12/14/2025
LET'S TALK ABOUT BLOOM! What is it, what does it look like, and why is it there? Even through these winter storms we have a new laying hen and she seems to be one of our heaviest blooms we've ever had! So let's answer some common questions!
What is it?: The "bloom" is a protective layer that covers the eggs when a chicken lays them. When an egg is freshly laid, the bloom is wet and sticky, but within about 10 seconds it completely dries up and becomes a crucial part of making farm fresh eggs stand out compared to store bought eggs. So long as the bloom stays dry, the egg is protected.
What does it look like?: Have you ever had a farm fresh eggs, possibly a lighter brown color, and when you run it under water, the egg turns a darker shade? That's the bloom running off of the egg. On most eggs it's nearly invisible to the naked eye. Just like some chickens lay brown eggs and some lay blue and some lay green, some chickens just lay a heavier bloom than others. When it's a really heavy bloom, it can make light brown eggs look almost lavender in color. Sometimes it gives them a heavy matte exterior. And sometimes, as pictured below, it comes out in beautiful little patches over the entire egg. It may looks like moldy growths all over it but it's actually the bloom. If you get the chance to touch one, it feels almost chalky since it dries like that.
Why is it there?: The blooms first purpose in its existence is to protect the egg from any bacteria in the hen's internal tract where both eggs and excrement are made and expel from the same place. From the moment the egg starts to form, the hen's body is working to protect it. Once an egg is laid, it has a porous shell where bacteria would be able to seep in through the holes if it weren't for the bloom. This bloom means no bacteria or other nasty things can enter the egg. Farm fresh eggs commonly leave the bloom on, and don't wash it off. This is why farm fresh eggs last so much longer than store bought. Every store bought egg, by regulation, has to be washed of any bloom. When you wash off the bloom, you're allowing bacteria to enter and/or infect the egg that you might be eating. Hence why they need to stay refrigerated, to prevent bacteria from growing, should it end up on your shell. But farm fresh eggs can be kept at room temperature because there isn't risk of bacteria growing since the bloom has always stayed intact from the moment is was laid.
In conclusion, the bloom is a protective layer that helps prolong the lifespan of farm fresh eggs. Though heavy blooms can make it look like there's mold and it would be a very unsafe egg to eat, it's actually the most heavily protected egg and is the most safe one you'll ever eat. You'll never see this outside of farm fresh eggs, so thank a hen and support your local small farms.
Stay warm out there!
