Unsecure chicken perches

[pullusleggus]

I had 6 eggs which I placed under my chicken last Thursday. On Friday she had broken one and the others were covered in egg and cold. In retrospect I think I should have cleaned them there and then but I wasn't sure which would be worst - cleaning them with the risks that carries or leaving them and hoping their bloom would keep them safe. I didn't have much faith they'd survive anyway.

 

I candled them tonight and all have masses in them. Two have possible bacterial rings and I'll check them again tomorrow. One has a large red mass which I'm afraid may include some free blood (is that possible?). None have visible blood vessels.

 

Do you think I should clean the eggs now and if so how? Or should I just let nature run its course - just removing any clearly bad eggs as necessary? Are they actually all dead - they don't look like the pictures I've seen?!

 

T

[Egluntyne]

I'd leave them a few more days and then re candle. If they are all duds, perhaps you could source some more fertilised eggs and sneak them under her.

[Redwing]

I wouldnt clean them now its too late really

 

Opinion differs widely on whether you should clean them at all but its generally agreed either clean them before you start or not at all

 

I am working away this week but back home Friday evening, if you'd like me to come and take a look at them when you candle I'd be more than happy to

[laurmurf]

I'd bought some eggs from ebay from 3 different sellers and 2 lots were fairly dirty. I wish I'd cleaned them because when the broody broke on and it smeared on the others the bacterial load for the whole sitting was too much and they all rotted. Waste of money, hope and a good broody.

 

From now on I'd clean gently with a good egg cleaner and then set, but not in the middle.

[pullusleggus]

I wouldnt clean them now its too late really

 

Opinion differs widely on whether you should clean them at all but its generally agreed either clean them before you start or not at all

 

I am working away this week but back home Friday evening, if you'd like me to come and take a look at them when you candle I'd be more than happy to

 

Thanks for the offer Redwing, it is very kind of you. I may take you up on it if I remain confused but I candled earlier and I'm certain one is good and only one now looks really iffy. I'll check again over the weekend but I'll plan to get a stronger light for it. When I took them out this time they felt quite 'waxy' so I assume they are quite well covered in chicken sweat etc (assuming chickens sweat!?) and cleaning them would be a bad thing as it would remove what feels like a nice barrier.

 

Thanks for the advice everyone. I've been surprised at how much the eggs are bothering me so I'm sorry I keep asking for advice. Good to know others are so knowledgeable and happy to share.

 

T x