Raising chickens in your backyard has become increasingly popular over the past few years As someone who’s been raising my own flock for nearly a decade, I can tell you there’s nothing quite like collecting fresh eggs each morning But if you’re new to this whole backyard chicken thing, you might be wondering are backyard chicken eggs safe to eat?
The short answer is absolutely YES – backyard chicken eggs are generally just as safe as store-bought eggs, and many would argue they’re even safer and definitely more nutritious! However, there are some important things to know about handling and storing your eggs properly
Why Backyard Eggs Are Worth It
Before diving into safety specifics let’s talk about why so many people (including me!) love backyard eggs
- Superior taste – Most people can immediately tell the difference between a fresh backyard egg and a commercial egg
- Better nutrition – Studies show free-range backyard eggs contain more nutrients than commercial eggs
- Peace of mind – You know exactly how your chickens are treated and what they eat
- Cost savings – Once established, a small flock can provide eggs for less than store prices
- Connection to food – There’s something deeply satisfying about producing your own food
Backyard vs. Commercial Eggs: The Nutritional Difference
According to research by Mother Earth News, compared to commercially-produced eggs from caged hens, eggs from free-range backyard chickens typically contain:
| Nutrient | Advantage in Backyard Eggs |
|---|---|
| Saturated fat | 25% less |
| Cholesterol | 33% less |
| Vitamin E | 3 times more |
| Beta carotene | 7 times more |
| Omega-3 fatty acids | 2 times more |
| Vitamin A | 66% more |
That’s a pretty impressive nutritional difference! As someone who cares about what goes into my family’s bodies, this alone is enough reason for me to maintain our backyard flock.
Understanding Salmonella Risk in Eggs
Let’s address the elephant in the room – Salmonella. This is the bacteria most people worry about with eggs, and for good reason. According to the FDA, approximately 79,000 cases of food poisoning each year are caused by eggs contaminated with Salmonella.
However, let’s put that in perspective. Americans consume somewhere between 83-95 BILLION eggs annually. That makes the risk incredibly small on a per-egg basis.
The risk with backyard eggs specifically can be even lower when proper care is taken, because:
- Backyard hens generally have more space and better living conditions
- You control what your chickens eat
- You handle collection, cleaning, and storage yourself
- Your eggs don’t go through commercial processing facilities
That said, no egg is 100% risk-free. There are two main ways eggs can become contaminated:
- External contamination – Bacteria on the shell from chicken droppings or environment
- Internal contamination – Bacteria inside the egg from an infected hen’s ovaries
How to Keep Your Backyard Eggs Safe
Here are my tried-and-true methods for ensuring the safety of eggs from my backyard flock:
1. Maintain a Clean Coop Environment
- Clean nesting boxes regularly (I do this weekly)
- Replace bedding when soiled
- Ensure good ventilation in the coop
- Keep food and water clean and fresh
- Provide enough space for your chickens (overcrowding = more mess)
2. Monitor Your Chickens’ Health
Healthy chickens = healthy eggs. Simple as that! Keep an eye out for:
- Changes in behavior or appetite
- Unusual droppings
- Signs of respiratory issues
- Decreased egg production
- Abnormal eggs (very soft shells, strange shapes, etc.)
If you notice anything concerning, consult with a veterinarian familiar with poultry.
3. Collect Eggs Frequently
I collect eggs at least once daily, preferably in the morning. This reduces the time eggs spend exposed to potential contaminants in the nest box. During summer months when it’s hot, I sometimes collect twice daily.
4. Handle Eggs Properly After Collection
There’s actually some debate about whether to wash backyard eggs. Here’s my take:
To wash or not to wash? Fresh-laid eggs have a natural protective coating called the “bloom” that helps seal the porous shell against bacteria. Washing removes this protective layer.
My approach:
- If eggs are clean, I don’t wash them until right before use
- If eggs have visible dirt or droppings, I gently clean them with a dry cloth first
- If they need washing, I use warm water (about 90°F) – cold water can cause the contents to contract and potentially draw bacteria through the shell
- I never soak eggs in water
5. Store Eggs Correctly
- Store pointed-end down to keep the yolk centered and maintain freshness
- Use an egg carton or special egg holder
- For unwashed eggs with bloom intact, cool room temperature (50-70°F) storage works for 2-3 weeks
- For washed eggs, refrigeration is necessary (under 45°F)
- Keep eggs away from strong-smelling foods as shells are porous
Testing Egg Freshness
Not sure if your backyard eggs are still good? Here’s a simple test I use:
- Fill a bowl with cold water
- Gently place the egg in the water
- If it sinks and lays flat, it’s very fresh
- If it stands upright on the bottom, it’s still good but older
- If it floats, it’s too old and should be discarded
This works because as eggs age, the air cell inside grows larger, increasing buoyancy.
Special Considerations
Legal Aspects
If you’re planning to sell your backyard eggs, check local regulations first. Many areas have specific requirements regarding:
- Permits and licenses
- Egg grading
- Labeling
- Refrigeration
- Sales locations
Even if you’re just giving eggs to neighbors or friends, it’s good to know your local laws.
Who Should Exercise Extra Caution
While backyard eggs are generally safe, certain people should be especially careful:
- Pregnant women
- Young children
- Elderly individuals
- People with compromised immune systems
For these individuals, I recommend always thoroughly cooking eggs (no runny yolks) and being extra vigilant about egg handling and storage.
My Personal Experience
I’ve been raising chickens and eating their eggs for years without any issues. My family of four goes through about 2 dozen eggs per week, and we’ve never experienced food poisoning from our eggs.
We do follow all the safety practices I’ve outlined above, and I believe that’s why we’ve had such a positive experience. My chickens are healthy, have plenty of space to roam, eat a varied diet of quality feed plus kitchen scraps and foraged insects/plants, and we handle their eggs with care.
The taste difference alone makes it all worthwhile! Store-bought eggs now taste bland and watery to me compared to our rich, orange-yolked backyard eggs.
Final Thoughts
Backyard chicken eggs are not only safe to eat but often superior to commercial eggs in terms of freshness, taste, and nutrition. By following proper hygiene and handling practices, you can minimize any risk of foodborne illness.
The small effort required to maintain clean conditions and handle eggs properly is more than worth it for the delicious, nutritious eggs you’ll enjoy. If you’re on the fence about starting a backyard flock, I say go for it! Just remember that chickens are living creatures that require daily care and commitment.
Do you have backyard chickens or are you thinking about getting some? What other questions do you have about egg safety? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!
Disclaimer: While I’ve shared my personal experience and research, I’m not a veterinarian or food safety expert. When in doubt about egg safety or chicken health, consult with professionals in your area.
Food safety checklist for farm fresh eggs
- Collect or pick eggs two to three times a day.
- Discard eggs with broken or cracked shells.
- Clean shells using a dry cleaning method such as fine sandpaper, a brush or emery cloth. Do not use rags or sponges to scrub the eggs.
- Wet cleaning must meet water and egg temperature requirements. Eggs must be spray-rinsed with a sanitizing agent (Minnesota Statutes 29, Rules 1520).
- Keep eggs dry. If shell gets wet, bacteria can pass through the shell.
- Wash hands with soap and warm water before and after cleaning eggs.
- The chicken house is clean and dry. Floor litter is in good condition.
- Nests are cleaned once a week and nesting materials are replaced.
- A perch is mounted away from the nest to allow birds to sleep. Place a wire-mesh box under the perch to collect feces.
- There is a plan to control Salmonella carriers such as rodents, flies, beetles, wild birds and cats.
- Feed is stored to prevent contamination.
- Feeding and watering equipment cleaned in a sink other than the kitchen sink.
- Look for defects inside the shell by holding the egg up to a bright light. (Done by the egg producer or by the purchaser.)
- Discard eggs with abnormal shape, spots, cracks or other irregularities.
- After candling, eggs that are clean and well-shaped with no evidence of defects, meet USDA Grade AA quality standard if less than 15 days old. After 15 days without temperature and humidity control, the quality decreases to Grade A. After 30 days, egg quality decreases to Grade B. Eggs older than 30 days cannot be sold.
| Size | Weight per dozen |
|---|---|
| Jumbo | 30 oz. |
| Extra large | 27 oz. |
| Large | 24 oz. |
| Medium | 21 oz. |
| Small | 18 oz. |
- Fiber egg cartons can be reused if they are clean. Remove prior packing information from the label. Blacken out the dates, the packers name and contact information with a permanent marker.
- Label egg cartons and/or flat cases with:
- Grade and size of the eggs
- Name, address and zip code of the farmer, egg producer or individual selling the eggs.
- A package date in Julian calendar (or ordinal date) format. A Julian date is a combination of the current year and the number of days since the beginning of the year. For example, January 1, 2021 is represented as 2021001 and December 31, 2021 is represented as 2021365.
- Freshness date not to exceed 30 days from the date of packaging.
- Safe handling instructions: “To prevent illness from bacteria: keep eggs refrigerated, cook eggs until yolks are firm, and cook foods containing eggs thoroughly.”
- Refrigerate eggs at 45 degrees F or less after grading.
- Keep eggs in the carton. Store in the coldest part of your refrigerator away from fresh fruits and vegetables.
- Inspect eggs. Do not use if shell is cracked.
- Check cartons pack date. Eggs have a shelf life of four to five weeks from pack date.
- Crack eggs into bowl before using. Throw away if you see any defects. According to the American Egg Board, a blood spot found on an egg yolk is most often a ruptured blood vessel which happens during the yolk formation. Eggs with blood spots are safe to eat. You can remove the spot with a spoon or knife.
- Wash hands, utensils and equipment with hot, soapy water after contact with eggs.
- Never eat raw eggs. Outbreaks for Salmonella illnesses have been associated with undercooked egg whites and yolks.
- To avoid illness, cook eggs until yolks are firm. Cook foods containing eggs to 160 degrees F as measured by a food thermometer.
- Throw away raw or cooked eggs left at room temperature for more than two hours.
- Bunning, M. (2010). Home-Produced Chicken Eggs. Colorado State University Extension. Fact sheet No. 9.337.
- Minnesota Department of Agriculture, the Minnesota Department of Health, and University of Minnesota Extension. Sale of locally raised eggs to food facilities.
Suzanne Driessen, Extension educator
Are Backyard Chicken Eggs Safe To Eat?
FAQ
Are backyard chicken eggs healthy?
According to the study, backyard chicken eggs contain lower levels of cholesterol and fat. Also, there are higher levels of Vitamin A, D, E, omega-3’s, and beta carotene. Some crucial specifics about backyard chicken eggs reported by the study:
Can you eat backyard chicken eggs?
Backyard chicken eggs are as safe to eat as shop bought eggs. In fact, most chicken owners are more comfortable with their own eggs as they know how their chickens are treated. There is always a small risk of bacteria, such as salmonella, but under the right conditions, it’s minimal. Can You Eat Backyard Chickens’ Eggs? Absolutely!
Are backyard chickens healthy?
Backyard Chickens provide farm-fresh eggs but can host diseases affecting health and egg quality. Salmonella can contaminate eggs even if hens appear healthy; proper cooking and hygiene are essential. Egg Drop Syndrome causes hens to lay fewer, thin-shelled eggs; maintaining space and cleanliness can prevent it.
Are backyard chickens safe to eat?
Backyard chickens that are healthy and well-cared-for typically produce eggs that are safe for human consumption. Ensuring that your chickens are fed a balanced diet, have access to clean water, and live in a clean environment can significantly reduce health risks. However, it is important to exercise caution regarding potential contaminants.
Are backyard eggs safe to eat?
Embrace the joy that comes from raising hens and eating fresh eggs, while also ensuring that food safety remains a priority. With the right approach and diligence, backyard eggs can be a delightful addition to your culinary endeavors, providing nourishment and peace of mind for you and your family.
Are backyard chicken eggs dangerous?
Two of the most significant risks associated with backyard chicken eggs are Salmonella and E. coli. According to a study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), between 2010 and 2015, there were over 20 reported outbreaks of human illness linked to backyard chickens in the United States alone.
Is it safe to eat my neighbor’s chicken eggs?
Yes, eggs from your friend’s chickens are generally safe to eat right away, provided they have been handled properly. Here are a few things to consider: Freshness: Check the lay date if possible. Fresh eggs are best consumed within a few weeks. Cleanliness: Ensure the eggs are clean and free from dirt or feces.
Is it safe to buy eggs from backyard chickens?
- Salmonella: One of the primary concerns with backyard eggs is the risk of Salmonella contamination. Chickens can carry Salmonella bacteria, which can be transmitted to the eggs. To reduce this risk: – Ensure chickens are healthy and vaccinated if possible.
- Egg Quality: Backyard chickens may not always lay eggs that
How to avoid salmonella with backyard chickens?