Really dirty hatching eggs

[cwalter141]

Been so excited about eggs i ordered from a breeder. Got them today and one broke in the box. Some are REALLY dirty.
I have never washed eggs except maybe for eating.
These eggs were real expensive.
Put em in dirty, or listerine and water wash?

 

[neo71665]

I would wipe them off with a dry rag to get off what easily comes off. I wouldn't wash or scrub them. I promise ya my chickens have hatched dirtier eggs.

 

[JustAChickenLoverOverHere]

Leave them. You’d rather have a better hatch rate by leaving their protective outer layer than give them a harder time to survive.

 

[LadiesAndJane]

I would try to clean them off best I could without scrubbing. A little water would be OK, like a damp paper towel.
I tried incubating some shipped eggs last year that came that way from a breeder, and these were expensive eggs. I did not clean them. None hatched and about half developed blood rings, so I assume the dirt was not a good thing in my case anyway.

 

[cwalter141]

Thank you i was leaning towards putting them in as is

 

[LadiesAndJane]

Also, if one of the eggs is broken, they were not likely packed very well. Make sure to check the aircells, so you know what you are dealing with.

 

[cwalter141]

Also, if one of the eggs is broken, they were not likely packed very well. Make sure to check the aircells, so you know what you are dealing with.

Great advice. Thank you!