Mother Earth News did quite a study on eggs. Briefly, they are edible for about 6 months in the fridge, though top quality doesn't last that long. No flavor difference and no nutritional difference between fertilized and unfertilized.
Roosters do serve several purposes besides the obvious, though. They keep a good social order among the hens and certainly protect them from predators (as well as a ~10 lb. bird can) to the point of giving their life as a decoy, among other things. And they are beautiful! If you get a broody, the best way to break her is give her fertile eggs or chicks. You could always hatch a few and sell the chicks, or give them away. Just to name some.
But I'm prejudiced, I love my roos and love to hear crowing, which I never hear when I'm asleep. I'm listening to one vocal fellow as I type.
Roosters do serve several purposes besides the obvious, though. They keep a good social order among the hens and certainly protect them from predators (as well as a ~10 lb. bird can) to the point of giving their life as a decoy, among other things. And they are beautiful! If you get a broody, the best way to break her is give her fertile eggs or chicks. You could always hatch a few and sell the chicks, or give them away. Just to name some.
But I'm prejudiced, I love my roos and love to hear crowing, which I never hear when I'm asleep. I'm listening to one vocal fellow as I type.
