Pre-Incubating Tricks for best possible hatch

[Sumatraqueen]

Hi everybody, I was wondering what you do before putting your eggs in the incubator if you have a special procedure and what you find to work best.

I have been told to put the eggs pointy end down in only a cardboard egg carton, wash the eggs in luke warm water and to flip the whole carton onto the side 2 times daily, anything else or does anybody have any other suggestions?

Thanks!

 

[BawGock]

If you are collecting eggs for hatching it is good to keep them in a cool environment (50-60F) and turn the cartons a couple times a day.
I would not recommend cleaning them though. The eggs have a nature coating that protects them from bacteria.
If you wash them you wash that coating off.
Remember, mama hen doesn't wash her eggs before she sits on them

Carolyn

 

[Sumatraqueen]

Awesome thank you!

Does anybody know if there are different procedures for pheasant eggs?

 

[HEChicken]

I use a styrofoam carton rather than cardboard - the cardboard cartons absorb too much water. Also, I wouldn't "flip the whole carton onto the side 2 times daily" but just tilt one end of the carton to about 45 degrees and then the other end. And I agree with the PP that I would not wash the eggs. The hen puts a protective "bloom" around the egg right before she lays it and washing will just wash that off, making them more susceptible to bacteria.