Washing eggs before incubation??

[dancingbear]

I did some googling on the subject, to see exactly how hatcheries do this. They either fumigate or wash/sanitize, not both. The sanitizing agents used to disinfect the eggs can be pretty harsh, yet they have a high hatch rate. For example, formalin and potassium permanganate, both highly toxic, is what they use to fumigate the eggs. They have a higher hatch rate than untreated, unwashed eggs.

So for me, that pretty much settles the question. Next hatch I'm sanitizing my eggs before I set them in the 'bator. One of the higher hatchability sanitizers is a 10% solution of chlorine bleach and water. (I'll wash the eggs in warm water and mild detergent, dipping eggs in water, not letting them soak in it, rinse, and dip in the bleach solution, let dry on a rack.) I'd rather use that than risk gassing myself with the fumigation chemicals.

 

[mom2chicksandpups]

Thanks for the info.

 

[Lextextrapper]

I have washed my eggs with plain water for years and always had good hatches. I might try the 10% bleach to 90% water solution next time just to see if it makes a difference.

 

[CindyS]

If the egg is really dirty, more than likely the egg has already been invaded with bacteria, if it just has a chunk or so on it its probably ok. I wash all my duck eggs, and will set a chicken egg if dirty-if its a valuable egg, otherwise I toss it. TURKEY EGGS are the ones to watch out for. If they are dirty or if you have washed them WATCH OUT. EVERY egg that I have had an explosion disaster has been a turkey egg. They become full of black juice! TWICE have had an egg pop in my hands while turning, these eggs did not stink so it was a total suprise!

 

[banter]

WATERFOWL-The key is to use warm water to wash BRIEFLY under warm and running water as not to draw bacteria into the egg.Pick off the icky stuff first. If you have a clean egg, don't wash it. I am suspect of chlorinated water, I would use the purest water available.

 

[Tailfeathers]

Hi,

I have tried both and found there to be no noticeable difference either way. I have finally decided that washing eggs is the way to go. The less risk of bacteria the better for me.

Out of 24 Ameraucana eggs set last month, 6 candled clear at Day 12 and most of those were VERY porous eggs (which would lend to bacteria problems had they not been washed). Of the remaining 18 I left, all 18 hatched.

God Bless,

 

[TimG]

Quote:
If bacteria develops on the unwashed eggs, might it go airborne and affect the other eggs? That is, having the washed and unwashed eggs in the same incubator could mess with your results.