Junior Egg Contest 101: How to Choose and Present Eggs for a 4-H or FFA Exhibit

An egg contest looks simple. A plate or carton of eggs sits on a table and a judge walks by. What the judge sees in a few seconds comes from weeks of choosing, collecting and handling. Winning plates are usually the ones where every egg looks like a twin of the others, with clean, sound shells and a uniform size, shape and color. A Speckled Sussex flock lays light brown eggs and has the production to give you plenty of choices, and that makes it a good flock to build an exhibit from.

This guide explains the general approach to preparing eggs for a junior contest. Rules on how many eggs, what to do about washing and how eggs are judged vary by show, so read your fair book and ask your leader. If you want to find egg judging clinics near you, agriculture.directory can help you find agriculture events in your area.

What Judges Look For

Egg classes vary, but judges generally look for a few things.

• Uniformity. Eggs on a plate or in a carton should match each other in size, shape, shell color and texture.
• Shell quality. Sound, smooth, clean shells with no cracks, thin spots, ridges, bumps or rough areas.
• Shape. A typical egg shape that is neither too round nor too pointed.
• Cleanliness. No stains, droppings or debris on the shell.
• Interior quality. In some contests, eggs may be candled or broken out to evaluate the air cell, yolk and white.
• Size. Some classes specify size categories.

The USDA Agricultural Marketing Service publishes egg grading standards that describe quality grades used in commercial eggs. Junior contests may use their own rules, but the same principles apply.

Start Early: Pick From Many

You cannot choose well from a dozen eggs. Collect eggs from your hens daily for a week or two, and set aside the best. Keep each day's eggs separate and mark the date. Choose the eggs closest to each other, and aim for freshness. Judges often prefer fresh eggs. Check your show rules for age limits. The eXtension poultry pages cover egg quality and handling.

Color and Size

Speckled Sussex lay light brown eggs, and shades can vary somewhat between hens and over the laying season. Choose eggs that match in shade. Size also matters: choose eggs of similar weight. A kitchen scale helps. Mixing eggs from different hens is usually fine, as long as they match. Pullets' first eggs are often small, and older hens' eggs may be larger with a coarser shell, so pick eggs from hens at similar stages when you can.

Checking Shell Quality

• Hold each egg up to a bright light and look for cracks. Hairline cracks may be hard to see.
• Run your finger across the shell to feel for bumps, ridges or thin spots.
• Reject any egg with a rough or chalky patch, a thin spot or a deformity.
• Gently tap two eggs together and listen for a clear ring, since a dull sound can indicate a crack.

Cleaning: Check the Rules First

Rules on cleaning eggs for shows differ. Some contests prefer that eggs are cleaned, and others prefer that eggs not be washed. In general, clean eggs are collected quickly and, if cleaning is allowed, wiped with a dry cloth or fine abrasive pad to remove light dirt, or washed according to recommended methods. Washed eggs lose their natural protective coating, which affects storage, so follow guidance from your extension service. Do not scrub hard or soak eggs. Many extension resources, such as University of Minnesota Extension poultry, explain egg handling and food safety. Ask your leader which approach your show expects.

Candling

Candling means shining a bright light through an egg to look at the inside. For a contest, it helps you spot cracks, blood spots, and an oversized air cell, which indicates older eggs. A small air cell, a firm yolk that moves slightly and a clear white indicate a fresh egg. Candle in a dark room with a light made for the purpose. Practice with extra eggs, and have someone show you the first time.

Handling and Storage

1. Collect eggs daily, and handle them gently.
2. Store eggs in a cool place, pointed end down, in a clean carton.
3. Keep them away from strong odors.
4. Avoid temperature swings and sunlight.
5. Refrigerate eggs according to your show's guidance and food safety rules.

Egg safety matters. Wash your hands after handling eggs and poultry, and follow food safety rules.

Packing for the Fair

Use a sturdy carton or the container your show requires, with each egg snug but not crowded. Keep eggs cool in transit, and don't leave them in a hot car. Bring extras in case an egg cracks. Arrange eggs neatly on the plate, all with the same orientation, as the show instructs.

Know Your Hens and Your Eggs

Judges may ask questions about your flock, such as breed, age, housing, feeding and how often you collect eggs. A Speckled Sussex flock is a good topic, since the breed is a dual-purpose heritage breed. Our guide on why hens stop laying in winter explains how season affects production. Keep records of your flock's laying for your record book.

Common Mistakes

• Picking eggs the night before. Start early.
• Mismatched eggs. Uniformity wins.
• Ignoring the cleaning rules. Ask first.
• Rough handling. Cracks ruin a plate.
• Not checking for cracks. Look and listen.

Farm.fm's page on farm eggs winning employee of the month is a humor piece, and for another, see farm.fm's piece on the farm fresh eggs shelf life debate.