Abstract: A method and a device for treating poultry eggs with an electron beam bundle to sterilize the calcareous shell are disclosed. The method includes moving at least one egg through the beam path of an electron beam source; irradiating the eggs, whereby the calcareous shell is irradiated with a varying dose; and either carrying out an irradiation encompassing all regions of the calcareous shell of the egg by employing the electron beam bundle, whereby an element is inserted into the path of the electron beam bundle; carrying out an irradiation of a rolling/rolled egg by employing the electron beam source in the path of the electron beam bundle; or carrying out an irradiation of the held eggs by employing the electron beam source in the electron beam bundle path at a zero degree position of one side in a device arranged upstream of a turning device.