Hen's eggs with blood on them

[jimnjay]

I have a little Faverolle that is just shy of 1 year old. She has been an off and on again layer. Lately she has had eggs with a slight smear of blood and I did not worry. For the last two days, there was way more blood than I consider normal. This little one did lay last fall and then was sporadic during the short winter days. I have her on Avia Charge and I am keeping her away from the rooster. Is there anything else I should be doing for her and any ideas what is causing this. The others are on the same diet and doing fine. I feed a lay pellet and throw a 16 % scratch mix often which includes BOSS. They also get scrambled eggs about once a week with yogert and oatmeal mixed in. They are just starting to eat the grass that is coming in. I just completed my worming program. Fenbendazole and Invermectin 10 days later.

 

[shabby-rose]

Im not sure if i am much help, but have yor tried keeping her in the dark for a week or so to stop her laying and give he time to rest, maybe this may settle things down a bit

 

[robin416]

This has been coming up more often lately. I've learned a couple of things that could be the cause:

1. The bird could be over weight, Wes is the one that explained this one. Let's hope I remember the way he put it correctly. He stated fat builds up around the ova duct causing it to be extremely difficult for the bird to pass the egg. Because of the scratch and additional treats I'm wondering if this is the one to look at first.

2. Egg condition. I just read that rough shelled eggs can tear delicate tissue as its expelled from the body.

3. Egg size, if the egg is large in comparison to the bird then it too can tear tissues.

 

[shandea]

I'm reading Storey's Guide to Raising Chickens and just read that blood on eggs could mean the chicken has coccidia. Not sure what to do to treat it, as I haven't gotten that far.

 

[jimnjay]

Well I know how to treat Cocci but I doubt that is the problem somehow. Tho it certainly could be if her immune system is out of wack with the rest of her flock. They all have very healthy looking poop, at least from what I see in the run. She shows no signs of being fluffed up but she does like to avoid the others and she always has, I assumed it was because she is the youngest and she sometimes gets bullied by the RIR/Faverolle mutt that wants to be the boss.

I know that being fat,and Faverolles are little piggies, can cause the problem. I am going to check her out and see if she seems plump. I don't remember how to tell that I will have to read up on it. I know how to tell if they are to thin.

Thanks guys, I will keep you all updated on how she does. This is new to me after 4 years of having this hobby. I have rarely had a sick bird it was always a little one.

The Idea of placeing her in a seperate darkened spot is a good idea too. Maybe taking her out of her laying cycle will do her some good. I can better monitor her that way too.

 

[robin416]

Jaynie, if there is a way to tell short of weighing please let me know too. Like you if I can feel the keel then the bird is too light. Otherwise I guess we need to get a scale of some type and know what our different breeds should way and at what age.

 

[hinkjc]

When hens go in and out of lay, a little blood on the egg may be normal. If it is a lot, then she's got something going on and I agree to stop her lay cycle and give her a rest.

I have never heard of blood on an egg being a sign of cocci. Blood in feces is a sign of cocci and something to be concerned about. If I'm wrong on the egg point, I'm hope someone will correct me.

Jody

 

[shandea]

I'll try to remember to post the page number where the book references blood on the egg when I get home.

 

[DuckLady]

The part of the book referenced above is Storey's Guide to Raising Chickens, Chapter 6, "Layer Management".

Page 122 (in my copy) it says ...."Bloody shells sometimes appear when pullets start laying before their bodies are ready, causing tissue to tear. Other reasons for blood on shells include excess protein in the lay ration and coccidiosis, a disease that causes intestinal bleeding. Cocci does not often infect mature birds, but if it does, you will likely find bloody droppings as well as bloody shells"

So I think you probably don't have anything to worry about if the poo is normal.

 

[shandea]

Thanks... I'll remember this.