How to Check if Your Grass-Fed or Free-Range Eggs Are Still Fresh

If you love raising indigenous, free-range chickens and collecting those beautiful grass-fed eggs, you already know the joy of farm-fresh produce. But even the freshest eggs don’t last forever—especially when stored for long periods or during warm weather.

So, how can you tell if your farm eggs are still good to eat?
There’s one simple and reliable method you can try right at home: the water test.

Egg float test

🧪 The Simple Water Test for Egg Freshness

You don’t need fancy equipment—just a bowl of clean, cool water.

Here’s what to do:

1. Fill a bowl or container with cold water—deep enough to completely submerge an egg.

2. Gently place the egg into the water and watch what happens.

Now observe the result:

• 🟢 Egg sinks and lies flat on the bottom:
  ✅ This egg is very fresh and safe to eat.

• 🟡 Egg sinks but stands upright (tilts slightly):
  ⚠️ This egg is still safe, but it’s getting older. Use it soon or boil it first.

• 🔴 Egg floats to the top:
  ❌ This egg has gone bad—it’s best to throw it away.

🐔 Why Floating Eggs Mean They’re Spoiled

Over time, the inside of the egg slowly dries out through the shell (which is porous). As this happens, an air pocket forms inside the egg. The larger the pocket, the more buoyant the egg becomes.
When an egg floats, it means too much air has entered—a clear sign that bacteria may have started growing inside.

That’s why floating = spoiled.

🌿 Why Grass-Fed Eggs Are Special

Eggs from indigenous, free-range chickens are different from store-bought ones—and not just in taste!

Here’s why they stand out:

• Natural Diet: These hens roam freely, eating grass, seeds, and insects, which boosts the egg’s nutrient content.

• Richer Yolks: The yolks often appear deep yellow or golden, showing high levels of carotenoids and vitamins.

• Stronger Shells: Healthier diets and active lifestyles produce firmer, more resilient shells.

• No Synthetic Fertilizers or Hormones: Truly organic and wholesome—just the way nature intended.

🍳 How to Keep Your Farm Eggs Fresh Longer

To make your free-range eggs last, follow these simple tips:

1. Don’t wash them immediately.
   Freshly laid eggs have a natural protective coating (the bloom) that helps keep bacteria out. Only wash right before use.

2. Store in a cool place.
   Keep eggs in a cool, dry area—ideally below 20°C. In hotter climates, refrigeration is best.

3. Keep them pointed-end down.
   This reduces air pocket expansion and helps maintain freshness.

4. Use older eggs first.
   Practice the “first in, first out” rule—label your collection dates if possible.

🌻 The Bottom Line

Your grass-fed, free-range eggs are treasures of nature—packed with nutrition, color, and flavor.
Before using them, just do the float test:

• Sink = fresh and healthy,

• Float = time to discard.

Simple, quick, and effective—a small step that helps you make the most of your farm’s natural produce.