I hope I have this in the right place. Opened egg question w/pic.

[amarook]

Till my girls are laying, I have decided to make sure I buy only eggs from cage free chickens.

Today I was making myself some eggs for lunch, and when I cracked the first one opened... Well it looked like this.

My question is, what does that mean? Was that a fertilized egg that was just starting to develop? Or something else.

I'm sure I'll get used to seeing this sort of stuff once I'm getting eggs... I just have to get used to it. I gave it to the dog.
lol

The other 2 I cracked had white stuff too, but not so much.

What is that white stuff? I've always wondered.


THANKS!

 

[rebelcowboysnb]

I believe thats the membrane that holds the yoke centered in the shell. Nothing to do with fertility, just healthier eggs. Second pic didn't work.


Now the second pic is working. Yes that's the centering membrane.

 

[xpButtercup]

I think the little reddish-brown fleck is what's called a "meat spot" ... doesn't bother anyone in my family or the people who buy my eggs, I just tell them it's "normal" and they don't care.

 

[SweetMissDaisy]

Good info online if you search for "anatomy of an egg".
Here's a site I like where you will find the below image:
http://www.aeb.org/LearnMore/EggSafety.htm

 

[amarook]

Thanks!

 

[mrsgibber]

Quote:
That's cool. Now I know all there is to know about an egg.

 

[Chicky Tocks]

Lucky dog!

 

[favoritekitty]

I know this is aggravating, but "cage free" can sometimes suck just as badly as "caged" eggs. Unless you know the company, if they are labled as cage free then they are most likely raised in a run packed like sardines. They get to walk about the floor but there usually isnt any room for them TO move. If you are able, local eggs are best.

This is a good, informative website from The Humane Society explaining the different meanings.

http://www.organization.org/farm/resources/pubs/animal_welfare_claims_on_egg_cartons.html