Eggs (5 pieces, 2 yolks each) Calories

Eggs with two yolks form when a hen releases two yolks close together and both are enclosed in one shell. This can happen more often in young hens whose laying cycles are still settling.

Almost never successfully. Two embryos have to develop inside the same shell, where space and resources are limited, so double-yolk eggs are very unlikely to produce two healthy chicks.

No. Two yolks do not indicate fertilization; that depends on whether the hen mated with a rooster. Most eggs sold for eating are unfertilized, and their yolks do not develop into chicks.

You usually cannot tell for certain at home. Commercial graders can shine a light through an egg to inspect its contents, but shell size or shape alone cannot reliably confirm two yolks.

They contain more yolk, so they provide more of the nutrients found in yolk than a comparable single-yolk egg. The amount of egg white may not increase in the same proportion, so the overall nutrient balance differs.

Yes, they are less common than single-yolk eggs, though they occur naturally. Larger eggs may be more likely to contain two yolks, but size is not a dependable way to identify one.

Yes, some farms and retailers sell double-yolk eggs, often selected by candling. Availability varies by location, so they may be sold as a special carton rather than mixed into ordinary cartons.

Not automatically. A double-yolk egg has extra yolk but does not necessarily provide the same amount of white as two separate eggs, which can change a cake’s moisture, structure, and rise.

Yes, store them in their shells in the refrigerator, preferably in their carton. Once cracked, use them promptly or keep them covered and chilled; discard eggs with a damaged shell or an unpleasant smell.