Organic eggs and refrigeration?

[strmis]

Do organic eggs (got them from the farmers market) need refrigeration? My mom bought them, so i didnt get to talk to the farmer.  Should I stick them in the fridge now?

we have had some out for a couple days, it hasnt been COLD int he room (we're in california) but not hot either.  

think they are safe to eat? from what i've seen on mercola he says the don't need to be in the fridge. 

Am i being paranoid? BTW.. I am also a few weeks pregnant and nursing (if any of that makes a difference)

[cristeen]

If the eggs have been washed and refrigerated prior to purchase (like factory farmed eggs), then you'd want to refrigerate them.  Most farmers I know don't have the time, space or inclination to do those things to their eggs.  In which case it's perfectly safe to leave them on the counter.

It wasn't so long ago that eggs were sold off the shelf in the grocery store.  And in other countries they still are.  Refrigeration become mandatory when I was a kid, up until then nobody even considered refrigerating eggs. 

[Addie]

Originally Posted by cristeen 

It wasn't so long ago that eggs were sold off the shelf in the grocery store.  And in other countries they still are.  Refrigeration become mandatory when I was a kid, up until then nobody even considered refrigerating eggs. 

I rarely saw refrigerated eggs when I traveled/lived abroad (in Europe and elsewhere). If you buy the eggs refrigerated, it's a good idea to keep them that way. Still, I tend to keep them in the fridge, because I have the room.

[Chicky2]

I only refrigerate mine when I am saving a whole bunch (like 40 or so) for boiling.  Otherwise I keep them in the egg collection basket on my kitchen counter (even in the hot TX summer when our house is around 80 degrees F).  We also only wash if they are really nasty (if you ever own chickens you will see what I mean), or if they are our duck or guinea eggs (because they really like to hide their nests).  If I wash it, I either use it that day or refrigerate it for use w/in a few days.  And I always wash w/water that is warmer than the egg to prevent the bacteria from passing thru the shell.

[strmis]

so, i looked at the paper in them. bought at the farmers market, but says they are grade A and USDA certified organic . what does that mean?

well, i ate two today (poached). hope they're okay!

[elisheva]

We haven't been keeping chickens that long (since July) but many of our eggs have tell-tale skid marks. I'm in the habit of washing them and refrigerating them because we always use them within two days anyway. BUT, wouldn't unwashed eggs bought at a farmers market bear the same marks mine do? I would imagine this would be off-putting to customers and the eggs would be washed...just my $0.02. I'd refrigerate anything I bought.

[Chicky2]

Yeah, you really don't know for sure.  Unless you know the farmer personally, or they are your own chickens, I might be hesitant to assume they were unwashed just because they are not from a grocery store.

OP, I'm sure the ones you ate were fine.  I'm just glad I can have my own chickens.