Hello, I am new to chickens :) HELP!!!!

[Lookingforinfo]

Hello, my name is M.

I am trying to start raising chickens however my Mother is terrified that she will crack an egg one day to find that it has a baby chick in it. I know this is a basic question, but if anyone could please tell me the difference between a fertilized egg and one I could use for breakfast I would be ever so grateful.

M.

 

[Hillbilly Hen]

&

If you don't get a rooster then you won't ever have to worry about it. Or you could gather the eggs every day and it won't be a problem. Good luck and welcome to the addiction!!

 

[TrystInn]

Well, first off - no rooster, no fertilized egg. Easy-peasy.

Secondly, if you grab the egg the day it's laid or the next, while it will be fertilized, its perfectly safe to eat. You'll just notice a target or spot on the yolk to let you know its fertilized. Worst case scenario, you might find a blood spot, just spoon it out and eat the rest.

In fact, fertilized eggs are always safe to eat, its merely our cultural norms that most Americans won't eat developed fertilized eggs. In many parts of Asia, they are gourmet foods.

 

[b.hromada]

Just as Hillbilly Hen said!

Hi M!

from S. Florida! Its great to have you here with us! You will learn a lot of great information on this forum.

 

[mychookschick]

Listen to them! They are experienced and know what they are talking about! I have recieved info from numerous people on this forum and now I can help people that ask questions! (I STILL have LOTS of questions!)

 

[Judy]

You will never know they are fertile unless you have a broody or put it in an incubator. A fertile egg must be incubated to start developing. I've had chickens and roosters for years and have never even seen the beginning of development.

Occasionally you will see a little blood or a dark fleck or two. These have nothing to do with fertile and are safe to eat.

It's not that easy to tell fertile from infertile. Here's how -- some very interesting pics: https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=16008

 

[eggboy]

My eggs have little specks of blood inside all the time and I don't have a rooster but it's nothing to worry about.

 

[Gallo del Cielo]

Greetings from Tucson and

Good luck convincing your mom!

 

[Kat's Silly Chickens]

All our more experienced greeters above are right I was afraid of that when I 1st helped raise chickens, and since we collected eggs every day we had no problems with them.