Have a question about incubating eggs. Specifically washing them before incubation.

[Skyleen13]

I’ve incubated several eggs successfully last year. I normally only use the eggs that are nice and clean already to incubate. However, this year I want to start back up but my run has become a total muddy mess that I’m trying to dry out. That may not happen for quite a while. The reason why is a dog got into our yard & tore up a section of my watering system that is built into the chickens run. It flooded the run & thanks to the constant freeze thaw we’ve been having here in Oregon it’s not drying up anytime soon. I’m in the process of getting bark chips to cover the run but I’m not sure if it will help enough. All the eggs I’ve been collecting as a result are quite dirty. I can clean them up no problem with just warm water & a soft damp cloth but I don’t know if that would make them unsuitable to incubate. Should I just wait to try to dry out the run & see if that cleans up the messy eggs or is it safe as long as all I use is water to clean them off?

 

[Weeg]

You can wipe them off very gently with a damp paper towel, they should be fine. Just don't scrub or "wash" them. I've had to clean some eggs of in the past and had success with this method.
This time of year runs get muddy, I've got ducks so I'm in the same boat.
Just make sure to keep your bator super clean encase you wipe off some of the bloom. This means at least washing hands before handling eggs, at best wearing clean rubber gloves.

 

[Skyleen13]

You can wipe them off very gently with a damp paper towel, they should be fine. Just don't scrub or "wash" them. I've had to clean some eggs of in the past and had success with this method.
This time of year runs get muddy, I've got ducks so I'm in the same boat.
Just make sure to keep your bator super clean encase you wipe off some of the bloom. This means at least washing hands before handling eggs, at best wearing clean rubber gloves.

Unfortunately, the mud I’m dealing with right now won’t come off with a simple wet towel. I can only get them clean by dipping them in & out of running warm water while wiping off the gunk.
Is that to much?

 

[Mrs J]

I use this. It is a disinfectant to clean your incubator but also an egg wash when it’s diluted. I just follow the instructions on the back on how to dilute. I use this to clean my eggs (even if they are clean) before I set them.

 

[Skyleen13]

View attachment 2998400
I use this. It is a disinfectant to clean your incubator but also an egg wash when it’s diluted. I just follow the instructions on the back on how to dilute. I use this to clean my eggs (even if they are clean) before I set them.

That’s perfect! I’ll give that a try. Thank you.

 

[MysteryChicken]

I just give mine a washing in the sink, with plain water.

I've hatched plenty of washed eggs. Chicks came out healthy as if they hatched from unwashed eggs.

 

[Skyleen13]

View attachment 2998400
I use this. It is a disinfectant to clean your incubator but also an egg wash when it’s diluted. I just follow the instructions on the back on how to dilute. I use this to clean my eggs (even if they are clean) before I set them.

Where can I buy this?

 

[Skyleen13]

I just give mine a washing in the sink, with plain water.

I've hatched plenty of washed eggs. Chicks came out healthy as if they hatched from unwashed eggs.

That makes me feel so much better. Thank you.

 

[Mrs J]

Where can I buy this?

I get it from brinsea themselves at brinsea.com You can just rinse them, but I’m a bit weird with cleaning etc so it gives me peace of mind know there is no bacteria on them before they get set. When using as an egg wash, a little goes a long way.