Dirty Egg

[RedBarnHens]

Hi everyone. I'm pretty sure that all 6 of my chickens are now laying. We have been getting eggs from the 2 older chickens since we got them. The other 4 were 19 weeks old when we got them 3 weeks ago. Our eggs increased from 2, to 3, then 4 and then this morning there were 5 in the nesting boxes, including a double-yolker!! However, one of the smaller eggs, so I'm presuming it's from a newer layer, is quite dirty and has what appears to be blood on it! I've never had to wash an egg so far and I don't really want to wash off the protective coating. Do you think one of my chickens has a problem?? I've just completed my first worming of them. Advice please

 

[rick]

I don't think I would be too worried as long as it didn't repeatedly happen with the same hen. The shell looks good!
Give them a check over to make sure that none of them have cuts or blood near the vent (or anywhere else including feet) that would be a target for pecking etc. Otherwise just keep an eye on things generally.
No need to wash the egg and if you don't fancy it yourself then you could give it to the dog or make them some scrambled egg as a treat.
I have very occationally had a smear of blood on an egg. It's always been a one off and it happening with a first egg doesn't seem surprising.

 

[Marigold]

I agree, it's quite normal when a pullet starts to lay for there to be some kind of abnormality in the first few eggs laid whilst her system settles down. It's sort of puberty, after all. I expect that egg stretched her oviduct a bit and made it bleed a little. Personally I do wash dirty eggs using a cloth and cold water, just before I use them, though its OK not to. The egg is a brilliantly designed bit of packaging which usually keeps the business bit clean and safe, either to hatch or to eat. The problem may occur if you wash and then store them after you've removed the protective coating, thus giving time for bacteria to penetrate the pores of the egg. But unless the egg is really filthy because a hen has slept and pooed in the nestbox, it's not really a big deal. After all, one of the reasons for keeping our own hens is to have super-fresh eggs, compared with the ones in the shops which have been stored for at least 7-10 days before purchase, giving time for bacteria to develop.

 

[RedBarnHens]

Thanks both. When I went up to see to the chickens this morning there were 4 eggs of various sizes and all clean. I have now cleaned out the nesting boxes and put in fresh Aubiose. One disaster today though! I always collect the eggs in a small basket and then put it outside the chicken run whilst I finish cleaning. Today I hear a 'crunch, crunch' noise and rushed out to find my two labs had knocked the basket off and eaten 3 of the eggs!!! They only left me the very small one. However, 'Dora' is at this moment sitting in the nest trying to be helpful and make up the numbers

 

[Marigold]

Oh yes! We have a confirmed egg eater here, too - like yours, she has no feathers, a hairy coat and four legs.