Fertilized Eggs??

[PamB]

Since my cockeral is now mating, I have a question. I've read that it is fine to eat fertilized eggs. However, I've also read many posts about how customers do not want fertized eggs. I don't sell eggs and don't plan to, but I'm wondering why they don't want them if it is fine to eat them? Do they taste different?

 

[ChickenDreamer]

The eggs taste no different. I think people just don't like the idea of it.

 

[LeghornLisa]

Keep in mind that fertilization is all about temperature. Once you put the egg in the frig it is no longer fertilized.

 

[A.T. Hagan]

Quote:
That would be a shock to the many chicks and poults I've hatched from refrigerated eggs!

Development of the fertilized egg is all about temperature. Until you supply sufficient warmth a fertilized egg is not going to do anything more than an unfertilized one.

Which has nothing to do with why some people do not want to eat fertilized eggs.

 

[woodmort]

When it comes to eggs, there is a difference between being fertile and development. Basically a fertile egg is nothing more than an egg with an extra cell--the male gamete--until such time as it reaches aprox. 99-degrees F for a day or two. At this point the actual development of the embryo begins. Some people are afraid that if an egg is fertile they will be eating a chick which is not true unless whoever is collecting them took the eggs out from under a brooding hen. Other people are put off by the thought of eating rooster sperm which is also not true since only a single male cell actually is enclosed in the egg's shell. Basically there is little difference in taste or any other quality between a fertile and unfertile egg. BTW, some people prefer fertile eggs and there are some that are sold that way. Apparently it is assumed all commercial eggs are not fertile so those that are, are labeled as such.