Leaving eggs on the counter

[mjcalkins]

I typically will leave eggs on the counter, up to 2 weeks at a time (this works well for making hard boiled eggs, so I've noticed in my research!) - Now that we have roosters and the eggs are (hopefully) fertile, does that have any impact on leaving them on the counter rather than refrigerating them? Sorry for such a question - I wouldn't think it would matter (that's what my brain is telling me, anyway) as I know that without the momma hen or an incubator, the egg can't develop, so I AM ok with leaving them out, right??

BTW, no we haven't gotten sick from letting the eggs stay out.

 

[Chick Charm]

We also leave eggs out in a basket on the counter. I would be comfortable with 3 weeks myself but they never last that long. I would guess that the blastoderm might progress some but that is merely a guess. Lately no eggs last longer than 5 days here as we usually eat about 10 for breakfast. I do think I see a bigger dot at times. But nothing other than that.

 

[mjcalkins]

Thanks for your reply - yes, same here - eggs don't last long, anyway! My head knows it's fine, but I was still questioning whether it's ok, lol!

 

[Jessica Lynn]

You wouldn't want to do that if it's really hot in your house. One of the members on here had a duck egg start to develop on her kitchen counter! She posted pictures of it when she cracked it open. It had a tiny duckling embryo growing inside.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/545327/hot-enough-to-incubate-an-egg-graphic-egg-pic#post_6984058

 

[mjcalkins]

No, it's never above 80 in the house, even during the warmest months, thanks to having an old farmhouse.

 

[BettyR]

From what I've read fertile eggs stay fresh even longer than non fertile one do.

 

[mjcalkins]

Interesting! Thanks!