Dirty Ecky Eggs

[SamDavis]

I've got an Eclectus hen whose on 3 eggs and they're all fertile! They're due to hatch in about a week, but I noticed today that they're covered in poop. I'm a bit concerned it'll be difficult for the chicks to hatch. Should I attempt to clean them? And if so how should I go about it?

[jusdeb]

If I have this right ...from my observations just before the babies begin to pip the parents will soak their chest/belly in water to add humidity to the nest box and moisten the eggs .
This should be enough to soften any crap on the egg and it should rub off onto the parent bird .

Sooo me , I wouldn't risk touching the egg especially so close to hatch time .

Just my opinion , hope someone else can agree or disagree with this so your question is answered.

[Buzzard-1]

Don't touch them !!!!!

[SamDavis]

Ok, will leave them alone.
The hen was handraised so is very tolerant of nest inspection, if that makes a difference. Looking again this morning it's really only one egg that has quite thick dried poop around about one third of the hatching end. I was thinking of maybe using a syringe to place a drop or two of water onto the poop in the hope this would soften it such that it will drop off by itself (or with help from the hen). Is this also a dumb idea?

[jusdeb]

The hen will take care of it , seriously if Eckies are like other parrots she will be in there with a wet belly in the next few days which will do exactly what you plan to do without human interferance .

Up to you , your birds after all . Just my opinion.

[jusdeb]

Hey Sam ,just wondering if all went well with the poopy egg .?