From Coop to Carton Without Messing It Up

You’ve made it. The chicks are grown, the hens are laying, and now you’ve got eggs showing up like clockwork.

So what do you do with them?

Cleaning Your Eggs
If the eggs are clean, don’t wash them. They’re coated in something called the bloom, which helps keep bacteria out.
If they’re dirty, rinse with warm water only. Not cold. Cold water pulls gunk into the egg through the shell.
Wipe them dry with a clean towel and refrigerate if you washed them.

Storing Eggs
If unwashed, you can keep them on the counter for up to two weeks.
If washed, store them in the fridge and use them within a couple of months.
Always store with the pointy end down. That helps the egg stay fresh longer.

Speaking of storing things
This is a tool I think every homestead should have: a good dehydrator.
We’ve owned this one for years. I remember my mom using it when I was five. Still works great.
Whether you’re drying herbs, fruit, jerky, or garden extras, it just gets the job done.
Here’s my affiliate link if you want to check it out. Buying through this is the best way to support the newsletter:
The best dehydrator for homesteading

Selling Eggs
Got more eggs than you can eat? Good.
Here’s how to keep it simple:

• Use clean cartons and a handwritten label with your farm name

• Stick with a flat price like $5 per dozen or whatever makes sense in your area

• Let people know how your birds are raised. Pasture-raised, hand-collected eggs sell themselves

You can sell from home, at a local market, or just to neighbors. Keep it honest and low stress.

Bonus Tip: Reuse Egg Cartons
Ask your buyers to bring back cartons. It cuts waste and saves money over time. Just make sure they’re clean before reusing.

Fun Fact
Fresh eggs sink. Old eggs float. If you’re unsure, drop the egg in a bowl of water. If it stands up or floats, skip it.

That wraps up this series. If you made it this far, you’ve gone from chick to fried egg with confidence, and hopefully a full basket too.

Next week, we’re shifting gears.
We’re diving into meat birds, how to raise chickens for the freezer, not just the skillet. From choosing the right breed to processing day, I’ll walk you through the whole thing, start to finish.

If you’ve ever thought about raising your own meat, or just want to see what it takes, stick around. It’s simpler than you’d think, and the results are worth it.

See you Tuesday,
- Tim Parker
Start My Homestead