0086-13838389622Poultry Industry Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the best way to store eggs?
The best place for an egg is in its carton on an inside refrigerator shelf. The carton’s sponginess insulates the egg from jolts which can cause cracks. The carton also helps to prevent the loss of moisture and carbon dioxide to maintain quality, maintain the proper egg temperature, and keep the egg from absorbing undesirable refrigerator odors and food flavors.
What is the maximum storage temperature under which eggs should be stored?
45 degree Fahrenheit
What are free-range eggs?
Free-range eggs are from hens that live outdoors or have access to the outdoors. Modifications for seasonal variations are acceptable. The nutrient content of eggs from free-range hens is the same as those from hens housed in production facilities with cages.
Do egg laying hens receive hormones?
Egg laying hens are not given hormones. Some egg cartons say that the eggs are hormone free; however, this is true for all eggs in commercial egg production in the United States.
What does antibiotic free mean?
Antibiotic-free claims on egg cartons can be only be made by egg producers who choose not to use any antibiotics in feed or water during the growing period of pullets or while hens are laying eggs. Flocks producing certified organic eggs must be antibiotic free by regulation. Flocks producing conventional eggs may use FDA approved antibiotics and must comply with FDA levels of use and other restrictions. FDA regulations assure that antibiotic residues do not occur in the egg itself.
Eggs from hens treated with antibiotics cannot be classified as antibiotic-free, but the eggs themselves do not contain antibiotic residues. The list of antibiotics allowed by FDA for use in egg laying flocks is quite small, only three. Also, it is estimated that only a small percentage of laying flocks producing conventional eggs ever receive antibiotics due to use of effective vaccines and other management practices which minimize the need for antibiotics to treat illness.
If any egg laying flock does receive an antibiotic, it is usually under the supervision of a veterinarian and only for a short period of time to treat a specific disease outbreak or for prevention of a recurring disease on that farm.
What does Grade A mean?
Eggs are graded based on their quality and appearance. Grade AA eggs have thick, firm whites and high, round yolks. Their shells are clean and unbroken. Grade A eggs are like Grade AA, but their whites are “reasonably” firm. Grade A eggs are usually sold in stores. Grade B eggs have thin whites and wider yolks. The shells are unbroken, but might show slight stains.
How are eggs packed?
An egg is placed in the carton with the large end up. This helps keep the air cell in place and the yolk centered. During the packing process, eggs are separated by size. The minimum weights per dozen are: Jumbo (30 ounces); Extra Large (27 ounces); Large (24 ounces); Medium (21 ounces); Small (18 ounces); and Pee Wee (15 ounces).
How do you tell if an egg is hard-cooked or raw?
Spin it! If the egg spins easily, it is hard-cooked. If the egg wobbles, it is raw.
Are the eggs I buy at my local supermarket fertile?
The eggs sold at grocery stores are unfertilized eggs. The hens that lay these eggs will never see a rooster in their lifetime. Fertilized eggs are not common although they are available at some specialty stores.
How many eggs does a hen lay in a year?
The average number of eggs laid by a hen in a year is 259. A hen starts laying eggs at 19 weeks of age. As a hen grows older, she produces larger eggs.