Wondering if the eggs are ok to eat.

[Hangin Wit My Peeps]

We get our eggs from a farmer who raises chickens but I noticed when I picked up the eggs this last time that a lot of the hens has feathers gone from the back (top of rump area) are the chickens sick? Is that something I should be worried about when eating the eggs?

 

[coopist]

Probably this is the result of an overzealous rooster mating with the hens. It often happens when there is a low roo to hen ratio--the rooster will knock the feathers out. The farmer may need to give these hens a break. Another possibility is that the hens are going through a molt. Either way, it has nothing to do with the eggs.

 

[mmajw]

Also could be moulting.

 

[Hangin Wit My Peeps]

The hens didn't seem sick in anyway and looked to me like she had put some sort of purple medication on the bare spots? Anyone know what the purple stuff could be? WHen they molt do they lose all their fethers? Or just some? How long before the feathers grown back?

 

[mmajw]

The purple stuff could have been blu-kote, which helps keep infection out if she had an open spot. That could have been where a Rooster was too rough on her or moulting. Moulting doesnt necessarily mean that they loose all their feathers and it could take a few weeks for new to grow in.

I bet she is fine, the farmer was just trying to heal any open wound. Most farmers use blu-kote even though it does leave that color. It won't harm her or the eggs.