dirty eggs...please help me

[manxminx]

Hi - I am new to hen keeping (got 6 in Jan this year). I have a broody hen called Vegas who has decided my potato pots are the ideal place to make her nest!!! She has been sitting on her eggs (7 in total) for about a little over a week now, but it was only 2 days ago I found out where see was. I had to hide in my garlic patch to see where she went without her seeing me. She only gets off her nest every other day, so today when she was having a dust bath I went to see what was there. This is when I saw her 7 dirty little eggs. Because she has laid them directly on soil and has been turning them around ect, they are covered in dirt and 'other' stuff. My question is, do I leave her to it? try and clean them (if so, how?), put a layer of straw under them next time shes off them? I've read that dirty eggs can get diseases....what do I do???

Please help me
Kate

 

[scbatz33]

Since you are not eating them, she's hatching them, I'd leave them be. If you disturb her nest she may stop sitting them.

Just my opinion, but if it ain't broke......

 

[manxminx]

My only concern is if they do get a disease it may harm the chicks inside. I'm quiet happy for her to be where she is (my potato's aren't ready anyway!lol)