What is ‘Bloom?’
Bloom is the natural protective shell coating provided by a laying hen. We elect to leave the bloom intact for multiple reasons. Eggs that have been washed have a much shorter shelf life, and require refrigeration. If you decided washing eggs is for you, give the article below a read.
Contraction of foodborne illness is often a result of poor coop hygiene. A buildup of feces in the nesting areas is one major cause. One way to combat the likelihood of salmonella is to keep your chickens from living in their own filth. This is why our hens are ‘pasture raised.’ More on this subject below.
https://chickenwhisperermagazine.com/nutrition/all-about-the-bloom
Washed vs unwashed eggs.
Water is a superhighway for bacterial movement. Almost always, commercially produced eggs have been washed in water and a form of detergent. Sterile foods are generally accepted to be detrimental to gut health. We are believers in live foods.
What does ‘pasture raised’ mean?
Cage free, free range, pasture raised. What does it all mean? The USDA does not regulate these definitions. Cage free hens may never see a patch of dirt or natural sunlight. Free range, at the end of the day, may or may not be more humane. Hens may still never see the outdoors. And at the end of all of this, ‘Pasture Raised’ doesn’t appear to be a USDA regulated term. It does, however, carry a connotation that each hen is allotted 108 square feet of pasture. Our hens have access to ample space!
At Old Trails Eggs, our goal is to generate manure, amend our soil, and provide the best eggs we possibly can. Our hens are as close to the traditional sense of ‘pasture raised’ as we currently have the means to provide. We are not deceptive in our practices, and welcome the customer to view our photos. That being said, we have a predator problem, and hens do not enjoy being harassed by our coyote adversaries.
How long can I leave out my farm fresh eggs?
Common practice around our house is to hard-boil eggs at the two week mark of being at room temperature. But, storage conditions and other factors lead to the appropriate shelf life. If you are unsure if your eggs are still ‘fresh’ simply float them in water. Sinkers are still good. Floaters are past their prime! Check out the link below for an extrapolated article on how to put an egg in water.
https://www.thepioneerwoman.com/food-cooking/cooking-tips-tutorials/a32415535/egg-float-water-test/
Old Trails Eggs 