Chicken Eggs Freezing in Winter and How to Prevent It
If you’re a chicken keeper who lives somewhere cold, you might be wondering how in the world to stop chicken eggs freezing. I can relate, so I researched the issue, tried some things out, and here’s what worked.
In this article, I’ll share the inside scoop for how to keep chicken eggs from freezing in the coop. I’ll also answer some common questions about frozen chicken eggs and give a few tips for keeping chickens in winter.
How to Keep Chicken Eggs From Freezing in the Coop
It’s time to say goodbye to those chicken eggs freezing in the coop! In 4 simple steps, you can work towards solving this issue. To prevent frozen chicken eggs, here’s what you can do:
- Check nesting box location.
- Insulate nesting box and coop.
- Collect eggs regularly.
- Know how to store chicken eggs.
Check Nesting Box Location
While this may not be the easiest thing to tackle, the nesting box location is really important and can make a huge difference.
If your chicken coop can get total exposure to the sun with nesting boxes facing east, the boxes can get warmed up during sunrise. This will help eggs stay warm throughout the day and into the evening as well.
Additionally, if you have nesting boxes outside the coop, consider moving them inside.
Insulate Nesting Box and Coop
One excellent way to fight chicken eggs freezing is by insulating nesting boxes and the coop. Did you know when a hen lays eggs, the eggs are pretty warm? In fact, they’re almost 100 degrees! So, they stay warm for a bit, and insulation will keep them warm even longer.
To insulate a nesting box, you can use a thick layer of straw. Straw retains heat better than hay. You can also place fabric around the nesting box.
Along with insulating the nesting box, you can also insulate the coop. This helps with keeping your chickens warm during winter, too. Cardboard around the coop walls or reflective insulation like this can do the trick.
Interested in learning more about preparing your coop for cold weather? Check out this article!
Collect Eggs Regularly
This is probably the easiest way to avoid frozen chicken eggs if you have the time. If you can, collect eggs regularly when it’s cold out. This way, you can ensure they’re not out long enough to freeze. As mentioned, freshly laid eggs are warm, so you’ve got a little bit of time.
Know How to Store Chicken Eggs
Once you collect your eggs, make sure you store them properly. Usually, you can store fresh eggs at room temperature for a couple of weeks because there’s a coating on them that keeps bacteria from entering the egg. However, when eggs are cold to the touch, they form condensation as they warm back up, affecting the coating.
To prevent them from building condensation and bacteria entering the egg, store them in the refrigerator if they’re cold when you collect them. Then, you can wash them when you’re ready to prepare your eggs.
Check out this fun reusable egg carton!
Chicken Eggs Freezing FAQ
Hopefully, you feel more confident about how to keep chicken eggs from freezing in the coop, but let’s go ahead and get answers to some common questions!
Are fresh eggs still good if they freeze?
Yes and no. According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), you shouldn’t intentionally freeze eggs before eating them. However, if they accidentally freeze, you can do one of two things. Either use them immediately after thawing them in the refrigerator or keep them frozen until you’re ready to refrigerate and use them.
Are frozen chicken eggs ok to eat?
Again, yes and no. As mentioned above, if you allow frozen chicken eggs to thaw in the refrigerator, it’s perfectly fine to eat them if you do so soon after they’re thawed. However, I wouldn’t let them stay thawed for a few days, then eat them.
What temperature is too cold for chicken eggs?
Since several factors play a role in how quickly eggs will freeze, this varies. If the temperature gets close to freezing (32 °F), you need to be thinking about chicken eggs freezing.
With that said, they can be okay in cold temperatures if your nesting boxes are in the sun, you collect eggs before they have time to freeze, if there’s insulation, etc.
How do I keep my eggs from freezing in the coop?
So, let’s make sure we keep those fresh eggs good and ready to eat and get a quick rundown for how to keep chicken eggs from freezing in the coop.
If possible, place the nesting box(es) in a sunny location. Insulate nesting box and coop with straw and reflective insulation. Collect eggs regularly – the more often, the better! And, if your eggs do freeze, don’t worry. Simply place them in the refrigerator and enjoy them as soon as they’re thawed.
You might also be interested in reading: Why Do Chickens Eat Their Eggs (& How to Stop It)
