No Blastodisc?

[KikiLeigh02]

We have some pullets that have been laying for a few months, I check them for fertility when I crack them just out of curiousity. One of the Production Reds has consistently laid an egg without a blastodisc at all. All the others have nice, clear, blastoderms. I can't really find any information on what could cause this. Is it a sign that she'll have reproductive issues? She's really healthy otherwise, she's the biggest of my Production Reds and very clearly the dominant in the flock. She's about 7ish months old.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Could be a sign of how a hen that lays eggs can still be infertile themselves, not relevant to fertilization of the egg.

 

[KikiLeigh02]

I'll keep researching. I can find lots of information on no blastoderms or infertile roosters but nothing credible about no blastodisc or infertile hens. I have PCOS and fertility issues are a side effect, so I was just wondering if her infertility is a sign she has bigger reproductive issues.

 

[aart]

Odd that there's no disc at all, but I suppose it's possible.

@Ridgerunner @casportpony @Pyxis ???

 

[casportpony]

Interesting... I know that the charcoal colored peahen doesn't lay eggs, so I guess anything is possible.

 

[KikiLeigh02]

Next time I crack one open I'll try to take a good picture. I thought it might be a fluke at first, but there hasn't been a blastodisc in any of her eggs.

 

[Ridgerunner]

How many eggs have you looked at? Is it possible the blastoderm was on the bottom? I sometimes have to very gently turn them with a spoon to see the blastoderm.

 

[KikiLeigh02]

Probably 15-20? She's still a pretty new layer. I'll try to turn them next time. The yolk seems to rupture more easily than normal.

 

[Ridgerunner]

With that many you should have seen it on several. It's a mystery to me.

 

[aart]

Probably 15-20? She's still a pretty new layer. I'll try to turn them next time. The yolk seems to rupture more easily than normal.

You definitely have to turn them...and it can be hard to get them over, even if they don't break.