Cause for concern?

[newhope]

Is a smear of what appears to be egg yolk on the outside of an otherwise ok egg cause for concern?
I have 4 almost 2 year old laying hens who by their choice all lay in the same box. When I was just collecting eggs (there were only 2), I noticed what seemed to be yolk on the outside of 1 of them.
Thanks for any input!

 

[Higins00]

I'd wash it off and put it in the fridge.

 

[newhope]

Thanks!

 

[mercedes]

Are you sure it's yolk?If so,how did it get on the outside of the egg?Was there a broken egg in the nest box or maybe(hopefully not) inside the hen.

 

[newhope]

The reason for my concern was that there was no evidence of a broken egg in the nest. The substance on the outside of the egg was yellow like yolk and did wash off the egg.
Thanks for your reply.

 

[KYGramma]

I get that too....think they ate a broken one....

 

[newhope]

Thanks, that could be it!