Eggs can be gathered daily, placed either on their side or upright, and maintained at between 65 and 70 F. Eggs should be turned several times a day. Collection of eggs and proper handling is important to successful hatching. Many producers use disposable gloves to handle and gather eggs. Others use a similar idea employing disposable plastic bags while still others simply wash and clean their hands thoroughly before handling eggs. Which ever the case, the idea is to prevent unnecessary contamination of the egg.
Many products are available for cleaning and sanitizing eggs once collected.
A variety of dips, sprays, and similar products are marketed and used widely. While the use of such agents is heavily debated, should contamination problems occur, the use of cleaners and sanitation products can be effective. If dips, sprays, or washes are used, read the directions carefully and follow the recommended procedures outlined by the manufacturer. Eggs laid in wet weather are the most likely to become contaminated. This is usually the result of soil bacteria being taken into the egg while the egg is sitting in water or mud.