Double yolks are usually produced by young chickens. Since their reproductive systems have not fully matured, they periodically release two yolks instead of one. Double yolks can also come from older chickens nearing the end of their egg producing period.

Can eggs have two yolks?

There are two different kinds of chickens that most commonly lay an egg with two yolks. On occasion, they're laid by heavy-breed hens, for which the habit of making double-yolk eggs is an inherited trait. However, heavy-breed hens are not typically used for commercial egg laying because they don't lay many eggs.

What does 2 yolks in an egg mean?

Double-yolk eggs are a byproduct of rapid ovulation. That means two yolks are released in quick succession into a hen's oviduct (aka Fallopian tube) and end up in the same shell. Typically, yolks are released about an hour apart, but hormonal changes or a hyperactive ovary will cause double releases.