Laying hen/roo

[Tclow1518]

Hey all,
I have laying hens and I might get a rooster. My question is: if the roo has his way with the hens and the eggs get fertilized can they still be eaten ? The eggs are collected daily
Thanks

 

[xiao]

Hey all,
I have laying hens and I might get a rooster. My question is: if the roo has his way with the hens and the eggs get fertilized can they still be eaten ? The eggs are collected daily
Thanks

Yes those eggs are fine to eat

 

[nuthatched]

Yes, why wouldn't they? They aren't going to grow into embryos until at least 24 hours of incubation.

 

[neo71665]

You won't know the difference in eggs. They will cook and taste the exact same

 

[Ridgerunner]

if the roo has his way with the hens and the eggs get fertilized can they still be eaten ?

Not if, when. They will be fertilized.

What is your specific concern if you have one? Physically there is no difference in taste, texture, or nutrition. People have been eating fertilized eggs since people have been eating eggs. It won't hurt you. If you collect daily and don't keep them at warm temperatures nothing will develop in there.

Some people have religious, moral, or ethical concerns or questions about this. We can discuss those, I hope respectfully, if that is your concern. I just need to know what your actual concern is.

 

[rascal66]

Perfectly fine to eat! The eggs would need to be incubated for about 24 hours under temps near 100° to begin to develop anything.

 

[Chuckadoodledo]

Collecting every day or two is fine. Three or more and you may start to see something growing. Of course even then you can still totally eat them... considered a delicacy in some parts! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balut_(food)

 

[Tclow1518]

Yes, why wouldn't they? They aren't going to grow into embryos until at least 24 hours of incubation.

Well...I'm new to owning hens and didn't want any extra surprises is all.

 

[Tclow1518]

Not if, when. They will be fertilized.

What is your specific concern if you have one? Physically there is no difference in taste, texture, or nutrition. People have been eating fertilized eggs since people have been eating eggs. It won't hurt you. If you collect daily and don't keep them at warm temperatures nothing will develop in there.

Some people have religious, moral, or ethical concerns or questions about this. We can discuss those, I hope respectfully, if that is your concern. I just need to know what your actual concern is.

I was concerned about a relative cracking open an egg and getting a unwanted surprise.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Hey all,
I have laying hens and I might get a rooster. My question is: if the roo has his way with the hens and the eggs get fertilized can they still be eaten ? The eggs are collected daily
Thanks

YES.

My flock is in my sig, below. We eat eggs most days. The Roosters (I need to cull more) have access tot he hens all the time. Only a tiny fraction of the eggs I eat aren't fertilized.

That said, give some thought to why you want a rooster - they aren't needed for most back yard flocks - and check your zoning, to ensure you are allowed to have a rooster.

And I collect three times a day, sometimes more. FDA allows a MUCH lower rate of collection. Every other day is fine. Not for ducks, and other ground laying birds, depending on your ground. (My clays are VERY good at defeating the bloom and causing contamination of my duck's eggs, leading to failed incubations - on of the reasons I collect so frequently.)