How dirty is too dirty to set?

[Trish1974]

I have been vigilant about collecting eggs this week (I am wanting to set a batch next week) but today I was gone most the day. By the time I got home all 3 hens had laid in the same box. Of course the egg I needed must have been the first one laid because it was the only dirty one. It appears to be mud and not poop...and not much of it. I tried to flake some off with my fingernail, and tried to wipe lightly with a paper towel, but this is as good as it gets.
I am short on breeders; so desperate for eggs otherwise I wouldn't consider it. Is this egg too dirty to incubate?

 

[kesrchicky16]

I would set it. Just don't get it wet.

 

[LynnaePB]

I don't have tons of hatching experience but I will say I've hatched eggs that were a lot dirtier then the one you are showing. I wouldn't hesitate to put one like that in my incubator unless I had other eggs that I had washed in there (I don't wash though).

I just hatched some shipped eggs a couple days ago and the dirtiest egg of the lot was one of the few that hatched (it was a lot dirtier than yours)!

 

[Jenngee]

Have set and hatched dirtier eggs for sure. Fingers crossed you have a successful hatch

 

[FoodFreedomNow]

That's hardly "dirty" at all compared to some I've set (and have had hatch)! Best of luck!

 

[Jules929]

I agree, I would set it. I have had shipped eggs hatch that were far dirtier. Good luck!

 

[rascal66]

I can say I've set eggs and even an egg or two that was dirtier than yours have hatched. Even though my incubator sucks, it still shows that even doubtful eggs hatch! I have both washed and unwashed eggs and I haven't noticed a difference yet.

 

[Trish1974]

Thanks everyone!