Blood on eggs

[Marigold]

My year-old White Leghorn is laying every day, rather large eggs in relation to her tiny body, and I'm noticing that they often have quite a lot of blood on them, (about every third or fourth egg). She appears in perfect health otherwise, large red comb, vent clean, eating well, very active and bossy, no signs of prolapse. But it looks as if laying must be very uncomfortable or painful for her. Any advice?

 

[rick]

Was that really a year ago - I remember you saying she roosted away from the others when you got her. Time flies!
My blacktail lays big eggs and had a smear of blood occasionally but that was only in the first few months of laying. Her eggs often have speckled ends now and I wonder if it is all pigment or if there isn’t a bit of blood involved.
Presumably big yokes are the cause - don’t know what can be done about that.

 

[chrismahon]

Sounds like the eggs are not only large but dry as well, so she isn't producing enough lubricant Marigold. The only thing I can suggest is a single 0.5mL shot of cod liver oil, to see if the vitamins will stimulate her production. It's something we do a lot for various complaints and seems to generally work wonders. We have had blood on eggs in the past, but it was only at first lay or a restart of laying- the vent appears to shrink over Winter.

 

[Marigold]

Thanks Chris. Yes it does look like a lubrication problem, at the moment, though of course I'm worried it might develop to prolapse if she keeps on having difficulty pushing her eggs out. I'll try a dose of CLO and see if it helps.