David

[chookydoos]

Hi,

 

I was told by a friend that if you clean/wash the eggshell it starts to dissolve, is this right?

 

Thanks,

Lisa.

[Snowy]

When the egg is laid it has a protective coating on the shell. If you wash it, the coating is removed and the shell becomes porous allowing bacteria to enter the egg. There are chemicals you buy for safe washing, but I think the accepted wisdom is no washing, just use dry kitchen towel to remove any excess gubbins from the shell.

[chookydoos]

Thanks for that. I clean mine of 'stuff' using a sponge and warm water before I use them just in case a piece of dirty shell gets mixed up.

 

I sometimes think it's nice to give them a bit of a clean before giving them away.

 

Chances are that the egg has been in the nest most of the day and the protective coating will have dried.

 

 

 

Lisa.

[Cinnamon]

If you do have to clean them,then use hand hot water as this stops any bacteria that already on the shell from getting in.

I prefer to give mine a clean sometimes,as you honestly wouldn't want to use some of them ,they are so dirty.

I think that this time of year its especially bad with their muddy feet & all

[cherryblossom]

Thanks for that. I clean mine of 'stuff' using a sponge and warm water before I use them just in case a piece of dirty shell gets mixed up.

 

I sometimes think it's nice to give them a bit of a clean before giving them away.

 

Chances are that the egg has been in the nest most of the day and the protective coating will have dried.

 

 

 

Lisa.

 

I believe the protective coating is supposed to dry, but it is still protecting.

Washing them just before you use them should be fine, but you wouldn't want to do it too much before.