Previous clear eggs now blood smeared

[smicara]

I have a variety of girls and 1 rooster. All birds were 6 months old last August. The Easter Egger has been laying perfectly normal looking green eggs but the last 2 eggs have been blood smeared. I understand young birds can have a problem until the “equipment is adjusted” but she had been laying clear eggs before. I’m curious as to why the change.
Thank you

 

[Jener8or]

They could be bigger sized, or had a rough spot or anything like that to break a blood vessel. It happens, but I would just consider it a bit of a glitch and hope she gets to laying normal eggs soon.

 

[LaFleche]

Inspect her vent closely, she might be suffering from partial prolapse or similar.

 

[Mrs. K]

I think they get a little tear, like a paper cut on your finger. They begin to heal up, and it tears a little bit, heals up some more, tinier tear, and then it is gone. Generally it goes away in a couple of days.

 

[smicara]

 

[Jener8or]

View attachment 3952458

I would check their vents to see if anyone has prolapsed.

 

[smicara]

This is the egg I gathered this morning. Whatever is going on has not changed in over a week. I checked her and she doesn’t appear to be prolapsed or in distress of any sort. Any other suggestions out there would be most appreciated. Thanks

 

[Jener8or]

Have you checked them for mites? Do you give them any treats? If you do, I would maybe cut out the treats and only give them layer feed with oyster shell on the side just to make sure they are getting enough calcium, and minerals and nutrients they need.

Chickens naturally take a day off laying after a 5-7 days, so hopefully her day off gives her enough time to heal.

Do you know what chicken is laying them? You could possibly try putting some Vaseline or a similar ointment on her vent so see if that helps the problem go away.

 

[smicara]

The only treats we have given them is a head of cabbage. The girl that is laying the blood smeared eggs is the only Easter Egger in the flock. She has been laying regularly every 2-3 days, all blood smeared, since early last week. I will certainly check her for mites and apply some Vaseline. Thanks for your suggestions.

 

[BDutch]

I dont believe its the food. Probably a blood vessel that got hurt laying an egg and opens every time when laying. Vaseline might help.

A break in laying eggs would be the best to give it time to heal properly. If you can put her in a dark room for about 18 h a day, she will lay less eggs and might stop laying (temporarily) within a few weeks.

Other possibility is to encourage her to get broody. Set her apart in a nest box/small coop with 4-6 fake eggs. It only works if her hormones say she wants babies.