Grocery Store Eggs Hatched After 21 Days
EGGS TO CHICKS – A TikToker named Kate went viral after successfully hatching eggs she purchased from a grocery store.
On February 10, 2025, she uploaded a video on her account, @thecaliforniahome, showing how she incubated a dozen fertilized eggs purchased from a Trader Joe’s branch in Pasadena. After 21 days in the incubator, one of the eggs started moving, and soon, more began to crack open, revealing live chicks inside. Out of the 12 eggs, eight successfully hatched. Delighted with the results, Kate jokingly exclaimed in her video, “No egg shortage here!” hinting that she planned to care for the chicks.
By February 15, she posted an update featuring a lively, healthy chick from the batch. However, while many viewers found her experiment fascinating, others were alarmed. Some questioned why fertilized eggs were being sold at grocery stores, while others expressed discomfort.
Fertilized eggs contain a visible “bullseye” or germ spot on the yolk, which can be identified through a process called candling—holding the egg against a light source. These eggs remain in a dormant state until incubated under controlled temperature and humidity for 21 days, just as Kate did.
In contrast, commercial eggs, which are typically unfertilized, are produced by hens fed with commercial feeds. These eggs, often white in color, do not contain developing embryos and remain translucent under light. Unlike fertilized eggs, they will not hatch even if placed in an incubator.
Despite the concerns of some viewers, fertilized eggs are completely safe to eat. According to the educational website Backyard Chicken Coops, there is no difference in taste or nutritional value between fertilized and unfertilized eggs. Once refrigerated, the fertilized ones do not develop further, eliminating any chance of finding a chick inside.
Kate later shared that while some people were disturbed by her video, others became interested in hatching eggs and raising chickens in their backyards. In a follow-up video on February 16, she showed her young son watching over the chicks. Her viral post has since amassed 4.9 million views.
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