How dirty is to dirty?

[one_egg_at_a_time]

My girls are now laying and I get about 3 of the cutest eggs a week. Well then tend to potty in the only nesting box they like to lay in. They mostly redo the hay so I get 100% clean eggs. I have been reading and I am not sure how dirty of an egg would you toss. Can you post me pics of an egg you might not clean or one that might be messed up and would be a keeper.
Thank you for any help

 

[clucky2]

I don't believe there is any amount of "too dirty." Just wash off.
Do you have a roost for you chickens so they don't poop in thier nest box?

 

[silkypie]

I know people tend to not wash their eggs if they want to incubate them. If you scrub them then germs could get in and kill the embryo.

Don't tell my girls but sometimes they have nasty eggs too.

I would never tell them this of course. To me they are all A-ok! Just a little wash and they are picture perfect!

 

[Danigirl3]

I have three of mine that lay in the run, which with the rain we have had here is quite muddy so that makes for some pretty dirty eggs. I just wash mine off but mine are for eating and not incubating.

 

[digitS']

I follow the advice of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln poultry folks.

If I had eggs as dirty as some of the ones in their photographs, however, I'd probably throw them away. Fresh clean eggs, that is what I want.

Note what they say about water temperature: "Dirty eggs should be washed in water that is at least 20°F (11°C) warmer than the eggs. A good water temperature is 90-120°F (32.2-49°C), or as hot as the hands can tolerate for about 30 seconds or until the egg has been cleaned. This is so the contents of the egg will expand and “push” out any invading microbes."

Steve

 

[jwchicklady]

most of my eggs come out clean, but if a really dirty was layed in the run or so I just feed it to the dog. she loves them.

 

[greyhorsewoman]

If you can't stand dirty eggs, don't raise ducks for eggs ~~!!

We try to keep our nest boxes clean so most of our eggs don't require cleaning. However, sometimes the do get poopy for whatever reason. While I don't sell those eggs, I wash keep for us to eat. Have had my own chickens off and on most of my life. Never had a problem.