Dirty eggs under hen

[trisha19]

I got some eggs shipped instead of setting in an incubator I put them under a broody. I looked tonight and she pooped by them and the eggs are dirty now. Should I leave them that way or wipe them off? I really want these eggs to make it. They are not coved but have a good amount of crap smeared all over them.

 

[Kedreeva]

Nah, just leave them be. The chunks will rub off from her brooding on them, and a light smearing of dirt or poo won't really hurt them. However, washing them off runs the risk of removing the protective bloom on the surface of the eggshells, thus leaving the eggs much more susceptible to bacterial infection.

Good luck with them!