(If you don't have your own hens available, you can check around your local area and ask if they can sell you unwashed, fresh eggs.)

People in Northern Idaho do this, have for years because since we are up north...we don't get much sunlight in the winter. The hens take a break, and start back up in the spring. You can modify that instinct by using timed lighting, to simulate spring sunlight. However that can cut your hens long term health short, cutting down egg laying capacity from not allowing them their natural break.

So, many people up here water glass their eggs for the interim while the hens are taking their winter break.

The caveat is, that you need fresh, unwashed eggs that still have their natural bloom. This is the protective, natural covering over the eggs given from the hen. This is so she may keep her future baby chicks safe within their eggshell and protected against bacterial infections, while she is setting. This is what also protects your future meals, as you water glass your eggs for long term storage.

I had planned on doing so this past spring, but I had a lot going on with our goats...so I didn't quite get to the learning curve. But this spring (with everything going on!) I shall certainly be making the time!

~Bonnie

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https://www.amodernhomestead.com/water-glassing-eggs-for-long-term-storage/

STEP BY STEP GUIDE TO WATER GLASSING EGGS
Like I said before, water glassing is a SUPER EASY process, but it can sometimes seem more complicated than it is! So let's break it down.

STEP 1: FRESH, CLEAN EGGS
The process of water glassing is only appropriate for fresh, unwashed eggs - which means, store bought eggs cannot be used. So, no, you can't buy eggs on sale and water glass them for later!

Use clean, fresh (within a week old), unwashed eggs that have not been refrigerated for this process. Check each eggs for cracks.

If your eggs do have dirt, straw, or chicken poop on them, you can dry rub them with a clean towel or buffing cloth, but don't put any water on them!

Washing eggs breaks down the bloom that keeps the egg sealed and can allow bacteria into the shell, and then the egg.

Add your clean eggs to a clean mason jar (or any large jar with a lid). For every 15-18 eggs, you will need a 1/2 gallon mason jar. You can use smaller or larger jars, but we like the 1/2 gallon jars!

Be very gentle with this process to avoid breaking any eggs!

STEP 2: MAKING THE LIME SOLUTION
Next, we need to make the actual lime solution. For each 1/2 gallon jar, you will also need 1 quart of lime water. Use the ratio of 1 quart of filtered water to 1 ounce of pickling lime BY weight. Mix well.

NOTE: The water needs to be chlorine free, so I like to use filtered water just to make sure I'm not introducing anything that would cause the eggs to go bad.

Then you'll just pour this water/lime solution over the eggs in your jar. Make sure all the eggs are covered completely. If you need to add a little more filtered water to cover the eggs, that's fine. Secure your lid and you are ready to store your water glassed eggs!