How to clean eggs for incubation?

[Shamo Hybrid]

What do you guys do to clean dirty eggs in preparation for incubation? They say not to wash it because of some type of mysterious ultra advanced FDA approved protective coating slime or whatever that is covered on the egg when the hen deposits it....... so, how can I clean my eggs without destroying this magical mother nature coating?

 

[Flockandfowl46]

I don't clean them at all...if there is a little poop or something you can use something like a dry vegetable brush but don't get them wet

 

[Shamo Hybrid]

I don't clean them at all...if there is a little poop or something you can use something like a dry vegetable brush but don't get them wet

Yeah, my eggs are pretty clean apart from a few poop stains on one or two eggs.... I've heard if it's dirty it can contaminate other eggs when it heats up in the incubator or something. Anyway, I saw on Youtube some guy who concocted this solution which comprises of 1/2 Listerine mouth wash (original flavor) and 1/2 of water, I think it was..... it supposedly helps out with destroying any and all bacteria on his eggs, he puts them in a bottle and sprays them pretty liberally. I don't know how safe that is though, I don't think I want to chance it.

 

[WhiteWyan]

I've seen a YouTube video of a guy who used a diluted hydrogen peroxide dip or spray. He claimed he had better hatch rates since he started doing that. However, when I tried this method, I unfortunately had only infertile eggs so I can't attest to it ):

 

[Flockandfowl46]

I can't knock all those things but I start with a clean and sterile bator every time and so far havnt had a problem but could be just luck...my hatch rates run between 85 to 100% hatch rate so far

 

[MissChick@dee]

It’s called the “bloom” of the egg Shamo darling.

 

[Shamo Hybrid]

It’s called the “bloom” of the egg Shamo darling.

Sorry not everyone is as PERFECT as you, hmmph!! Anyway, is that coating supposed to be very slippery? Because while handling an egg, I swear, the egg just decided it wanted to commit suicide that day and just jumped right out of my hand! A tear was shed and I blamed myself for it..... but now I know it wasn't my fault, and the real culprit was the damn slime coating!

 

[MissChick@dee]

Well there’s only one perfect person to ever walk the earth and it was Not me! So darling Shamo....all eggs come out wet then dry. I’m thinking if it was still slippery dang...that’s hecka fresh! I’ve picked some up that we’re still wet but in like 20 seconds (really) they dried.
Honestly I’ve never had a slimmy one...what comes to my mind is some type of a discharge from a not so healthy vent (don’t know about ducks don’t do them). The bloom always dries. BTW Thanks for the compliment....I needed one today!

 

[diamondsilkies]

If an egg is very dirty, I don't normally incubate it. If it's a little dirty, I usually do my best with a dry paper towel, and normally get pretty good results. I know my broody hens have managed to sneak some gross eggs past me, and have had some success. If it's not filthy, I say don't worry too much about it (although you obviously want to incubate the cleanest eggs possible)