Blood spots on egg shells? *with pics*

[domromer]

I've noticed dried blood spots on the the eggshells lately, I can't tell which hen is doing it because they all lay the same color eggs in the same nest box. What could be the cause of the blood spots and what should I do to fix it?

I went and dug out the egg from the compost pile, here are some pics.

 

[Farmer Kitty]

Usually, as long as it is spots it's nothing major and just happens. If it continues I don't know. Maybe try feeding some bread soaked with olive oil (or any cooking oil) to help "lubricate" her inards.

 

[Harleywood]

I have 2 chickens that has layed those exact looking eggs since they started laying a year ago. I just thought its due to some sort of breeding in her background. They are as healthy as the others, I also have one that lays a green egg! These are all supposedly Rhode Island Reds.

 

[Wildsky]

Are you sure thats blood? When my eggs have blood on the shell its smeared, that looks like just a speckled egg.

 

[LilRalphieRoosmama]

I have on bantam that lays eggs at least once a week with bloody streaks on them. Rest of her eggs are fine and she is perfectly fine. Some must just be harder to pass than others.

 

[angelmarie]

my astrolorpe does that

 

[MissPrissy]

Those freckles aren't blood spots. It is just a different pigment concentration in the shell. I have 2 cuckoo marans that lay the spotted eggs every single day. You don't have anything to worry about.

We have been cultivated by the commercial egg indutry to expect eggs to be perfect and uniform. When we start raising our own chickens we get thrown by the things we see outside of our 'norm' of perfection. Raise chickens long enough and you will see some strange yet interesting things.

 

[spiked_illusions]

I'm glad you asked that question. One of my chickens has been laying what I thought was a speckled egg, but I was washing one off today, and realized that it was probably blood spots, because they came off. From everyones reply it seems like nothing to worry about. So thats good. How ever, I have another question.
I have three rhode islands, one is much larger than the others, one is medium size, and one, just can't seem to put on much weight. when I pick her up, you can feel the breast bone protruding. Also she has lost some feathers on her belly. I am assuming her eggs are the ones with blood spots, they are usually much lighter in color than the other eggs, and they are smaller. I see her eat as much as the others, they don't peck at eachother much, we let them run around our yard, for about 4-5 hours a day....hmmmm So what do you guys think? Is she just a sickly hen? what can one do to help a skinny chicken with a weak egg problem?
Thanks!

 

[MissPrissy]

If she is loosing weight and anemic she could need a good worming. Then supplement her diet with protein - meat scraps, eggs, yogurt, rice, oatmeal etc. to help her gain weight.

 

[spiked_illusions]

Thanks I'll try that!