How can I tell if a egg is fresh?

One of the pitfalls of free-range hens is that some will lay their eggs around the yard, on hay bales, in bushes, in buckets, etc. When you stumble across them you need to determine if they are fresh. Remember that a fresh egg has very little air inside it. This fact will help you to determine its freshness. Fill a bowl or container with 5” of cold water. Gently place your egg into the water. Put the egg on the bottom. If it lays on its side, it is very fresh. If it stays on the bottom but stands on one end, it is still good to eat. If it floats to the top, throw it away as it bad.