I am getting a slimy albumen like substance on some of my eggs

[cutlass1972]

Recently I started getting a slimy sticky albumen like substance on some of my eggs. I am talking like enough that I see it running out of the drain holes I drilled in the bottom of my nest boxes. It makes "stuff" stick to the outside of the shells like it was glued on.

Could it be that I have one hen laying shelless eggs and eating the yolk? do chickens sometimes have some sort of discharge when they lay?

I have had them since March and have never seen this before, it is a new development in the last 3 weeks.

 

[Cindiloohoo]

maybe the eggs are cracking and leaking? Where are you?

 

[dichotomymom]

If I get eggs right after they are laid, they have discharge. It dries after awhile. It's possible that you have an egg eater but I think you would have more physical evidence (like staining etc....) inside the box.

 

[cutlass1972]

I am pretty sure they are not cracking and leaking, it is a lot of albumen and the effected eggs are pretty thoroughly coated with an even layer.
I thought of an egg eater, but wouldn't I see bits of shell and at least smears of yolk? This is only clear sticky fluid that glues yucky bots of substrate to the eggs.

I am in Cynthiana, KY.