What a dreary day outside... I'm stuck in grading papers, but every time I take a break to stretch, I'm faced with gray, gray, gray outside.
Did someone recently post about a batch of eggs getting ruined by a hen who did her business on them? If they were for hatching, try this next time before you chuck them:
1. Fill a plastic container with hot water (100 - 110 degrees Fahrenheit)
2. Add enough liquid Betadine to make the water look like strong tea.
3. Check the temperature again to be sure it's between 100 and 110. I use a digital baby thermometer.
4. Gently place the soiled eggs in the water. Let the eggs sit for 1 - 3 minutes.
5. Remove soil gently with the egg under water when removing each egg from the Betadine solution. Use your finger, not a brush.
6. As you remove them, rinse the eggs in clean hot water, about 100 - 105 degrees.
7. Let the eggs air dry on a clean towel.
8. Set your hatch. You've got noting to lose if you were planning to toss the eggs out anyway.
Shells are permeable, but they are also a barrier, depending upon temperature and other factors. If the water is hot enough, but not too hot, the pores of the egg will not allow bacteria to pass through. Washing eggs in cold water aids bacteria in its efforts to get into an egg. Too hot, of course, will cook the eggs. I've managed to rescue some floor eggs this way. In a wild environment, the shell would be the only thing protecting the embryo, but we've got disinfectants and time to experiment, so don't give up without trying.
I almost forgot. Wash your hands with disinfectant soap before handling your eggs. Some people wear gloves, but I can't judge the water temperature if I've got gloves on. When choosing which egg to rinse first, I take the least soiled egg, which leaves the really dirty eggs in for a tiny bit longer. The 1 - 3 minute time limit for soaking is what I've found works. I don't know if soaking longer hurts the eggs as I haven't tried it.
Did someone recently post about a batch of eggs getting ruined by a hen who did her business on them? If they were for hatching, try this next time before you chuck them:
1. Fill a plastic container with hot water (100 - 110 degrees Fahrenheit)
2. Add enough liquid Betadine to make the water look like strong tea.
3. Check the temperature again to be sure it's between 100 and 110. I use a digital baby thermometer.
4. Gently place the soiled eggs in the water. Let the eggs sit for 1 - 3 minutes.
5. Remove soil gently with the egg under water when removing each egg from the Betadine solution. Use your finger, not a brush.
6. As you remove them, rinse the eggs in clean hot water, about 100 - 105 degrees.
7. Let the eggs air dry on a clean towel.
8. Set your hatch. You've got noting to lose if you were planning to toss the eggs out anyway.
Shells are permeable, but they are also a barrier, depending upon temperature and other factors. If the water is hot enough, but not too hot, the pores of the egg will not allow bacteria to pass through. Washing eggs in cold water aids bacteria in its efforts to get into an egg. Too hot, of course, will cook the eggs. I've managed to rescue some floor eggs this way. In a wild environment, the shell would be the only thing protecting the embryo, but we've got disinfectants and time to experiment, so don't give up without trying.
I almost forgot. Wash your hands with disinfectant soap before handling your eggs. Some people wear gloves, but I can't judge the water temperature if I've got gloves on. When choosing which egg to rinse first, I take the least soiled egg, which leaves the really dirty eggs in for a tiny bit longer. The 1 - 3 minute time limit for soaking is what I've found works. I don't know if soaking longer hurts the eggs as I haven't tried it.
