ajm200 Posted April 16, 2008 Share Posted April 16, 2008 When I went shopping I noticed that Waitrose are selling boxes of double yolkers and wondered how any farmer can guarantee to get enough to supply a large chain of supermarkets. Are there particular breeds that are prone to laying double yolkers? I know that sometimes hens do lay a few but I didn't think it was guaranteed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
koo2cat Posted April 16, 2008 Share Posted April 16, 2008 Marks and Spencer sell them also. I want to know how they know they are double yolkers - do they go on the weight of the egg - must do I suppose! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chooks Aloud Posted April 17, 2008 Share Posted April 17, 2008 I'd too like to know how they can say they are double yolkers. My girls lay large eggs 80 - 100+g regularly, but these are not double yolkers, so surely it can't be by weight alone? Karen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted April 17, 2008 Share Posted April 17, 2008 They must "candle" them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chooks Aloud Posted April 17, 2008 Share Posted April 17, 2008 Yes, I suppose so - time consuming though. Karen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pookylover Posted April 17, 2008 Share Posted April 17, 2008 Thats probably why they cost more! Clare Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superjules Posted April 17, 2008 Share Posted April 17, 2008 I know that if Magpie or Sylvie lay an egg that's 70g-ish that it's definitely a double. We've never had a double from Daffodil though and hers are always that sort of weight. I suppose it depends on the individual hen, like some women are genetically more likely to have twins than others. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BarbaraJ Posted April 17, 2008 Share Posted April 17, 2008 can chickens have twins out of one egg then? or is there not room? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xChicken04x Posted April 17, 2008 Share Posted April 17, 2008 can chickens have twins out of one egg then? or is there not room? They can, but the chicks usually stop forming at some stage of incubation or if they do hatch (which is unlikely) it is almost certain that they will die very early or have horrible deformaties (such as no eyes ) and have to be culled. xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickvic Posted April 17, 2008 Share Posted April 17, 2008 Our local butcher sell double yolkers. He says that 'they' (whoever they are!) scan them. My mom always gets hers from there and just after Christmas had 4 dozen (everyone was having egg and chips - and I mean everyone! ) and there was just 1 that wasn't a double yolker! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craftyhunnypie Posted April 17, 2008 Share Posted April 17, 2008 I do hope they don't give the chickens steroids of something!!! You never quite know if they sort of mess with things / genetically modify the hens. I can't quite see Waitrose doing that, but they may not know what the supplier is up to? You seriously do not get that many double yolkers..not enough to meet demand I wouldn't of thought! Emma.x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted April 18, 2008 Share Posted April 18, 2008 We get about 3 double yolkers a day (from a flock of about 50 hens). They seem to be from the same birds though, when I manage to catch them in the act! They are way too big for egg boxes though, so I guess it could be genetic then? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAJ Posted April 18, 2008 Share Posted April 18, 2008 My local farm shop sells eggs with pictures of the flocks next to each type of egg - they always have trays of double yokers. I still get about 3 a week - I cam always tell because the same hen that lays a 'normal' 58g egg then lays them around 80g - so far all the big ones have been double yokers. Tracy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lazela Posted April 20, 2008 Share Posted April 20, 2008 Although Waitrose don't own the farms that supply them, they have specific contracts with the farmers and the farmers only supply to Waitrose. They also have very strict animal welfare regulations. Thats why you pay more - top quality produce from farmers who care, being supported by a supermarket that also cares. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superjules Posted April 21, 2008 Share Posted April 21, 2008 You sound like an advert Lazela! Only teasing - I like waitrose too for that reason. I believe they are a very ethical company, on the whole. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
