Dirty Eggs

Kylie · **Posted:** Fri Jan 25, 2008 10:37 am

I received a dozen pekin bantam eggs in the mail today to go under a broody hen, I have them settling at the moment and will be setting them tomorrow night. Some of the eggs are dirty, i've been reading not to set dirty eggs but not to clean them either. I'm not sure what to do, any info on this would be great.. :-?

Cheers
Kam31

Stt · **Joined:** Sun Aug 19, 2007 7:01 pm **Posts:** 3006

hi i dont think dirty eggs are a problem as i had some eggs hatch today that were dirty.

stuart

Happyhenz. · **Joined:** Mon Aug 20, 2007 10:49 am **Posts:** 607

if you do want to clean them gentley wipe them over with a warm wash cloth.
make sure it is warm or the egg will draw in germs.
I would personally just set them

elfael · **Posted:** Fri Jan 25, 2008 12:13 pm

I have heard that a light rubbing with fine sandpaper will remove dried dirt/poo without harming the egg. Haven't tried it though.

Kylie · **Posted:** Fri Jan 25, 2008 12:40 pm

Thanx guys for your advice, really appreciate it. I think i might just set them and see how we go. I emailed the lady who i bought them from and she said she hasn't had any probs either (she breeds pekin bantams). Will be setting them tomorrow night so fingers crossed

Its all very exciting.. :-D

Hope we have a good hatch..

Thanx again...

Deans' Poultry · **Posted:** Fri Jan 25, 2008 6:34 pm

Hey there Kylie,

Unless the eggs are really caked with dirt and poo i generally don't worry about scraping it off

We've been incubating pekin and d'uccle eggs lately that are absolutely filthy but still getting good hatch rates

On the outter edge of the egg is a protective membrane which is there to add some resistance to disease as an egg is pourous ie absorbs moisture,air If you go scratching that membrane off, the egg is more suseptable to the nasties

Kylie · **Posted:** Fri Jan 25, 2008 8:00 pm

thanx Darren, i'm going to set them as they are, in 3 weeks i should have babys :lol:

.. and thanks everyone for the advice, its greatly appreciated.

jo-chicken · **Posted:** Fri Jan 25, 2008 8:19 pm

I spray every egg I incubate with spray and wipe. It's great and has no effect on fertility. Spray them with as much as you need to get rid of the dirt. Worst thing is, if the eggs are dirty it is highly likely that the hens were running on mud, or laying on it which WILL effect the fertility. I think it is wrong for these people to have sent you dirty eggs!

Anyway use spray-and-wipe with paper towl, when it gets too contaminated throw away and get clean, make sure you dry each egg carefully. Put in the incubate as soon as you have wiped all the eggs over (or same day), the moisture will come out of shell and join humidity of incubator. Goodluck

jo-chicken · **Posted:** Fri Jan 25, 2008 8:23 pm

I have to say that be aware of the dangers of not cleaning eggs, i.e. introducing someone else's virus or bacteria, disease etc. into your incubator. I would strongly recommend cleaning with a disenfectant. I have never had chicks die while still on my own property even form eggs bought and I beleive it is alot to do with how clean I keep my incubator.

Kylie · **Posted:** Fri Jan 25, 2008 8:29 pm

Hi jo-chicken, does that go for putting them under a broody hen also?

AUSTRALIAN POULTRY FORUM™

Dirty Eggs

Who is on the Forum