Why can hens lay eggs without a rooster?

While hens can indeed lay eggs without the presence of a rooster, these eggs will not be fertile and cannot be hatched into chicks.

Fertilization occurs when sperm from a rooster fertilizes an egg within the hen's reproductive tract. If there is no rooster present, the eggs that hens lay will be infertile and will not contain a developing embryo. These eggs are commonly referred to as "table eggs" or "unfertilized eggs" and are the ones typically consumed by humans.

The purpose of laying eggs is to reproduce and ensure the survival of the species. However, in modern egg farming, the focus is on producing eggs for consumption rather than reproduction. Most commercial egg farms use specialized breeding methods and technology to ensure a consistent supply of fertile eggs for incubation and chick production.