Best Practices for Cleaning Eggs Before Incubation

[EggsAndThings]

How do you clean your hatching eggs before putting them in the incubator? Ive heard mixed advice some say to leave them alone, while others recommend cleaning to prevent bacteria. If you do clean them, what method works best without damaging the eggs or the bloom?

[CoopCaptain]

I only hatch clean eggs. If it's dirty enough to need washing, I leave it out to avoid contamination risks.

[ChickenChick]

I avoid washing hatching eggs because the bloom is essential for keeping bacteria out. However, if an egg has a little dirt, I gently dry-clean it with a soft-bristle brush or a clean cloth. For stubborn spots, I use a lightly damp cloth with warm water, but I never scrub hard or soak the egg. I also make sure my nesting boxes stay clean so I collect the cleanest possible eggs for incubation. Clean eggs reduce the risk of contamination without needing washing. If an egg is heavily soiled, I don't incubate it , it's not worth the risk of introducing bacteria to the whole batch.

[PluckyPioneer]

If I must clean, I use a damp paper towel with warm water and very gentle pressure. Never soak the eggs!