should i wash my eggs before i incubate them ?

[chickenmama109]

when i get my incubator should i wash the eggs before i put them in and how di i wash them can i just run them under water

 

[junebuggena]

Washing eggs removes the protective bloom that naturally protects the inside of the egg from bacterias. Unless the eggs are covered in poo, there is no need to wash them. It is important that your incubator is completely sterilized prior to setting eggs, though.

 

[chickenmama109]

how do you steriliz the incubator

 

[junebuggena]

how do you steriliz the incubator

Depends on the incubator. Mine is very easy to disassemble and wipe down with Clorox disinfecting wipes.

 

[chickenmama109]

is that all you have to do

 

[Crazy for Chickens!]

Definitely DO NOT wash incubating eggs! Just as junebugggena said, it washes off the protective layer.

 

[venymae]

Nope no washing necessary unless you want to get NPIP certification.

 

[junebuggena]

is that all you have to do

That's all I do. But you have to remember to get everywhere, including the heating elements and the fan blades.

 

[chickenmama109]

thanks im going to get a still air incubator so i dont think it comes with a fan it that ok or do they need one

 

[junebuggena]

thanks im going to get a still air incubator so i dont think it comes with a fan it that ok or do they need one

Forced air makes things a bit easier. With still air, you need to incubate at a slightly higher temps, and you need to be sure to change the position of the eggs around the incubator to help reduce the impacts of hot spots and cold zones. Otherwise, the eggs that spend the whole of the incubation period in the warm spots will hatch much sooner than the eggs in the cool zones, making hatching a long and drawn out process.