[Dizzycow]

Phew, was having a panic there.

I've heard lots of people tell me that they, or someone they know, has incubated free range eggs (both duck and chicken) from delis, dobbies, fishmongers, butchers, places like that, and had hatchings. I've also never heard that eggs mustn't be refrigerated, surely that can't be a law?

[Oneeyedhen]

Lovin' the replies! Thanks, I'll stop stressing about where and what 'Brian' gets up too. He is usually content to stay with his own 4 girls

[darkbrowneggs]

Yes DBE, the last thing you want is a customer complaining that they cracked an egg open and there seemed to be a little chick inside.

I like folk who buy my eggs to find little chicks inside,  but I prefer the chicks to crack open the shells 

[darkbrowneggs]

Phew, was having a panic there.

I've heard lots of people tell me that they, or someone they know, has incubated free range eggs (both duck and chicken) from delis, dobbies, fishmongers, butchers, places like that, and had hatchings. I've also never heard that eggs mustn't be refrigerated, surely that can't be a law?

Yup - once again I can't remember the link but here in the UK eggs must not be re-fridgerated before sale ( look in the supermarkets - they are never in the chiller ) but then the purchaser is recommended to store them in the fridge.

I would suspect that is because when an egg is chilled then moved to a warmer atmosphere it will tend to get condensation forming on the outside, and this can allow bacteria the chance to enter. 

Marans eggs, being so thick and shiny shelled are supposedly less susceptible to the entry of bacteria, and their contents tend to stay fresher longer as a result. 

Which was a useful quality on all those long sea voyages from Marans to London when we owned that bit of France