Rooster/Egg fertilization Questions

[Dirt Girl]

Hello all,

I am new to the chicken world and have a few questions, well a few more questions. Ha!

I have 10 chickens, all raised from days old chicks. I ended up with one rooster - my light brahma. He is a gorgeous bird and so far (5.5 months old) hasn't shown any signs of aggression. I have 7 other breeds - RIR, BO, JG, BR, Wyandotte, Ameraucana and a Black Copper Maran. (Sorry, I don't know the abbreviations for those.)

My concern is that I don't want chicks. I like my little flock and don't want to add to it (for now.) I just got my first egg today (YAY!!!) and I know if I collect them everyday I should be fine, right? So my questions are: 1 - Do I have to immediately refrigerate the eggs now because they are most likely fertilized? 2 - I travel quite a bit and may not be able to get the eggs everyday, so then am I SOL? What's the timeframe on collection?

I really love watching the rooster. He's so pretty and I'd hate to get rid of him but if I ever cracked an egg to cook and an embryo came out, I feel I may be scarred for life.

Thanks so much for your answers!

 

[Kevin565]

Yes as long as you collect them you will be fine. I don't raise chickens so I'm not sure the exact timeline before things start developing. It takes the right conditions for things to develop and it's highly unlikely a hen would just sit on one egg.

 

[Lots A Cluckin]

well if you traveled the eggs would be fine for a few days..because you have breeds that dont go broody that often so the only time the eggs would have the right heat and humidity would be when some one is laying an egg and they should not be in the nesting box long enough to get the egg heated up to the right temp..so I would say keep or roo and travel for a few day if need be..they should be fine

 

[Dirt Girl]

Awesome! Thank you!

 

[donrae]

Even in 90 degree weather I don't always collect daily and have NEVER had a partially developed chick. I've left eggs up to three days and had no problems. I also don't usually put them in the fridge, they sit on the counter.

 

[SharChe]

Thanks for posting this question - it was the exact question I came to the forum to post today