Hi,
I just went through the same dilemma. I am a vegetarian and only eat unfertilized eggs from the store--and only cage free Country Hen brand eggs because I want cruelty free eggs. My mallards mate all the time, so now I have what are probably fertile eggs. I am very pro-life and believe that life begins at conception. I believe in fighting for animal life and valuing it. I just amputated my 16 year old dog and had him a doggy ICU for days rather than euthanizing him, and he is now doing great! I also refused to put down two of my mallards, one that was disabled and eventually died on its own, and one that is now swimming and flying in defiance of the first vet's prognosis. However, I do believe that God has given human beings dominion over animals. This means we are in charge, but it also means we should govern them well, and with care, no cruelty. We are therefore permitted to take the life of an animal, when we do so in a God-like way. On the other hand, we are not permtted to make decisions about the lives and deaths of our fellow human beings, becaust it is God who is in charge of human life. So I am morally justified in ending the life of an baby duck embryo by not allowing the eggs to be incubaed by their mother, whereas I am not biblically justified in committing abortion. I find the mandates for human and animal care in the Bible, especially in the book of Genesis. The Bible portrays a world that started out with human beings and animals in apparent harmony and vegetarianism. As a result of sin, the first animals were sacrificed, but God still did not give the animals to us for food. It was after the flood that he said he was giving us animals as He had given us vegeetables. But there are still reminders through the scriptures about treating animals well. There are also verses that remind us that human beins are more valuable than animals. Jesus and the prophets ate meat. But, as I said, the Bible talks about caring for animals. When Jesus returns, and he new Heaven and new Earth reign, there will be no more death or pain, and the lion shall lay with the lamb.I believe this indicates an end to animal suffering and death. I can give you all the Bible references if you would like to see them. Here is one I really like: Proverbs 12:10 says "Whoever is righteous has regard for the life of his beast, but the mercy of the wicked is cruel." I love that even in eating meat we are to have regard for the life of our anmals. I also love what Temple Grandin the charachter says in the movie about her actual life. She expresses in the movie that she would rather be butchered than eaten by a lion, but that as human beings we should humanely care for the cattle and then butcher them humanely. My call is to value the life of animals and to treat them as God treats me, with protection, care, and concern. However, I am in charge of them and can make the call as to whether ducklings are best. Right now, ducklings are not best for my flock. Now, I did not feel 12 ducks were right for me, either, but God allowed me to become their caregiver, and provided unlimited resources when I felt my resources were limited. And so I cared for them. Since I can in good conscience pick up their eggs, however, and feel He has given me the freedome to do so, I do. I hope to start using them as food for someone or some creature, but I have thrown some out. Hope that helps!
