What’s up with these egg shells? Are they safe to eat?

[Monte93]

So I just discovered one of my chickens has been laying outside the nesting boxes. I found 14 eggs and a few of them look like this. Does anyone know what the brown watercolor-like streaks mean?

 

[LaFleche]

Where did you find them? Sometimes the fresh and still humid bloom can react with plant material or similar.

Since you found them outside and do not know when they were laid, I suggest you sniff them each carefully and float them in cold water to see how fresh they are. Fresh eggs will sink to the bottom, old eggs will stand upright or the very old ones will even float on the surface

 

[Monte93]

I found them in tall grass under a young lilac tree. They definitely got morning sun for however long they've been there but I would say the grass shaded them out a bit. I'll try the float test - thank you!

 

[LaFleche]

I found them in tall grass under a young lilac tree. They definitely got morning sun for however long they've been there but I would say the grass shaded them out a bit. I'll try the float test - thank you!

Just to be on the safe side, crack them open separately and if in doubt, toss them.
It is just not worth it to risk getting sick over a few eggs.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Yes, crack each one into a bowl to make sure they are okay. If a hen has been setting on them you could find some very unpleasant surprises indide! Me, I would pitch them all.