should i wash/rinse my eggs before putting them in the incubator

[snazzyboots]

i just got a dozen eggs from a friend today. they have some poop and dirt(i guess) on them. i have seen a lot of opinions here. so should i rinse them? is having some stuff on them ok? i am also incubating 2 dozen shipped eggs. it is my first time as well. any advice would be appreciated. thanks all

 

[mmaddie's mom]

I'm new to this incubating thing also and had this same question about a week ago... was told "don't wash"... just scrape off the biggest clumps. My understanding is that it is better to have the "bloom" still on w/some dirt than to have clean eggs w/no bloom.
Good Luck!

 

[snazzyboots]

thanks. that's what i thought but i also don't want bacteria in there. the one thing about this whole incubating process that scares me the most is exploding eggs. yuck. i really don't want to have to deal with that.

 

[snazzyboots]

i also just looked closely at my shipped eggs. a couple of them have scratches that may be cracks. i can't tell. should i toss them?

 

[mmaddie's mom]

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I don't feel knowledgable enough to answer that question so I will leave it up to someone who is. Anyone?

 

[sgtmom52]

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You should candle them and discard any that have cracks.

 

[slickchik]

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Do you have a light for candling? A crack usually shows up pretty well when candled...

 

[snazzyboots]

i have a lg flashlight. they are pretty dark eggs so i'm not sure i'll be able to see anything but i'll try. thanks