CAN YOU EAT CHICKEN EGGS A FEW HOURS OR DAYS AFTER A CHICKEN LAYS THEM?

Boyfriend tells me you cant eat an egg that a chicken lays right after or a few hurs or days after a chiken lays them, you have to put them in an incubator.. So.. my questions is can you?? My parents had chikens and would either wait a few hours or days before getting the egg.. he doest believe me.. Help Please!