It’s because we wash the eggs, removing the cuticle which is natures protection against bacteria, etc. Leave eggs unwashed, no need to refrigerate - but try explaining to people that it’s OK to have a dab of chicken poop on their eggs.
Thanks! You’ve just explained it.....even though in stores here, eggs are in the refrigerated section, yes, you find the occasional feather or little bit of poop or other dirt on the eggshell.
The eggs here are unwashed.
I have a few hens and if the eggs are filthy, I smash them in the pen and let the hens eat them. The protein is good for them. If the eggs are somewhat dirty, I was them under almost hot water, which supposedly doesn’t remove the bloom, which is the protective coating on the egg. Then I refrigerate them. If eggs don’t appear to be dirty or the dirt wipes off easily, I place them in the fridge as is. Often it is muddy feet that makes them dirty though a bit of poo is probably mixed in with the mud.
This morning when I peeked in hens’ nesting box, my white leghorn hen was there. And suddenly she stood up just as she was laying an egg popped out. To my amazement it made a noise like “pling” as her egg popped out and into the bedding. Leghorns are reliable egg layers. She usually lays an egg a day.