns and had four scrambled and they were fantastic. Thanks Nanny P, I didn't know that. Can you tell me how many eggs can a hen sit on comfortably?

Henwife · Joined: 31 Jan 2006 Posts: 3540 Location: Monmouthshire

I always expect a hen to sit on a dozen eggs of the size she lays.