We have a rooster but do not want baby chicks.

[bobbi-j]

Your eggs will not start to develop when sitting on the counter. For incubation to begin, the eggs need to be at a certain temperature (roughly 100*) for 24 hours - this usually happens when a hen goes broody or eggs are put in an incubator. Refrigerating will also make sure they don't start to develop.

 

[fancychicklady]

Thank u! I started to worry that maybe by leaving then out on the counter I would crack open an egg to cook and find something else. I wasn't planning on having a rooster but got him for protection & I love him. Just don't want chicks until I'm ready!

 

[Jami F]

What do I do with the new eggs. Just wash off and eat?

 

[Selgar]

you don't need a rooster, but they are helpful if they don't get mean. they will always have an eye on the sky and for other dangers. they are helpful to the hens in finding food. they also round out the chicken social dynamics.

you don't need them, though. also, fertilized eggs are no different to eat the nonfertilized eggs. most people see a fleck of blood and assume it's a fertile egg, when that fleck of blood has nothing to do with fertilization (there are pictures on here of how to tell fert. vs unfert.). the chick doesn't even start to form until the hen starts sitting on them, and even if she was, a day isn't going to make a difference.

some here have purchased home capo kits, allowing you to do surgery and neuter your rooster. he will be different afterwards, and some have reported they sometimes go broody.

or, the last option : dinner table

The difference is, there is a sperm inside the egg.