How long do hens stay "fertile"?

[goatkeepers]

I have been letting my three hens free range during the day and just now when I went to close them up for the night, I saw that the neighbors rooster was in there with them! I don't want to take the chance and eat a fertilized egg; so how long do I need to wait until their eggs will be un-fertile again?
Thanks so much!!

 

[RooptyDoo]

I am not really sure. I guess I am not much help but, you can eat fertilized eggs.

 

[what was i thinking]

you don't want to eat fertilized eggs? you can. it is my understanding a month

 

[goatkeepers]

Well, we are both vegetarians so eating fertilized eggs is too weird for us..
A month is a long time!

 

[Mrs.Puff]

Hens will lay fertile eggs for as long as a month. You might consider that a fertile egg is not necessarily growing into a chick. They don't grow until they are incubated. It's just a potential life in there, but not exactly alive, in a sense.

 

[swtangel321]

You should be fine to eat them in 2 weeks, like the others said there is no reason (even if your a veg) that you cant eat them... Nothing forms inside of them in till the are incubated by a hen or a bator. So in till they are incubated they are just like any other egg.

Here is a post that can help you tell if an egg is fertile why dont you crack a few open to see if they are (never know maybe the rooster didnt get all your hens)
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=16008

 

[goatkeepers]

Thanks!

 

[tattooedchickenlady]

Not to totally freak you out, but didn't somebody here incubate store bought eggs and have development? So, what I'm saying is that even store bought eggs have the potential to be fertile.

 

[swtangel321]

Quote:
Yes, wish I could remember the store they got them from...
Ohhh.... I think it was Safeway ??? Does that sound right ??

I know someone got a chick from one of the eggs !!

 

[tattooedchickenlady]

That was it! Crazy stuff......

IDK, not being a vegetarian, I don't have an issue with eating fertilized eggs, but I can see how someone would.

My way to look at it though, it's a wonderful present from your chickens. They give it to you with love.