Broken eggs in setting hen nest

[henjoy]

I have a hen who just began setting a few days ago. Due to a squabble between the hen and another some eggs were broken. I removed the other hen and the setting hen has her own space where no others can get to her. If the eggs she is setting on are somewhat covered in egg from the broken eggs will they be all right or should I replace all of the eggs? This hen has been setting for only a few days anywhere close to so the chicks would not be any where near viable. Thanks for any advice.

 

[red horse ranch]

Some people will try to clean the eggs but my opinion is that cleaning them just allows in more bacteria. Too much of the protective coating gets cleaned off in the process. If there is just a tiny bit on each egg the chick may still make it. But a lot of egg will probably seal the pores that they get oxygen thru.
When I was in your situation earlier this year I just gave my hen all new eggs. No sense letting her sit 3 weeks for a poor or nonexistent hatch.