*Controversial Topic Warning!* - How do I wash and sanitize hatching eggs?

[Poultator]

I know it is a controversial topic, however I have had some problems with omphalitis and blood rings in the past trying to incubate for my friend who pretty much demands I hatch their filthy eggs. I have already decided to wash and sterilize the eggs this time around, but need some advice on what products and procedures to use. I have heard of bleach, vinegar, and peroxide solutions being used, but not specific ratios or details.

I will be happy to hear from anyone who washes their eggs before incubation. I know about the eggs natural 'bloom', but it really hasn't seemed to work for me thusfar---plus these eggs are pretty gross and I don't want keep spreading the germs by hand turning the eggs.

Thanks everyone!

 

[azjustin]

We very rarely wash ours, a dry scrub always seems to be good enough for most. For dirtier, a sponge wash without submersion into the water is about the final step I will take. Anything worse gets a heavy scrub and turns into breakfast. No soaps, sterilizing, etc..

There is a fairly good egg washing DIY device that you can make from PVC, a bucket, and air compressor. It uses air as the agitation and doesn't break eggs if you do it right.

I personally won't set eggs that are nasty, because what else is happening in that coop if the eggs can't even be kept clean? That's not a dig on anyone, we just prefer a cleaner coop that gives us clean eggs that very rarely need to be washed.

Maybe put the cleaning of the eggs on the person who is giving them to you? That would be a good transition for education if you have a terrible hatch.

I apologize for offering input on something we don't necessarily have a lot of experience in, but I'm a huge fan of fixing the problem before it starts, not finding a solution to it.

Good luck.

 

[Poultator]

Thank you for the reply! Luckily, I think they got the hint after my complaining last time---the eggs I got this batch were nice and clean. BUT they refrigerated them! I set them anyways and am just hoping for the best...

 

[dekel18042]

We very rarely wash ours, a dry scrub always seems to be good enough for most. For dirtier, a sponge wash without submersion into the water is about the final step I will take. Anything worse gets a heavy scrub and turns into breakfast. No soaps, sterilizing, etc..

There is a fairly good egg washing DIY device that you can make from PVC, a bucket, and air compressor. It uses air as the agitation and doesn't break eggs if you do it right.

I personally won't set eggs that are nasty, because what else is happening in that coop if the eggs can't even be kept clean? That's not a dig on anyone, we just prefer a cleaner coop that gives us clean eggs that very rarely need to be washed.

Maybe put the cleaning of the eggs on the person who is giving them to you? That would be a good transition for education if you have a terrible hatch.

I apologize for offering input on something we don't necessarily have a lot of experience in, but I'm a huge fan of fixing the problem before it starts, not finding a solution to it.

Good luck.

X2 Excellent advice. If an egg is dirty at all (Sometimes if it has been raining for a long time), I won't set it.
About the refrigeration, I have already pulled eggs from the fridge after they have been a day or so (Decided it was a nice egg or wanted that particular kind of chick) and all but one have hatched as far as my large fowl is concerned
However, after I lost a young bantam cockerel accidently I decided to hatch some eggs to get a replacement. I started collecting eggs about a week after we lost him then pulled some from the refrigerator. NONE of these refrigerated eggs hatched. Now whether it was because they were refrigerated, or older, or because the parents were so young, He and the girls were only 4.5 months old and they had just started laying, but none of the refrigerated eggs hatched and 5/6 non refrigerated eggs did.

 

[redguinea]

Thank you for the reply! Luckily, I think they got the hint after my complaining last time---the eggs I got this batch were nice and clean. BUT they refrigerated them! I set them anyways and am just hoping for the best...:/

It was sounding like your friend was learning but putting them in the fridge? I don't know how that is going to turn out. Ive heard it ruins all chances of development but keep us informed.

 

[Blondie1026]

Farm n fleet has an egg cleanser spray, I've never used it but did notice it