However, leaving feces on the exteriors of their eggs could increase the incidence of infection from feces among their customers. When eggs are cleaned using water the protective bloom is removed.īackyard eggs producers are not required to clean eggs before selling them. It seals the pores in the egg’s shell to help block bacterial infection. The bloom is a gelatinous outer layer that dries after a hen lays an egg. Eggs naturally have a protective bloom that prevents bacteria from entering. Collect eggs only from nests and discard eggs that have fallen on the ground.Ĭleaning eggs is a tricky business.Eggs with broken or cracked shells should be discarded.Eggs should be collected at least once a day, but ideally, two to three times a day to ensure they are fresh, intact and haven’t come into contact with additional feces or bacteria after they’ve been laid.Providing hens with supplemental calcium can prevent eggs from cracking.Īpplying good management strategies when collecting eggs can also help limit the transmission of contaminants and ensure the quality of eggs.Egg-producing hens should all be healthy and separated from any sick or presumed sick birds.Control methods should be in place for rodents, flies, beetles, birds and cats because all of these animals can spread Salmonella.Feeding and watering equipment should be kept clean.

A perch for chickens to sleep on should be mounted away from the nests to limit feces in the nesting area.Producers should provide a minimum of one nest per every four hens.The coop should be clean and dry with litter that is in good condition.

Living conditions of hensĮnsuring quality eggs that are safe for human consumption starts with good nesting conditions for hens. It just means it’s a good idea to understand good handling practices to ensure food safety when buying or selling farm fresh eggs. This doesn’t necessarily mean it’s unsafe to buy eggs from your neighbor, a house with a hand-painted sign or the hobby farm down the road. That means Ohio Department of Agriculture Registration and a Retail Food Establishment License from a local health department are not required and labeling regulations and refrigeration requirements do not apply to backyard egg sellers. Ohio law contains requirements for licensing and registration of egg marketing activities and labeling and refrigeration of marketed eggs however, they don’t apply to those with fewer than 500 birds selling only eggs direct to consumers on the premises where the eggs were produced.

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