Hen Laid An Egg Inside Of Another Egg

[tawirth604]

Hi, everyone. Three days ago, my Welsummer wasn’t acting like herself and wasn’t that interested in eating. I brought her in and added water to her feed to make a mash, and she scarfed it. She started showing signs that she wanted to lay, so I covered her box to give her some quiet. Later that day, I saw what I thought to be a lash egg; but when I picked it up, I realized it was a huge shell-less egg. As I examined it, I felt something inside of it and opened it up; and there was a perfectly normal egg inside of it. Crazy. She’s doing okay, but she hasn’t laid in a couple of days. I’ve been lightly palpating her, and I do not believe she is eggbound. I have moved her back out to the coop because it seemed like she wanted to use a nesting box, and she’s eating and drinking. She was visiting the boxes but never laid. I know her body went through a lot, but I was wondering if anyone has experienced this and knows if it might take awhile for her to resume laying. Any help is appreciated.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Did you happen to take any photos

Glad she seems to be doing o.k. There is no way to know when or if she will resume laying.
See that she is eating/drinking well. You may want to provide her with some extra calcium for 2-3 days too - 1/2 tablet Caltrate (or store brand).

An egg within an egg is called “counter-peristalsis contraction”. This is caused by a new yolk being released while an egg is already being "made" but has not yet been laid. When this happens, there is contraction in the oviduct that pushes the first egg back up the oviduct and they both travel back down together.
There is really nothing that can be done, but I would worry that this may be a signal that she might have some reproductive problems in the future. Internal Laying where egg yolks, albumen and even whole shelled eggs are dropped into the abdomen is called reverse peristalsis. In this particular instance, your hen was able to pass the egg instead of it completely traveling back up the oviduct and into the body cavity.

 

[tawirth604]

Did you happen to take any photos

Glad she seems to be doing o.k. There is no way to know when or if she will resume laying.
See that she is eating/drinking well. You may want to provide her with some extra calcium for 2-3 days too - 1/2 tablet Caltrate (or store brand).

An egg within an egg is called “counter-peristalsis contraction”. This is caused by a new yolk being released while an egg is already being "made" but has not yet been laid. When this happens, there is contraction in the oviduct that pushes the first egg back up the oviduct and they both travel back down together.
There is really nothing that can be done, but I would worry that this may be a signal that she might have some reproductive problems in the future. Internal Laying where egg yolks, albumen and even whole shelled eggs are dropped into the abdomen is called reverse peristalsis. In this particular instance, your hen was able to pass the egg instead of it completely traveling back up the oviduct and into the body cavity.

I was so shocked I didn’t think of a picture. I could kick myself. Lol.

I’ve read all of that before, but I was unable to find the reproductive prognosis. She’s eating and drinking, and she’s been looking up at the nesting boxes like she wants to lay. Her poop is normal. I will continue to keep a close eye on her. I’m praying she lays a normal egg soon. Thank you for your input.

 

[tawirth604]

See that she is eating/drinking well. You may want to provide her with some extra calcium for 2-3 days too - 1/2 tablet Caltrate (or store brand).

See that she is eating/drinking well. You may want to provide her with some extra calcium for 2-3 days too - 1/2 tablet Caltrate (or store brand).

Does flavor matter or does it need to be a plain flavor?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I was so shocked I didn’t think of a picture. I could kick myself. Lol.

I’ve read all of that before, but I was unable to find the reproductive prognosis. She’s eating and drinking, and she’s been looking up at the nesting boxes like she wants to lay. Her poop is normal. I will continue to keep a close eye on her. I’m praying she lays a normal egg soon. Thank you for your input.

Does flavor matter or does it need to be a plain flavor?

I don't think flavor matters, you just want calcium with D3. Only give for a few days.

Hopefully this is just a one time thing and she won't have any more problems.

 

[tawirth604]

I don't think flavor matters, you just want calcium with D3. Only give for a few days.

Hopefully this is just a one time thing and she won't have any more problems.

Thank you so much!