Cleaning eggs for exhibition

[Susan Skylark]

My son is taking quail eggs to the county fair for 4-H and if he places well he can send them to the state fair a few weeks later. I know eggs can last for weeks at ambient temps if unwashed, how do we clean up his eggs for exhibit without destroying their ability to withstand going bad? Ideally we’d send new eggs but as someone else is dropping off our county entries that isn’t possible. Thanks!

 

[SourRoses]

If it were me, I would try to gather the most naturally clean eggs. They always look the best with their bloom intact.
Best way for us to do that around here is to clean all the nests, and check the nests each day when collecting for any poo or mess, keep it clean and the eggs laid will be clean.
If you have mud or anything like that dirtying the hens feet, then put down some fresh material in the coop / run area, like wood chips or pine pellets, so that the hens are basically wiping their feet before they get to their nests.

 

[Susan Skylark]

We have penned quail on sand or shavings (kept dry and clean) so they aren’t bad, just wondering if I could spot clean without destroying impermeability to bacteria?

 

[SourRoses]

We have penned quail on sand or shavings (kept dry and clean) so they aren’t bad, just wondering if I could spot clean without destroying impermeability to bacteria?

A dry wipe, like papertowel, used gently doesn't affect the bloom as long as you don't scrub. Damp starts to affect it, and of course washing will take it off.