Dirty eggs in the incubator

[LocoPollo]

I am setting a new hatch at the moment and am wondering if it is dangerous to put poopy eggs in the incubator. Does in hurt the chances of that egg hatching? Can it hurt the eggs around it? Should I just wash them, or does that endanger them too?

This is an important hatch for me, and while I am throwing in extra eggs for fun, I dont want to endanger the eggs I bought for this hatch.

 

[Indiana hens]

Good concern. No POOP! If you went into the sauna would you want poop in there?

 

[jay1995]

You should wash them in luke warm water. It is important to get it off. If they have poop or severe stains you wont have a good hatch. The egg has many pores to take in humidity and temp. If those pores are covered then te results will be dissapointing. Goodluck, -Jay

 

[enola]

I don't think you should wash them. Use a stainless steel scrubby like you use in the kitchen. Just "buff" them with the scrubby until the poop is gone and the egg is smooth.

That is how it is done in commercial breeder houses.

 

[twigg]

Quote:
You can wash them, but you should use a specialist egg wash solution, and follow the directions carefully.

Mostly eggs don't need washing .... ducks tend to be dirtiest. You are often better off just removing the worst by a light scraping. You can even lightly sand off dried poop. Washing, unless done correctly, can easily do more harm than good.

 

[TriciaHowe]

I use warm water and a Mr. Clean magic eraser to get stuck on spots off.

 

[jay1995]

I just get the poo damp and then scrape it off and dry. Works beautifuly for me. And you wont have to buy special egg cleaners.

 

[Katy]

Quote:
Maybe this method is why you seem to be having issues with your eggs not hatching. You've had many posts lastely about your eggs not hatching. Dirty eggs could be contributing to that.

 

[twigg]

Quote:
Not using proper egg sanitisers is a false economy, imho.

 

[AHappychick]

thats weird it seems like my dirtiest eggs always hatch. they are not that dirty but some do have smudges of poop and stuff, I just leave it never had a problem so far. Out of the silkies I hatches the dirtiest was one of the only ones to hatch.

How dirty are you talking about?