What causes abnormally large eggs?

[Bear4boo]

Our buff Orpington laid a huge egg today…looks even bigger in real. What causes that to happen? She’s only been laying a month now. That must have really hurt lol!

 

[SilverBirds]

Have you cracked it open yet? It looks like a double yolker.

 

[Bear4boo]

Have you cracked it open yet? It looks like a double yolker.

Not yet. We have had double yolkers before from one of our other hens but this one is much bigger than those were.

 

[SilverBirds]

Not yet. We have had double yolkers before from one of our other hens but this one is much bigger than those were.

Here is an article on egg abnormalities. With how big and elongated it is it's most likely a double or multiple yolker. Definitely looks like it was a struggle for your poot hen to lay, but she should be fine health wise. Let me know what's inside when you crack it open!

 

[Hanathehappyhen]

Not yet. We have had double yolkers before from one of our other hens but this one is much bigger than those were.

Post pictures when you do! I’ve heard of giant “eggs inside of eggs”

 

[TX Chick Noob]

It isn’t uncommon for new layers to occasionally lay larger eggs with multiple yolks, and less commonly an “egg within an egg”. I have one who has laid three double-yolks. Their system is still working out the kinks. Luckily she was able to lay it and didn’t get egg bound. Might want to keep a close eye on her for any signs in the future of being unable to pass an egg.

@azygous Any other tips or advice?

Definitely would like to see pics of what you find inside.

 

[Pampered chicken girl]

It happens sometimes, no big deal. It's probably a double yolker!

 

[NorthwoodsChick]

Our buff Orpington laid a huge egg today…looks even bigger in real. What causes that to happen? She’s only been laying a month now. That must have really hurt lol!

Post pics when you crack it open.
I have yet to see a triple+ yoke.

 

[azygous]

This tendency for double yolks is often genetic, but sometimes calcium therapy that we use for tin shells can reset the ovary to release just one yolk per cycle. If the double yolks seem to persist, try calcium citrate tablets once a day for several days.

We all are primed to react to a double yolk egg as a "bonus", but it's really a sign of a problem. As you are aware, the double yolks require a larger egg, and that risks getting stuck, and just as a woman giving birth to a ten pound infant, a double yolk egg is much more of an ordeal to get out. This is stress that can lead to other reproductive issues and even to crop issues.