Is it safe to eat fertilized eggs?

In this brief guide, we will discuss the question, “is it safe to eat fertilized eggs?”. As well, we will discuss what are fertilized eggs, what are unfertilized eggs, what is the type of eggs in the grocery store, and other concerns about eggs.  

Is it safe to eat fertilized eggs?

Yes, it is safe to eat fertilized eggs and if these eggs were collected fresh there would not have been developed embryos inside. For the embryos to develop inside the egg, some conditions will be necessary, such as incubation by the hens or in an incubator for a few days.    

Fertilized eggs just happen in the presence of a rooster, which will result in eggs with female and male genetic material, and both genetic materials are necessary to create the embryo inside the egg.

Is there a chance of buying fertilized eggs somewhere?

Yes, there is, mainly if you buy farm fresh eggs from your locals, however, as the egg is collected fresh and earlier, there will be no chance of the presence of an embryo inside, as the embryo needs some days and incubation to be developed.

How can I know if the egg is fertilized?

It is difficult to know, as commonly the eggs are collected every day, you may eat fertilized eggs and you will not know, as there was no time for the embryo to start to develop. However, if these fertilized eggs were collected after days, there will be a chance of identifying the fertilized eggs.

How can I identify fertilized eggs?

If the fertilized eggs were collected after days, it will have some aspects present inside the egg that you will know if the egg is fertilized. According to The Chicken Chick, below are listed some aspects of fertilized eggs.

• The blastodisc present in unfertilized eggs starts to change to blastoderm, this has an aspect of a bullseye and is founded in the yolk;

• Passing the days the blastoderm will change into a chicken;

• The entire cycle of development of the embryo into a chicken has a duration of 21 days;

• From the 3rd day, you can see many changes in the yolk and have certain that it is a fertilized egg, however, certain people with knowledge were able to identify it earlier.

Is the presence of blood on the yolk related to fertilized eggs?

No, the blood spot on the yolk has nothing with fertilized eggs. The presence of the blood spot on the yolk is related to a rupture of a vessel, this happens when the egg passes through the oviduct of the hen and may rupture a vessel. It is safe to eat eggs with blood spots.

What is the type of eggs in the grocery store?

All or almost all eggs sold in the grocery store are unfertilized because the poultry houses did not keep a rooster inside, even with eggs labeled as “organic” and “cage-free”, as the hens do not need a male to produce their eggs.

What are unfertilized eggs?

All hens are able to produce eggs by themself, without the presence of a rooster and this egg will contain just the female genetic material and so, will just be a normal egg and have no chance of growing an embryo inside. 

Are fertilized eggs more nutritious than unfertilized eggs?

No, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, fertilized eggs are not more nutritious than unfertilized eggs, there is no nutritional difference between them. 

How can I buy safe eggs?

You can buy safe eggs at the grocery store. When buying you can check if the eggs are clean and if the shells are not cracked. It’s recommended to buy eggs that are kept in a refrigerator or refrigerated case, and also stored in the refrigerator. 

How do I cook eggs?

It’s important to know that it’s not safe to eat raw eggs because you will have the risk of being sick and if you cook them properly will ensure a safe egg to eat. Below, there are some tips for you on how you make hard-boiled eggs.

• Fill in a pan with sufficient water so when you put the eggs they will be completely under the water and put it on a boil over average-high heat;

• When the water boils, put the eggs there with the help of some slotted spoon, gently lowering them;

• Now, decrease the heat to a boil and cook for 10 minutes;

• After that, drain the eggs in a colander and put them in a dish of cooled water  till completely cooled;

• If you are not going to eat right now, keep the cooked eggs in the refrigerator (40°F/4°C or colder) with a shelf life of one week.

What recipe can I do with eggs?

As the eggs are consumed worldwide, you will find many types of recipes with eggs. If you click here, you will find 40 recipes for eggs for midweek meals.

Other FAQs about Eggs that you may be interested in.

Is it safe to eat raw eggs in Europe?

Is it safe to eat eggs every day?

Can you eat eggs from a chicken with worms

Conclusion

In this brief guide, we have discussed the question, “is it safe to eat fertilized eggs?”. As well, we have discussed what are fertilized eggs, what are unfertilized eggs, what is the type of eggs in the grocery store, and other concerns about eggs.  

References

https://the-chicken-chick.com/chicken-embryo-development-views-from/ Accessed: 05/11/2022

https://the-chicken-chick.com/facts-and-myths-about-fertile-eggs Accessed: 05/11/2022

https://www.raising-happy-chickens.com/fertile-chicken-eggs.html Accessed: 05/11/2022

https://ask.usda.gov/s/article/Are-fertilized-eggs-more-nutritious Accessed: 05/11/2022

https://www.thepioneerwoman.com/food-cooking/cooking-tips-tutorials/a32108803/how-long-to-boil-eggs/ Accessed: 05/11/2022

https://www.fda.gov/food/buy-store-serve-safe-food/what-you-need-know-about-egg-safety Accessed: 05/11/2022