Rooster or no rooster?

[goody64]

So this is my first go at owning chickens. People who claim to know about chickens and how to raise them say that I should not get a rooster because he will fertilize the eggs from my hens. They are telling me that once this happens then the egg will not be good to eat. My question is, if I have 8 hens and one rooster will I be able to still eat eggs/ sell eggs to friends and family?
Thank u, Matt

 

[TwoCrows]

Not true! Fertile eggs are perfectly good to eat and some say they even taste better with the rooster juice in them!

Now, not all people like to eat fertile eggs, knowing that they have been fertilized, LOL,so just be aware if you are selling these eggs.

Welcome to BYC and enjoy all your poultry adventures!

 

[elch]

I eat fertilized eggs, as long as they weren't brooded.

 

[WindStep]

They are fine unless they have stayed under heat for a few days.

 

[goody64]

That's what I thought. As long as we are collecting them daily. Thank you

 

[Kelsie2290]

Hello and Welcome To BYC! X4, they are fine to eat, most people can't even tell if an egg has been fertilized, just be sure they haven't been brooded.

 

[WalkingOnSunshine]

There is only a small difference between a fertilized egg and an unfertilized one. The germinal disk thins out slightly in the center. That's IT until the egg has been at 99 degrees for 18 hours or so (the temperature of a hen sitting on them). Ever wondered why all the chicks in a clutch hatch at once even though the eggs might have been laid over a 10 day period? The eggs are in suspended animation (kinda) until they are at the right temperature for enough time.

Check the photos:

(photo by gabbardhatchingeggs.com)

We have 75 laying hens and three roosters. Some of our eggs are fertilized, some are not. We sell to a grocery store. No one knows the difference.

 

[goody64]

Thank u. The photos were helpful.

 

[sourland]

Welcome to BYC X 5 on eating fertile eggs. Understand that a rooster is not needed unless you are counting on hatching eggs. Some roosters can become aggressive and cause more problems than joy.

 

[goody64]

Right, I understand that. However I've been told that if they will be free to roam the yard it is a good idea to have one rooster for protection. Is this false? What do y'all think?