In the world of backyard poultry keeping, every egg is a little gift, a marvel of nature’s efficiency and simplicity. But for one chicken owner, the usual morning egg collection turned into a moment of sheer astonishment. Cori Higgins, a member of the BackYardChickens Facebook community, recently shared an egg-ceptional discovery that has left fellow chicken enthusiasts clucking with intrigue and surprise.
Higgins’ post, accompanied by a series of photos, showcased an unusually large egg that, upon cracking, revealed another complete egg nestled inside. ‘My poor girl laid the biggest egg I have ever seen, there was a yolk, whites and another egg inside,’ Higgins wrote, expressing both concern for the hen and fascination with the rare phenomenon.
The images shared by Higgins depict the large egg cradled in their hand, its size dwarfing the average egg. The subsequent photos reveal the egg’s interior, where a smaller egg sits snugly within the outer shell, complete with its own yolk and whites. This peculiar occurrence, known as a counter peristalsis contraction, happens when an already-formed egg reverses course in the hen’s oviduct and becomes enveloped by another forming egg. While not common, it’s a natural curiosity that can happen in the complex world of avian reproduction.
The post quickly gathered attention from the online community, with many expressing their amazement and sharing their own experiences. ‘Never in 18 yrs of having chickens and can’t say as I’ve ever seen one like this! I’ve had double yolks though,’ one follower commented, highlighting the rarity of such an event. Others chimed in with humour, wishing the hen a speedy recovery from her ‘HENroids’ and jokingly anticipating the discovery of a ‘baby triceratops’ inside their own oversized eggs.
Nicole Seward-Romero and Beverly Schwab, fellow chicken owners, also shared their encounters with unusually large eggs, with Schwab describing the taste of her double-yolk find as ‘delicious’. The community’s shared experiences underscore the unpredictable and delightful aspects of raising chickens, where each day’s egg collection can bring a new surprise.
However, the backdrop to this story is the current state of the egg market. With egg prices soaring and shortages looming due to a bird flu outbreak, these chicken owners are counting their blessings for their homegrown supply. Supermarket shelves are often empty or sparsely stocked, and customers face purchase limits, adding to the value of each egg produced in backyard coops.
Danyel Cucinotta, a third-generation egg farmer, spoke to the media about the challenges facing the industry. ‘You can’t just turn it back on,’ he explained, detailing the lengthy process of recovery from an outbreak, including disposal, cleanup, disinfection, and repopulation of flocks. He anticipates a return to normalcy in the spring when egg production typically increases.
Have you ever encountered an egg-ceptional find like this in your own backyard? Or perhaps you’re considering starting a chicken coop of your own? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below, and let’s celebrate the small wonders that bring joy and sustenance to our lives.
Also read: Scrambling for eggs: Coles and Woolworths face major supply struggles
