Bloody shells

[Cavigielli]

Chickens are just a year old. I don't know who but I have been getting a few eggs with bloody shells after a few months of not laying eggs. Is this normal. I have also lost three chickens in the last four days but I don't know why? All here if he chickens had wide open vent holes.. help. Is it safe to eat eggs that my chickens have been laying if it is possible that they are sick?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Chickens are just a year old. I don't know who but I have been getting a few eggs with bloody shells after a few months of not laying eggs. Is this normal. I have also lost three chickens in the last four days but I don't know why? All here if he chickens had wide open vent holes.. help. Is it safe to eat eggs that my chickens have been laying if it is possible that they are sick?

Hi

Welcome To BYC

The hens that have not been laying - were they molting - is this the reason for not laying?
What type of food/treats do you feed?
Did the chickens that died have any symptoms - coughing, sneezing, runny eyes, mucous, diarrhea with blood/mucous, lethargy, going off feed, etc.?

Hens that have gone through a molt and have begun to lay again can possibly have a little blood on the egg as they get back into the "routine". Provide them with fresh water, fresh feed and oyster shell free choice. If the bloody eggs continue, then you may need to evaluate your space and flock behavior to see if stress could be a contributing factor.

More concerning is losing 3 chickens in 4 days. I recommend that you send one for necropsy if you lose another one, this will help you figure out what's going on.


Necropsy and State labs
http://www.metzerfarms.com/PoultryLabs.cfm
http://www.usaha.org/Portals/6/StateAnimalHealthOfficials.pdf
https://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/nahln/downloads/all_nahln_lab_list.pdf
Independent lab testing:
http://www.zoologix.com/