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How Chickens Make Eggs and 3 Common Egg Laying Problems

How Chickens Make Eggs and 3 Common Egg Laying Problems Blog Cover

An egg contains a phenomenal amount of nutrition for its size, but you already knew that right?

An average egg contains a mere 75 calories but gives you 7g protein, 5g fat, and 1.5g of saturated fat.

In addition, it gives you vitamins A, D, B12, riboflavin, pantothenic acid, phosphorus, choline, carotenoids and cholesterol!

And as reported by Pennsylvania State University if you eat only pasture-raised chicken eggs instead of generic supermarket eggs, you get even more health benefits- making it truly a superfood.

We’ve previously talked about why your hen has stopped laying and also the best chicken breeds for lots of eggs, but we haven’t discussed where does this incredible food come from?

To just say it comes from a chicken doesn’t do justice as to how complex the process is.

After reading this article today you will realize what a small miracle that egg really is.

The Reproductive System of the Hen

A hen is born with two ovaries.

Although after a chick has hatched their right ovary shrinks, becoming non-functioning, so all the egg laying activity is located in their left ovary.

Interestingly, all the eggs a hen will ever lay are stored in their ovary at birth.

The egg machinery (i.e. oviduct) of the hen is about 25-27 inches long. It really looks like a stretched out trumpet. Let’s take a look at each part of the oviduct and how it works together to produce an egg.

Step 1: Follicle

It all starts in the Follicle; a mature yolk is released from the follicle into the infundibulum. The follicle contains all of the yolks a hen will ever lay in her life; she likely will not use all of them. The release of the yolk stimulates hormonal responses throughout the system.

Step 2: Infundibulum

The yolk spends about fifteen minutes in the infundibulum, where it is gently ‘massaged’ and stretched out. If fertilization is going to occur, it happens here.

Step 3: Magnum

Once the yolk leaves the Infundibulum, it passes through to the Magnum. This is the largest part of the reproductive system, where approximately 50% of the thick, white albumin is attached. The yolk remains here for about three hours before moving on.

Step 4: Isthmus

After the yolk has passed through the Magnum, it reaches the Isthmus. The shape of the egg is determined here and the inner and outer shell membranes are attached.

Step 5: Uterus

Once the shape has formed the egg passes through to the Uterus (shell gland).

Here the egg shell is made.

The shell is largely made from calcium carbonate.

The hen pulls roughly half the calcium from her body and the other half is obtained from her diet. If there is any pigment to be added to the egg, this is where it happens.

The egg remains in the uterus for around twenty hours.

This is commonly an area where things go awry in the hens’ ability to maintain a good production egg.

Step 6: Vagina

Not really important to formation, the vagina is all important in getting the egg laid properly.

The ‘bloom’ of the egg is laid down here, and the egg is turned in a process called ‘oviposition’. The egg enters the vagina narrow end first, but is laid ‘blunt’ end first.

Occasionally, an egg will get ‘stuck’ while turning around- this is called egg bound.

The hen can sometimes expel them herself, but on occasion may need assistance from her keeper.

‘Sperm pockets’ are located in the walls of the vagina. During fertilization, some sperm is released and travels up to the infundibulum for the process to begin. Bird sperm remains viable at body temperature for 10-14 days.

Step 7: Cloaca

Finally the egg reaches the Cloaca which is the Thruway exit!

The entire process takes around 25-27 hours, so you average hen will lay slightly less than an egg a day- this is an average of around 270 eggs per year for a hen in their first year of lay!

Once an egg has been laid, within thirty or so minutes another will start on its own journey.

It is rare for a hen to start ovulation after 3pm, so once every 6-7 days she will miss a day of production.

Overview of Egg Laying Process

Overview of Egg Laying Process

The Anatomy of the Egg

The egg consists of many separate pieces, all nicely packaged up to give you breakfast!

Egg Anatomy Diagram
Anatomy of an egg by Frank Horst
  • Eggshell: This holds everything together. The shell consists almost entirely of calcium carbonate and is perforated by up to 17,000 pores to allow passage of air and moisture between the egg and the air.
  • Outer shell membrane
  • Inner shell membrane: These membranes sit side by side just under the shell and act as defense mechanisms against bacteria.
  • Chalaza: The stringy bits you hate! They are attached to the yolk, twisted in opposite directions and serve to keep the yolk centered. This is vitally important for the correct development of a chick.
  • Exterior albumin: Thin outer layer of albumin next to the shell membrane.
  • Middle albumin: Thicker, white albumin. It is a good source of riboflavin and protein.
  • Vitteline layer: The clear casing that the yolk is wrapped in. The integrity of the vitteline layer is important to prevent ‘splotching’ on the yolk.
  • Germinal disk: This is a 2-3mm white spot on the yolk surface. This is where the sperm enters the egg. The embryo will develop from this disk.
  • Yellow yolk: This is the essence of life, if you will. It contains all the nutrition an embryo will need to become a chick.
  • Air cell: When the egg cools, an air space forms. During aging, moisture and carbon dioxide leave through the pores of the shell and the air cell enlarges. This is why an old egg will float.
  • Cuticle/bloom: This is an outer coating, placed whilst the egg is in the vagina. It seals the shell, preventing bacteria from going in and moisture from coming out.

Three Most Common Egg Laying Problems

Chicken Laying Eggs Without Shell Or Membrane

A malfunction in the uterus causes this.

It may simply be that the pullets’ reproductive equipment is too immature yet and requires a slightly longer development time. Or it could be that the hen is aging or it’s simply a genetic ‘oops’.

Malformed Chicken Shell
Parchment Shell

I have one thirty month old hen who consistently lays ‘shell troubled’ eggs. The pictures below show a parchment shell removed from the vent and an irregular coating of shell.

She fairly frequently lays no shells and sometimes a perfect egg!

Although she is currently well, she is in danger of egg yolk peritonitis from one of these episodes.

Egg Yolk Peritonitis

This occurs when fluid from the oviduct leaks into the abdominal cavity and starts an infection.

The yolk is a superb place for E. coli bacteria (from the gut) to grow in and the hen will get sick quickly and often dies almost before you notice she is sick.

Unfortunately, many diagnoses of egg yolk peritonitis are made at autopsy.

Lash Eggs

There are rubber or soft-shelled eggs, and then there’s something called a lash egg. If you come across one of these, your stomach will surely turn.

A lash egg is not entirely all egg…it’s shaped like one and has some egg components, but that’s about it.

In general, it looks like a gob of goo in the shape of an egg. And that’s because it travels the same route as an egg would.

But again, it may only have pieces of shells and yolks, because the majority is made of up puss from an infection in the hen’s oviduct.

Unfortunately, when a lash egg emerges, it is usually already too late for the hen. She has most likely been dealing with the infection for months and may not live for much longer. If she does make it through the infection, she may never lay eggs again.

With that being said, if you act quickly, you can treat the hen with antibiotics and she may be able to turn the corner.

Egg Binding

Normally, when the egg travels into the vagina it turns itself around so that it is laid blunt end first.

Sometimes if it is too large, it will get stuck, causing the hen to be ‘egg bound’.

If this happens the egg needs removing or you hen can become very ill.

A warm water bath and some gentle massage of the abdomen can help. You can also lubricate the vent with some

Vaseline to assist in the passage of the egg.

If the process goes well you should end up with some beautiful eggs, like these!

Chicken Eggs
So there you have- the miracle of the egg.

A little power house of nutrition carefully packaged by the hen.

Did you know that eggs were so complex!?

25 thoughts on “How Chickens Make Eggs and 3 Common Egg Laying Problems

  1. I have 4 approx 8 month old hens, one by one they started laying, the last one just 7/8 days ago.
    But we have just had a soft shell egg, and the yolk laying next to it not inside the shell. I’m assuming it is probably the last hen to start laying, should I be doing anything to help.

    1. Hi Olga,
      As mentioned in the article, when pullets start to lay you do get some weird and wonderful types of eggs.
      However, with the shell problem I would suggest feeding them crushed oyster shell to see if this fixes it.
      Claire

    1. How old is your hen Elisa? It’s normal for point of lay pullets and young hens to lay small eggs whilst they are still developing.
      Claire

    2. Suspect low protein in cases of normal sized egg but little to fill it. Addng meat or eww-even chicken can help combat the problem.

  2. Problem with one yr old approx.laying eggs. It takes her over 3 hours with great distress. She makes loud calls every time she bears down. I gave her the warm bath/massage 2 days ago and it seamed to ease her. Her vent seams large enough. She finally laid a perfect egg. I can not be here every day to do this. Is the problem that the egg is not turning around in the vagina? What can I do?

    1. Hi Carolyn,
      It sounds to me like Egg Binding. I’m writing an article on this soon to explain what it is and how to treat it. In the meantime, head over to YouTube as there are several good videos explaining this.
      Email me if you need any help,
      Claire

    2. Make sure calcium level is optimal. Low calcium leads to being egg bound. Test egg shell for firmness once laid.

  3. We have had 3 chickens for 1 1/2 yrs. Black Sexlink. About Sept. one of them stopped laying. we waited thinking she began molt early but alas here it is March and the others are laying nearly each day but not one of them.
    We don’t know ‘who’ is the hold out. but i noticed today that one of the hens is smaller and her comb is not bright and fresh like the other two.

    1. It may be reasonable to suspect that the non laying chicken has ingested something that is no good for her.

  4. I have a Black Barred that often lays eggs with no shells, and I also get very large elongated eggs with very liquid whites. I also have Rhode Island Reds. They are into their 2nd year. I don’t know who is laying the large ones. I have given them calcium and layer feed, they also get appropriate table scraps. Any suggestions?

    1. Calcium, vitamin D, vitamin A, vitamin B12, phosphorus, and selenium are suspected in shell-less eggs. Certain diseases such as avian influenza or egg drop syndrome may also be suspected.

  5. I have year old lavender orfingtons that have just started laying. I’ve had several with bad tearing. Eggs are normal size I’ve lost about 4 chickens. I give them calcium and layer feed. What am I doing wrong.

    1. Make sure the calcium is not too high or too low. By tearing, is it meant that the hen is experiencing difficulty in laying the egg?

  6. Today one beautiful egg early then this afternoon one soft egg and a separate yolk dropped on the grass. She looks a bit fed up. Has happened 4 times since she started laying 3weeks ago
    Can anyone help please?

  7. Three times now I have had a fresh egg taste gross. Hard boiled and pan fried. The first bite it’s almost a soft curdled rotten taste that lingers in my mouth. The egg has no rotten smell and no indication that gives it away before I eat it. Any ideas?

    1. I would change up their feed. If the eggs taste gross it is most likely something they are getting into maybe in the yard like fertilizer or check the ingredients in your feed.
      Claire

  8. I have a home bred pullet, 7 months old, that is laying infrequent small eggs (2/3rds normal size), good shell, but the yolk is dissolved into the white and everything is a mixed up opaque slurry inside. I collect eggs every day, they are freshly laid. Not rotten, no bad smell. She is one of two home grown crosses and I am not sure which hen lays the bad dissolving yolk eggs, whether it will improve or stay a problem. Any ideas?

  9. Thanks for all this information. I’m new to raising chickens. I’m sure all these questions and answers will be very helpful !

  10. In a flock of 7 Golden Comets, I’ve been getting a soft or no shell egg almost every day since they starting a rotating molting during last summer. Is it possible that one of the hens could have Egg Yolk Peritonitis? Because one hen seems to be a bit chubbier than the other hens and when I pick her up I notice her abdomen is bigger compared to the other hens. Could she have Egg Yolk Peritonitis? How do I check for that?
    I feed all organic layer pellets, cracked corn plus bird seeds & black oil sunflower seeds, rooster booster vitamins, grit with probiotics and oyster shell, leafy greens plus the occasional mealworm treat and also sometimes milk for the shell which they love. Water bowls are always full. They free range all day long.

  11. I have 13 various breed chickens. They’re first full year of laying I would occasionally get an egg that had like dirt inside instead of an egg. I never personally saw it, but my daughter came across several and we don’t know exactly which girl is doing it. It’s a white egg so it’s more than likely not my brown layers, although sometimes their eggs are so light they almost look white.

  12. Weeping egg question: I am collecting eggs with the plan to begin incubation on Monday. Today I found 5 eggs from different days (including an egg just laid yesterday) that have begun weeping. Five “sick” eggs in a collection of 6 days worth of eggs, It’s reasonable to believe that the sick ones are all from the same hen. What does she need? Or any other thoughts you might have on this..

  13. I have hens that are almost 3 years old. My barred rock, who has always been a prolific layer of very large eggs, has started laying liquid eggs with no shell or membrane. The first one was a bloody mess in the nest box, with what appeared to be chunks of bloody tissue. Since then I have found egg “liquid” in the nest box and on the poop board. Any ideas of cause or treatment?

  14. My chicken Martha is laying round eggs is this normal?how to make her lay normal eggs?and what courses her eyes to be doing I am a new chicken holder I I don’t have too much experience
    Thanks
    Kk Augy

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