Could this be first egg laying related

[Ren2014]

We got our first eggs today

Two Easter Eggers at 17.5 weeks old. Our nest boxes are on the opposite wall of our roost and I found blood splattered on the ceiling above the roost. No signs of where it could have come from and all chickens seem ok. I also found some pieces of a white egg shell under the roost when scooping poop. The shells were not poopy. All of our chickens are 17.5 wks and we only have EE's and Barred Rocks. Any ideas where the blood and the white egg shell could have come from? Thank you all for any thoughts and suggestions.

 

[Messipaw]

Well I can suggest what I think. If they are all new to laying that could explain the blood. Have you checked their vents to see if they are bloody at all? When it comes to the white shell-i would say it's probably from the BR. The brown coloring on the egg is sprayed on during the reproductive process shortly before they lay it. Sometimes if I was my eggs to soon I wash off a bit of the brown coloring. EEs produce green egg shells from the start so no color will smudge off. Hope this helps a little.

 

[aart]

EE's can lay white...or brown, or green, or pink.... eggs....depends on what kind of a mix they are.
Could be someone laid their first egg off the roost onto the ground, it broke and they ate most of it.
The blood, hard to say, someone could have broken a pin feather and sprayed the blood on the ceiling, you might have to look hard to see the broken feather...or a pecked comb.....good idea to check the vents tho.
How much blood, was it bright and fresh?

 

[subhanalah]

From my understanding it is common for bleeding to occur when laying commences.

 

[Ren2014]

Well I can suggest what I think. If they are all new to laying that could explain the blood. Have you checked their vents to see if they are bloody at all? When it comes to the white shell-i would say it's probably from the BR. The brown coloring on the egg is sprayed on during the reproductive process shortly before they lay it. Sometimes if I was my eggs to soon I wash off a bit of the brown coloring. EEs produce green egg shells from the start so no color will smudge off. Hope this helps a little.

Checked vents today. All ok and no more blood was found. Our BRs have not started laying yet that I am aware of. I only found a little of the white shell. Very interesting to know the timing of the coloring. Helps a lot, thank you

 

[Ren2014]

EE's can lay white...or brown, or green, or pink.... eggs....depends on what kind of a mix they are.
Could be someone laid their first egg off the roost onto the ground, it broke and they ate most of it.
The blood, hard to say, someone could have broken a pin feather and sprayed the blood on the ceiling, you might have to look hard to see the broken feather...or a pecked comb.....good idea to check the vents tho.
How much blood, was it bright and fresh?

Bright fresh blood and it definitely appeared to be sprayed or splattered. There wasn't much, maybe like a tsp spoon or so. I'm thinking you are right out about the egg from the roost. But, there is no sign of a white egg anywhere today. Also, we only had 1 egg today. Yesterday was 2. Do I need to be concerned or are they not regular when they first start laying?? Thank you.

 

[Ren2014]

From my understanding it is common for bleeding to occur when laying commences.

I can understand but what has me baffled is that it was on the ceiling, weird. Do you know if it is common for the chicken to be dazed and confused after having just laid an egg? Seems that's what happened today when I saw the one girl come off the nest today. Thank you.

 

[subhanalah]

Maybe she laid it while she was sleeping, strained and lost her balance, falling over the roost and spraying blood up on the ceiling?

Have you checked everyone for any damage like from a rat or weasel or something?

 

[Ren2014]

Maybe she laid it while she was sleeping, strained and lost her balance, falling over the roost and spraying blood up on the ceiling?

Have you checked everyone for any damage like from a rat or weasel or something?

Very possible, thank you.

Yes, all are ok.

 

[aart]

Quote: Hard to say where the blood came from, but I doubt it was from the vent if it was sprayed on the ceiling, I'd bet pin feather on wing or tail...or a head shake and a pecked comb.
Hormone surges when they start laying can cause some odd and cranky behavior.

Not all hens lay every day..... some breeds may only lay 3-5 eggs a week, some lay 6-7......I have 8 hens aged 1-2 years and I get 4-7 eggs a day, once or twice a month I'll get 8.

Inconsistency's when they first start a laying cycle is not unusual.