Question - collecting eggs for incubating

[tia]

I am going to start incubating some eggs next week. When you collect the eggs do you wash them off? I know you keep them about 60 degrees or so until you put them in the incubator, but do you do anything else to them. I am also turning them. If they are fairly clean but have that waxy coating do you just keep them that way?

 

[alicefelldown]

It's best to not wash them. Nature gave them the bloom / waxy coating - no reason to remove it.

Best of luck!

 

[tia]

Thanks - it is so exciting. I can't wait to get started.

 

[fishfarmer]

If they're fairly clean, I wouldn't wash them. I do wash eggs that have poop or dirt on them that doesn't come off easily. I have incubated both washed eggs (quails) and unwashed eggs. They both hatched, but I can't comment on the hatch rate.

 

[Sweetfolly]

Right now, it's wet here in Wisconsin. My eggs are usually wet and pooey when I collect them, and I just run them under hot water quick when I collect them and then gently blot them dry. I have a batch of 8 Runner eggs in the incubator right now that were all "washed" and are all developing great - but they're not due until the end of the month, so I can't tell you if it's affected the hatch rate yet.