Hi Hayley,
If you have access to a cooler, I think refrigerated eggs are your best bet. We take ours camping (eggs, I mean) and we've never had any problem at all. We keep them in a regular cooler with cold foods and ice. I don't think I'd want to trust eggs that had been left out in the heat for very long. On the other hand, if it's not terribly hot, they might be fine. Not much help, huh? ;)

I recommend refrigeration. My eggs seem tastier and I don't get runny yolks and whites or funny little specks if I put them in the fridge right away.

Kitty

I'd take your unwashed eggs that you have collected and store them in a cool, dry place, then wash them just before you use them while on your trip. This is because the hens' body naturally coats the egg with a protective cuticle called 'bloom' which seals out bacteria (that is why she can safely sit on them for 21 days without having them rot or explode. :) This is also how folks stored and used eggs in the days before refrigeration (eggs can last for at least a week when stored properly without refrigeration). What you want to avoid is the eggs getting warm and/or losing moisture through their pourous shells, as well as outside bacteria getting into the eggs. Also make sure you have good, sound eggs with no cracks or thin shells.

The moisture in the frig might partially wash off the bloom, otherwise I'd say refrigerate them. You'll also need to store the eggs in a cool, dry place during the trip.

Have fun! :)

Velvet ~:>

In France, eggs are not normally refrigerated. They keep just fine at temperatures much hotter than 60 - 65. I only refrigerate eggs when the hens are laying so well that I have a surplus. I've mever had a problem with the quality of the unrefrigerated eggs.

Thank you for the replys! A cooler/refrigeration is not an option for the trip (it's a kayak camping trip) but I think the advice here is very helpful. I will keep them cool and dry and hope for the best, and of course employ the sniff test before cooking/eating eggs on the later days of the trip.
Thanks again!
Hayley

You can't sniff salmonella. That is not a good indicator of safety in eggs.

I also lived in Europe and many times eggs are not refrigerated and sit for sale on shelves in markets. However, these eggs are fresh and not cold stored. It is true the bloom on the egg does deter bacteria from entering the pores of the shell. Some bacteria may be present in the egg itself, however, before it ever leaves the chicken. Therefore if you must use unrefrigerated eggs........ use the cleanest eggs, do not wash them, keep them dry and as cool as possible, and most importantly........cook them completely before eating! IOW, not sunny side up or over easy. You can buy dehydrated eggs for camping, you know. That would be your safest bet.