Wash The Eggs - Before - Or No?

[Eagle2026]

I would like to know if washing your eggs before setting them is a good idea.
Some people say that is bad?
Would like to know what you have the best success with?
Thanks,
Mike

 

[Hangin Wit My Peeps]

No most here leave them as is UNLESS they have poo on them then simply take a little sand paper and gently wipe off. They need the protective bloom on them during incubation.

Good luck with your hatching!

 

[Hangin Wit My Peeps]

Also wanted to add: I don't even wash mine when I sell for eating eggs (as long as they are clean) I just tell my customers to gently wash under warm water before cracking them open. They last longer that way. A LOT longer.

 

[Eagle2026]

sandpaper is better than warm water?

 

[Hangin Wit My Peeps]

If you use it gently (on the poo only) trying not to touch the egg at all, that way its spot cleaning not running the water over the whole egg itself and then having to wipe it dry. Mine are usually very clean so I only had to do that once and that egg is now a happy hen in my hen house

 

[Eagle2026]

I'll give it the sandpaper treatment then.
I have to set about 30 and a couple of them have poo on one side.
Could even be mud as it is raining here and my chickens don't mind so much as long as they can go in the run.
Mike

 

[ScratchesWithChickens]

I've been wondering if I did the right thing with some very dirty d'uccle eggs I got in the mail yesterday. I know that it's best to leave them be but they were pretty dirty so I went ahead and gently wiped them clean. I used RO(reverse osmosis) water and q-tips. I didn't want to use tap water with all that chlorine, calcium and other junk in it. Hope everything turns out ok.

-Alex

 

[Southernbelle]

I choose not to wash the eggs, even if they're dirty.

 

[Keene's coop]

i don't even wash the eggs before eating them.

 

[Eagle2026]

Looks to me like my buddy finally taught me something.
With the help of all of you I believe.
I have been hatching for awhile and always wiped them down with a damp cloth.
Until I got to talking about it with my friend that said I will have an even better hatch rate if I don't.
Who knew, I guess everyone except for me.
Thanks!