Broken Yolks

[momaroo]

I have a rooster. Lately, I have been getting some eggs where the yolk is already broken when I crack the egg open - it doesn't hold together. Could this be because it has been fertilized and possibly sat on for a day? I have 2 broody hens right now and they are determined to sit on eggs. I have marked the ones that I am letting them sit on, but what I am wondering is - When do visible changes in the egg start to occur if, 1) it is fertilized and 2) if it is sat on by a broody hen???

I am getting pretty grossed out by some of these eggs!

Thanks!
Momaroo

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Usually egg formation problems are genetic, she will always lay funky eggs, or it's from too much jostling and bashing about of the hen which causes the egg to become deformed as it travels down the oviduct. Though some diseases will also cause deformities in the eggs.

Fertilization and incubation do not cause the yolk to be broken, bashing the egg around after laying might, and if they get shaken maybe.