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The most commonly-used bird eggs are those from the chicken, duck and goose, but smaller eggs such as quail eggs are occasionally used as a gourmet ingredient, as are the largest bird eggs, from ostriches. Eggs are frequently used in both sweet and savoury dishes as a source of protein and/or to bind the other ingredients in a recipe together. Sometimes the whole egg is cooked together. Sometimes the egg yolk is used separately from the egg white.

Many who practice vegetarianismFor animals adapted to eat primarily plants, sometimes referred to as vegetarian animals, see Herbivore. Vegetarianism is a dietary practice excluding all body parts of any animal and products derived from animals (e. lard, tallow, gelatin, cochineal) fro feel it is acceptable to eat eggs as the bird which lays the eggs is not killed. People concerned about animal welfareAnimal welfare is the viewpoint that some or all animals, especially those under human care, should be treated in such a way that they do not suffer unnecessarily. This position places some ethical value on the life of animals, while being weaker than ani (especially veganIn its adjective form, vegan describes: people (who avoid all animal products), diets (plant-based), food (containing no animal products), and products (containing no animal products and not animal tested). As a noun, a vegan is a person who follows a vegs) are reluctant to eat mass-produced eggs as factory farmingFactory farming refers to large-scale, industrialized, intensive rearing of livestock, poultry and fish. The practice is widespread in developed nations much of the meat, dairy and eggs available in supermarkets is raised in this manner. The term factory is considered cruel. Even free range eggs are sometimes unacceptable to those who are concerned about animal welfareAnimal welfare is the viewpoint that some or all animals, especially those under human care, should be treated in such a way that they do not suffer unnecessarily. This position places some ethical value on the life of animals, while being weaker than ani as it is felt that alleged free range birds may not be much better off than confined birds.

The primary cooking techniques for eggs are:

• BakingBaking is the technique of cooking food in an oven by dry heat applied evenly throughout the oven. The person that does the baking is called a baker . Breads, desserts, and meat (see also roasting) are often baked, and baking is the primary cooking techni
• BoilingBoiling is the rapid vaporization of a liquid, which occurs when a liquid is heated to a temperature such that its vapor pressure is above that of the surroundings. Boiling, however, occurs in three characteristic forms, which are nucleate, transition and
• FryingFried egg is one of the ways of cooking eggs. They are typically fried in butter or margarine and can be cooked in a variety of manners. Types of fried egg: Over hard, also called Hard cooked on both sides until yolk is hard Over easy, also called Runny c
• Making omeletteAn Omelette or omelet is a preparation of beaten egg cooked with butter or oil in a frying pan, often folded around a filling. Many variations exist. Spanish tortilla de patatas (European Spanish for "potato omelette") is a characteristic thick omelette ss
• Poaching
• Scrambling
• soufflé
• egg salad

Eggs may also be pickled, hard-boiled and refrigerated, or eaten raw, though the latter is not recommended for people who may be susceptible to salmonella, such as the old, the infirm or pregnant women.

When eggs become rotten, the yolk will turn green and the egg will emit a sulfurous smell when broken. Although deemed offensive by most Western palates, fermented eggs are considered a delicacy by some in China, when prepared using a special method which includes letting them sit for three months to age (or rot, depending on one's interpretation).