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Egg baskets, cartons, books and chicken gifts

Egg collection baskets, cartons, skelters, egg scales, cleaning brushes, chicken-keeping books and gifts for chicken lovers.

Best egg cartonsEgg skeltersGifts for chicken loversEgg freshness and washingHow to sell eggs
A dozen backyard eggs in shades of brown, cream and green in a paper carton
Photo: observing life, CC BY 2.0, via Flickr
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Collecting, storing and sharing your eggs

Collect eggs at least once a day, more often in hot or freezing weather, so they stay clean and do not crack. A coated wire basket lets air reach the eggs and rinses clean; an egg apron frees your hands when you also carry feed. Clean nest boxes make clean eggs, so most cleaning happens before you ever pick one up.

On the counter, a skelter rolls the oldest egg to the front so you use eggs in order. In the US, eggs that have been washed or refrigerated should stay refrigerated (USDA FSIS). If you keep unwashed eggs on the counter, use them first and refrigerate any you wash.

Cartons, scales and gear for sharing eggs

Pulp cartons come in 12-count and 3 x 4 styles and in packs from 15 to 200. If you give eggs away or sell them, many states require clean cartons, a label with your name and address, and refrigeration; some ban reusing another brand's printed cartons. An egg scale such as the Kuhl Jiffy-Way or a digital kitchen scale sorts eggs by size grade.

Egg rules vary by stateWashing, refrigeration, labeling and sales rules for small flocks depend on your state. Check your state department of agriculture before selling, and see how to sell eggs locally and selling eggs.

Books and gifts for chicken keepers

A good reference book answers the 2 a.m. questions. Storey's Guide to Raising Chickens covers housing, feeding and health in depth; The Chicken Chick's Guide and Chickens in Your Backyard are friendly beginner reads; A Kid's Guide to Keeping Chickens suits young helpers. For gifts, think practical: a wire basket, a skelter or an egg apron gets used every day.

Read before you buy

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Eggs, books & gifts: questions

Do fresh eggs need to be refrigerated?
In the US, eggs that have been washed or chilled should stay refrigerated (USDA FSIS). Unwashed eggs keep their protective bloom; see egg freshness and washing.
Should I wash fresh eggs?
Only if they are dirty, and then with water warmer than the egg, followed by refrigeration. Clean nest boxes mean fewer eggs need washing.
Can I reuse store egg cartons?
For your own kitchen, yes. Many states do not allow reusing branded cartons for eggs you sell, so use blank cartons for sales.
What is an egg skelter?
A spiral rack that holds eggs in a line so the oldest rolls to the front, which helps you use eggs first-in, first-out.
What is a good gift for a new chicken keeper?
An egg basket, a skelter, a reference book or a coop camera. Our gift list has more.