Procedure - Collection of Eggs

Section: Human Resource Procedures 
Procedure Owner: Ignition633 Ministries Nigeria Human Resources 
Procedure Name: Collection of Eggs
Origination Date: August 2024 

Purpose
To ensure the timely and hygienic gathering of eggs to maximize their quality, freshness, and safety for consumption or hatching. Regular and proper egg collection helps prevent damage, contamination, or spoilage, and it also minimizes the risk of eggs being soiled or infected by bacteria. 

Scope
Includes establishing a routine schedule for gathering eggs, typically multiple times a day, to reduce the time eggs spend in the nest, where they could be exposed to dirt, bacteria, or damage. It also involves using clean hands or gloves during collection, inspecting eggs for cracks or defects, and properly storing them in a clean, cool environment to maintain their quality. 

Definition
Collection:  act of gathering or bringing together items, objects, or data from different sources or locations into one place.
Eggs:  reproductive cells produced by female birds, reptiles, amphibians, and some fish, often encased in a protective shell.        

Collect Fresh Eggs
Eggs are to be picked up early in the morning and in the evening at 4 pm or 5 pm. Allowing eggs to sit overnight in nest boxes often results in poop-stained or broken eggs. Some hens prefer to roost on the edges of the nest boxes or even in them. In any case, missing a day of egg collecting usually requires much more work.

Cleaning after Collection
There are two basic methods of cleaning chicken eggs:

Dry cleaning: This method is preferred for eggs that will be hatched. It is done using paper towels or tissue to wipe the egg's surface. Dry cleaning is preferred over wet cleaning because it leaves the eggs' natural antibacterial protective layer, called bloom, intact.
Wet cleaning: When eggs are intended for consumption, the wet cleaning method is used.

Note: Fertilized eggs (eggs that will be hatched) should not be put in water.

Storing Eggs

Egg Storage
Once your eggs are clean and dry, package them in egg crates and label the crates with the date the eggs were collected. Consumption eggs can be stored in the refrigerator, while fertilized eggs are stored in a cool, dry, dark place with its head pointing down.

Testing Freshness
There are two methods of testing for freshness in eggs. The first method is by gently shaking the egg and listening for the content of the egg. If it sounds like water, then it means that the egg is going bad. A good egg should not make any sound at all when shaken.

Another method that can be used is the float test. Place the eggs in a bowl full of water. If an egg floats, it has too big an air pocket inside the shell, which means the contents have evaporated too much, and the egg has likely spoiled. You can compost it. You can also use a strong light to see through the shell for the content of the egg.