5 Ways to Clean and Prepare Chicken Eggs Before Hatching

Step 1. Do not wash the eggs, unless the shells are very dirty

The eggshell has a natural protection to prevent bacteria from entering the egg. The natural protection is lost if the eggs are washed. Slightly dirty eggs can be hatched. So, you don't need to wash your eggs thoroughly before storing them.

• Eggs should be stored for at least 3 days before hatching. If you're worried that your eggs will get dirty while you're storing them, cover the top of the box. Also, you can cover the egg storage container with a little dry straw or a few sheets of newspaper.
• If you are concerned about clean eggs being contaminated, separate clean eggs from dirty eggs before hatching.

Step 1. Wet a soft cloth with water slightly warmer than the temperature of the eggshell

The warm water will moisten the dirt on the eggshell without harming the embryo inside. Gently wipe the eggshell with a damp cloth to remove any dirt, but don't press too hard. Carefully wipe the eggshells with a dry cloth before placing them in a cardboard box over another storage container.

• Alternatively, rub the egg shells with the finest sandpaper to remove dirt. Clean the eggs slowly and very carefully because the shells can crack or break when cleaned with sandpaper.
• To prevent the eggs from cracking, do not use cold, cool, or hot water when cleaning the eggs.
• Do not use cleaning liquids, soaps, or chemicals to keep the embryo inside the egg safe and the shell not damaged.

Question 3 of 5: Can washed eggs be hatched?

Step 1. Yes, as long as the eggshells are completely dry and the eggs are stored properly

Eggs do not become damaged or problematic from washing. Eggs should not be hatched if the shell is cracked, the shape is abnormal, or the size is very large/small. Eggs in this condition are more likely to not hatch and can contaminate other eggs if they contain bacteria or are infected with disease.

Washing eggshells increases the risk of problems during the hatching process, but that doesn't mean the eggs won't hatch

Question 4 of 5: How to prepare eggs before hatching?

Step 1. Store eggs in a room where the temperature is maintained between 13-16°C

Make sure the humidity in the room is between 70-75%. Take time to turn the eggs a little one at a time every day so that the embryo does not stick to the egg shell. Store eggs for up to 10 days before hatching. The condition of the eggs is not good so it is likely that they will not hatch if they are stored for more than 10 days.

• Do not forget to wash and dry your hands before handling the eggs so that the eggshells are not contaminated with bacteria.
• Clean the incubator, then let it stay on for 2-3 days before filling the eggs.
• Apart from maintaining a stable temperature and humidity, there is no special preparation for hatching. Remove cracked eggs and ensure that the incubator temperature is maintained between 21-27°C.

Question 5 of 5: How to determine fertile eggs before hatching?

Step 1. You can only determine which eggs will hatch after the incubation period runs for 10 days

For that, prepare an LED flashlight or a regular flashlight, then turn on the light. Take the egg carefully, then aim the flashlight at the egg. If the egg shell is white, the infertile egg will glow like a light bulb, while the healthy egg will not glow. If the eggshell is brown, inside the healthy egg there is a small, spider-like reddish area, while in the infertile egg there is a red ring instead of a collection of blood vessels.

• This step is known as "watching" the egg.
• If an egg with a glowing white shell or an egg with a brown shell shows a red ring, throw it away because these eggs are infertile and will definitely not hatch. In addition, healthy eggs are at risk of damage if eggs whose embryos die from contamination remain in the incubator.