Dirty hatching eggs

[chickenenthusiasts5698]

I got a handle full of eggs from a friend and they’re really dirty (i’m not complaining they were free) Should I wash them? Leave them?

 

[BirdsBeesTrees]

I got a handle full of eggs from a friend and they’re really dirty (i’m not complaining they were free) Should I wash them? Leave them?

I wash my really dirty ones with a 50/50 solution of peroxide and warm water. I clean them by dipping a cotton ball or clean rag into the solution and wiping off the eggs.
I do not submerge them.
2 reasons: First I don't like poopy dirty eggs in my incubators, and second I don't think the embryos can get a good amount of oxygen with all that junk clogging the pores.

 

[SilverBirds]

You can use a dry sponge or cloth and gently remove away any dirt/poop from the eggs. You don't want to wash them or scrub to much as you don't want to remove the bloom. If they are very dirty, I wouldn't put them in the incubator as it can cause bacteria to grow. If they are only a little dirty, I wouldn't worry to much. I have successfully hatched eggs that were not the cleanest in the bunch. Choosing the cleanest ones is always best though.

 

[BirdsBeesTrees]

I got a handle full of eggs from a friend and they’re really dirty (i’m not complaining they were free) Should I wash them? Leave them?

I did an experiment with my Ayam Cemani eggs washed 10 left 10 unwashed. 1 egg was a quitter, 1 egg didn't hatch. I had 9 unwashed eggs hatch and 9 washed hatch. It didn't improve hatch rates but there is no reason to put overly dirty eggs in my incubators and introduce bacteria.

 

[chickenenthusiasts5698]

I did an experiment with my Ayam Cemani eggs washed 10 left 10 unwashed. 1 egg was a quitter, 1 egg didn't hatch. I had 9 unwashed eggs hatch and 9 washed hatch. It didn't improve hatch rates but there is no reason to put overly dirty eggs in my incubators and introduce bacteria.

Do you wash them under water like you would to eat?

 

[chickenenthusiasts5698]

You can use a dry sponge or cloth and gently remove away any dirt/poop from the eggs. You don't want to wash them or scrub to much as you don't want to remove the bloom. If they are very dirty, I wouldn't put them in the incubator as it can cause bacteria to grow. If they are only a little dirty, I wouldn't worry to much. I have successfully hatched eggs that were not the cleanest in the bunch. Choosing the cleanest ones is always best though.

I tried taking a clean soft toothbrush to it and nothing came off Anything else I can try?

 

[Dottie the Chicken]

Curious how dirty they are... pics?

 

[chickenenthusiasts5698]

Curious how dirty they are... pics?

These are the dirtiest ones

 

[Tonyroo]

Do you have a microfiber cloth? Mist hydrogen peroxide on the cloth then wipe the egg. Keep in mind to keep your hands clean after the eggs are cleaned.

Incubating dirty eggs provides bacteria to grow and spread which will kill the chick.

 

[BirdsBeesTrees]

Do you wash them under water like you would to eat?

No. Do not submerge the eggs.
Only wipe them off with the solution and a cotton ball(s) or a clean rag.