[bee]

Sitting at school lunch with a bunch of ten year olds, one pupil starts talking chickens. Then I'm asked: 'If a chicken lays an egg with a double yolk, if it was fertilised would the egg hatch and be twins?' I had no clue and said I would consult the experts!

This was yesterday, but I was pestered again today, so I'd be grateful for a definitive answer! Thanks in advance.

[carolbriar]

No idea but a great question from the children!  I await the answer with interest.

[GrannieAnnie]

Basically No! 

There wouldn't be enough room in the egg for 2 chicks, and probably with the 2 yolks not even enough room for one chick to develop properly.  they may start to develop then both die.

[Fisherman]

From what I understand double yolks are caused by a hicup in their egg production which is quite common when chickens come into lay. Its just 2 separate yolks in the same shell. I don't believe it's one egg that has separated into two like what happens with human twins.

As GrannieAnnie says there wouldn't be enough room in the shell for them to develop either.

[bee]

Thank you to both of you. I think the children are going to be kind of sad with the answer, but of course it makes sense. Just no room for two!

[cluckingnuts]

I've tried incubating double yolkers, all died early in development, obviously Mother Nature does not consider them viable.