Blood on Eggs

[Skylight404]

Hello,

I recently acquired an adult Barred Rock from a neighbor. Unfortunately, I don't know her age, or really anything much about her. However, for as long as I've had her (about one and a half months), she's laid eggs with blood on the shells. The eggs are otherwise fine, with nice hard shells. Most of the time there's just a little smear, but once or twice the egg was about 50% covered. What could be causing this? She's being fed Purina Flock Raiser mixed with some cracked corn. I read that too much protein can cause bloody eggs. Is that true?

 

[Eggcessive]

A blood smeared egg can be common on occasion, especially from a new layer. Can you examine the outside of her vent to see if it is being pecked or injured? What do her poops look like?

 

[Skylight404]

Her poop looks normal. I went and took a look at her vent, and at the base of her feathers and on the vent itself are several scabby, black, dry chunks. It doesn't seem to be dried feces - its too dark for that. She also had a little poop on her feathers. There's no way she's being pecked at, since she currently lives by herself (not long term; I have some pullets that are going to be integrated in with her soon). I also know that she's not a new layer, I just don't know her exact age.

 

[Eggcessive]

She might have a blood vessel inside her vent that is bleeding. Some links I read mentioned that overstretching of the vent by very large eggs might cause it too.