Egg: Blood, Yolk not formed, and cloudy stringy whites

[jraamjjross]

My kids have been selling the extra eggs and a customer told me there was blood in a few. I figured it was just a blood/meat dot and can be removed. But yesterday I encountered 5 eggs out of a dozen that when opened were messes. The yolk was not formed - runny not round. The white was milky color, and there was blood on the yolk or all in the shell around the membrane.

What would cause this? Do I need to worry about a illness, or could this be just human error - kids picking up developing eggs from a brooder's nest?

I have an assortment of 20 hens and a rooster. Occasionally we do allow a hen to hatch, but we usually keep a good eye so we don't mix. We pick up daily or more often otherwise. It has also been very hot here 90 to 110.

Any suggestions would be welcomed.

 

[Judy]

I don't know the answer, but this is a pretty thorough resource so maybe you can figure it out. Good luck!

http://www.thepoultrysite.com/publications/1/egg-quality-handbook/11/egg-defects

 

[jtbrown]

I'm not the original poster, but what a cool resource, I had questions about the small red/brown spots on eggs, etc., really informative, thanks for the referral. Looks like really geared toward commercial producers, but answers some questions about basic "funny looking" but harmless eggs! Thanks a lot.

 

[jraamjjross]

Thank you for that resource. Although it did not pin-point my problem, it did answer many other questions I had. I think the eggs just may have been old/spoiled. But there was no odor so I am not sure.

 

[Vora]

Blood spots

"Blood spots vary from barely distinguishable spots on the surface of the yolk to heavy blood contamination throughout the yolk."

Did you take a look at that? Sounds like your issue.

 

[jraamjjross]

It is not just a blood spot or a bloody yolk. The white is cloudy and very watery and even stringy. The blood is also vein looking in the membrane. In reading the symptoms it is like 3-4 issues within the list. That is why I said it did not pin point them. It did give me ideas on how to handle it and what to watch for. This forum is great.

 

[Vora]

Is it possible that you - or the kids - have been picking up eggs that are starting to develop? That veining sounds like something I would look for when I candle my hatching eggs.

 

[jraamjjross]

It is possible. We had two nests that we had some brooders within the last few months. We only got two chicks out of them and disposed of the rest. Human mistakes could have happened, but I thought we were being careful. I am being super careful to make sure it doesn't happen again and to narrow the problem if it does happen again. Thanks

 

[PAchickenlover]

Try marking the broody hen's eggs with some thing. That way if the kids do accidentally pick one up, you will know the difference easily.

 

[hcppam]

all good to know.