Eggs
Eggs
Eggs are a type of animal product. They are carried inside a female of an egg-laying species until they are ready to be laid, at which point they become a workable item and the female's egg-laying timer resets to zero. When laid, all types of eggs appear as a single egg. When there are two or more eggs in a stack, the image will change to represent a pile of eggs.
Fertilization
If a male of the same species is not present or fails to copulate with the female before she finishes laying the egg, the female will show "Unfertilized" on her animal page. Once the female lays the egg, it will be spawned as a new item and show (unfert.) after the egg name.
If a male of the same species is present and copulates with the female before she finishes laying the egg, the female will show "Fertilized" on her animal page. Once the female lays the egg, it will be spawned as a new item and show (fert.) after the egg name.
Both fertilized and unfertilized eggs are edible. If eaten raw, both generate the "Ate raw food" thought. Eggs can be used as a substitute for meat when cooking meals. Each can substitute for 5 meat, e.g. a fine meal requires only one egg and 5 vegetables.
Unfertilized Eggs
All unfertilized eggs rot in 15 days unless refrigerated or frozen.
Fertilized Eggs
When protected from ovivorous animals and the elements, fertilized eggs will hatch into a baby animal, even if both parents die. The progress to hatching time is displayed on the item's properties when clicked. As of A16, extreme temperatures will kill the animal within the egg, rendering fertilized eggs unable to hatch. Eggs are safe between 0 - 50 degrees Celsius or 32 - 122 degrees Fahrenheit.
Fertilized eggs do not rot, but do deteriorate if left exposed to the elements.
Consumption
Eggs can be eaten for 0.25 nutrition. They can also be used as a cooking ingredient, substituting 5 normal ingredients for 1 egg. Eggs used this way can provide the meat needed in Fine and Lavish meals.