why do eggs need to be refrigerated? Is it the chemicals ranchers use effect the egg?

Egg are refrigerated in the US to keep bacteria's production slowed. However, there are some countries that do not.

Actually, outside the USA, farm fresh eggs are rarely refrigerated and sold off the shelf in stores. Why? Because eggs that are fresh and have not been washed still have a protective shell or skin on them. Remember that a hen sits on the eggs for around 20 days or almost three weeks and eventually out pops a little chick. Does bacteria grow and contaminate the chick? No.

If they are washed and that protective skin is removed, or if they have been refrigerated ever, then yes, refrigerate them. Farm fresh, room temperature eggs, so say many naturalists, are far better for positive nutrition benefits than those bought in refrigerated grocery store cartons.

That sounds crazy to me. Here in Australia, eggs are never sold out of a fridge and they can't possibly go bad in half an hour. Obviously if you don't use eggs too often, then they will stay fresher in the fridge. But they taste better if they are at room temperature when you start cooking.

No chemicals and yes you can store eggs at room temperature. It's just not legal to sell them or store them that way in a commercial environment. Americas are freaked out by the mere thought at seeing an egg at room temperature just as much as they are freaked out by sell-by dates and expiration dates. Those are usually just guidelines, unless the product is really perishable like seafood.

It just the government, not the ranchers.

fresh eggs dont' have to be refrigerated. Anywhere. US or third world country. But the eggs aren't always fresh. US eggs aren't fertilized so you don't see any part of a chick in it. Besides. Chicks don't have feathers when they're hatched. So I think you're lying!