How is Water Egg Test Relevant to "Don't Wash Your Hatching Eggs"??

[jumbocoturnix]

Essentially, my question is many bird farmers stated not to wash hatching eggs, but if someone performs water egg test, doesn't that mean those eggs won't hatch? Doesn't that beat the purpose? A bit confused there - I'm curious to learn more about quail raising. Please share some of your opinions!


Thank you all

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Water is a problem because it contributes to bacteria infestation but the float test is only for after the incubation period to see if there is any movement in the bird about to hatch.
Wait till the day after they're supposed to hatch to float test them.

 

[jumbocoturnix]

That makes sense - thank you!

 

[austin66]

well if you wash them you are scrubbing the layer of the shell that keeps them from getting bacteria but if you set them in water it doesn't wash it off

 

[ChickenCanoe]

True but the moisture itself is a vector for bacterial growth in the environment of the incubator. Even condensation for too rapid heating can be a problem.

 

[eHuman]

You have to scrub them to remove the bloom layer from the egg. Float testing them will not harm the bloom coating and, float testing is only used after your hatch is done to make sure that there aren't any late bloomers that need an extra day to hatch. Without floating them they would die in the trash anyway.