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One of those unsettling surprises of raising backyard chickens might be finding blood on an egg your hen has laid. If you’re concerned about what might be causing this and whether you need to take action, we have some insights. Here, we’ll address common questions about bloody eggs, what to do if you find one, and when it might be necessary to consult a vet.
Why are your chickens laying bloody eggs?
A blood spot connected to the yolk means bleeding had occurred inside the ovary when the egg was separated from the follicle. It does not mean it’s been fertilized or is unsafe to eat. Blood spots outside the egg are from a ruptured blood vessel in her oviduct or vent muscles.
What Does A Bloody Egg Mean?
While it might seem alarming to see blood spots on the egg your hen laid (or some spots in her nest), it happens occasionally. Blood spots occur naturally during the laying cycle. They are usually the result of a tiny, ruptured blood vessel in either her ovaries or oviduct (which is the tube that the eggs pass through).
Larger eggs can cause this and can also occur when your hen is just beginning to lay eggs because her vent muscles are not yet accustomed to this process.
If she has any open sores or visible blood, separate her from the others because chickens, for whatever reason, like to mercilessly peck at bloody areas, which can result in injury or death, so keep her apart from them until she’s healed.
What Do You Do If Your Hen Has A Prolapse?
Wash the area with warm, antiseptic-infused water. Cover her head and tuck her under your arm, and then – with clean hands – gently push the prolapse back into her vent cavity (you can apply hemorrhoid cream to help shrink it, which will make this easier to do).
Allow her to recover in a box or darkened room (this allows the prolapse to settle back inside her body). Don’t allow her to lay for a while, and do not feed her for 24 hours (but make sure to give her water). Then, gradually feed her a bland diet (Weetabix).
You can help to restore her calcium by adding electrolytes and vitamins to her water.
Another diagnosis you need to consider is vent gleet.
What If Your Hen Is Egg Bound?
If your hen looks hunched, fluffed up, and miserable, she may be egg-bound (meaning that the egg is stuck inside of her, and she is struggling to pass it). She might also be panting, breathing quickly, and straining.
You can help her by sitting her in a bowl of warm water or blowing warm air from a hair dryer at her vent (make sure it’s not hot; otherwise, it might burn her).
You can also use olive oil or Vaseline to help her by rubbing it on her vent. This will relax her muscles, allowing her to pass the egg.
What If You See An Egg Stuck In Her Vent?
Sometimes, a hen cannot pass the egg on her own. In this case, you must remove it carefully to ensure it doesn’t break. If it does happen to break, carefully remove the pieces to avoid an abdominal infection.
What Does It Mean When You Crack An Egg, and It’s Red?
Seeing the red inside of an egg you’ve just cracked open does not mean it has been fertilized or is unsafe to eat.
A spot of blood connected to the yolk usually means that the bleeding occurred inside the ovary when the egg separated from the follicle (the sac containing blood vessels and fluid).
Is A Bloody Egg Ok To Eat?
Blood inside eggs does not render them inedible, and they are safe to eat as long as you’ve properly cooked them. Just like blood on the outside shell of an egg can occur from time to time, so too can this occur inside, and it is no cause for concern.
If the idea of blood makes you feel queasy, you can scrape the bloody part out as you cook your egg, but there’s no need to worry if you choose not to.
When Should You Contact A Vet?
It’s important to contact your veterinarian if you notice that:
- Your hen is bleeding often
- There is a lot of blood
- You notice blood on her vent
- You also notice blood in her mucus or droppings, which could indicate coccidiosis.
Overall, occasionally finding a little bit of blood on the outside (or inside) of your hen’s eggs is not usually cause for concern because it’s relatively common for hens to bleed sometimes when laying.
Just keep an eye on her, keep her clean, and help her if needed. Don’t stress yourself out – pay attention and give her a little love, and everything will be okay.
