How Many Eggs Did You Get Today?

[Mother of Chaos]

Aha, I see.

But as a measure of strict bio security I never let my broodies hatch eggs that are not laid by my own hens.

Whenever I purchase eggs from other breeders I make sure to only incubate perfectly clean ones and then slip them under my broodies after 2-3 days of observing the chicks closely.

Ahh, now this is interesting!

On another forum, probably the Stories about my chickens one, a poster was trying to increase her flock size after losses. One reply, co-signed by several veteran BYC posters, said that eggs and day-old chicks carried very little risk of disease importation. Was that incorrect, or are you being extra-sure? (which is understandable)

Or did I dream the whole thing, which is very possible.

 

[LaFleche]

One reply, co-signed by several veteran BYC posters, said that eggs and day-old chicks carried very little risk of disease importation.

Well, eggs that are dirty (soil or poop etc.) will carry all kinds of germs (bacteria and viruses) whereas very clean but not washed eggs diminish the risk considerably and can be disinfected prior to incubating. Chicks that hatched from very clean eggs of a healthy and well cared for flock should not be able to contaminate your flock.

As I breed and raise my birds according to organic guidelines for more than 25 years now, I have to be extra careful because of the many restrictions regarding the use of medications etc.

 

[Mother of Chaos]

Well, eggs that are dirty (soil or poop etc.) will carry all kinds of germs (bacteria and viruses) whereas very clean but not washed eggs diminish the risk considerably and can be disinfected prior to incubating. Chicks that hatched from very clean eggs of a healthy and well cared for flock should not be able to contaminate your flock.

As I breed and raise my birds according to organic guidelines for more than 25 years now, I have to be extra careful because of the many restrictions regarding the use of medications etc.

Oh, that's very true - if you're complying with organic guidelines for whatever reason (sale, personal choice, etc.), it does reduce your choices.