Can I Compost Hard Boiled Eggs? - Ask Extension
Hello- I have a dozen farm fresh chicken eggs that I hard boiled 0n 6-29-2017, they have been refrigerated the whole time, but I am not going to cha...
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Can I Compost Hard Boiled Eggs? #415205
Asked July 18, 2017, 4:28 PM EDT
Hello- I have a dozen farm fresh chicken eggs that I hard boiled 0n 6-29-2017, they have been refrigerated the whole time, but I am not going to chance feeding them to either my dogs or chickens because I was afraid they were too old. But I was wondering if I could smash them up and put them in my black compost bins?
El Paso County Colorado
Expert Response
Hi Stephanie,
Thank you for your question about composting hard boiled eggs.
We recommend you avoid adding eggs to your compost. Animal wastes (meat, bones, grease, whole eggs and dairy products) may cause odors and attract rodents; they are not recommended. However, you can add the eggshells, as they tend to be less odorous.
Just so you know, for food safety, we recommend you eat your boiled eggs 1 week from boiling them. The reason is because the heat of boiling them removes a protective membrane from the eggs and allows microorganisms to enter the egg.
I've included our factsheet on composting and a recipe for pickled eggs in case you find yourself with extra boiled eggs again in the future and they are less than 1 week old. http://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/yard-garden/composting-yard-waste-7-212/
http://nchfp.uga.edu/how/can_06/pickled_eggs.html They will need to be stored in the refrigerator and Used within 3 to 4 months for best quality.
Best wishes.
Thank you for your question about composting hard boiled eggs.
We recommend you avoid adding eggs to your compost. Animal wastes (meat, bones, grease, whole eggs and dairy products) may cause odors and attract rodents; they are not recommended. However, you can add the eggshells, as they tend to be less odorous.
Just so you know, for food safety, we recommend you eat your boiled eggs 1 week from boiling them. The reason is because the heat of boiling them removes a protective membrane from the eggs and allows microorganisms to enter the egg.
I've included our factsheet on composting and a recipe for pickled eggs in case you find yourself with extra boiled eggs again in the future and they are less than 1 week old. http://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/yard-garden/composting-yard-waste-7-212/
http://nchfp.uga.edu/how/can_06/pickled_eggs.html They will need to be stored in the refrigerator and Used within 3 to 4 months for best quality.
Best wishes.
Thank you Michele! I really appreciate all of the info., as well as the pickled egg recipe which I will try once my hens are all back in full swing of laying eggs once again. The service that you offer is so very valuable! Thanks Again!
Sincerely, Stephanie.
Sincerely, Stephanie.
You're very welcome! I'm happy to have been of assistance.
For what it's worth, my colleague enjoys the pickled eggs. However, she feels the sooner you eat them the better the texture. You'll have to play around with it and make your own mind up. I hope you like them.
Please keep in mind that although they are pickled, they are meant to be kept in the refrigerator. They are not safe to keep on the shelf.
For what it's worth, my colleague enjoys the pickled eggs. However, she feels the sooner you eat them the better the texture. You'll have to play around with it and make your own mind up. I hope you like them.
Please keep in mind that although they are pickled, they are meant to be kept in the refrigerator. They are not safe to keep on the shelf.
