amy_richard Posted December 2, 2008 Share Posted December 2, 2008 Hi all, I have had three hens for 6 months and have noticed over the last week or two that one is laying eggs with a small patch of red around the base of the egg, its a bit like a dust or crust. The hens receive fresh water each day and are fed on layers and mixed corn with a few handfulls of grit thrown in each day, they get a warm bowl of plain rice at the weekends as a treat. They are largely confined to the eglu run at the minute due the short days and work, but I have not noticed any unusual behaviour when they have been out in the gardens at weekends etc... Any advice would be grately appreaciated. Thanks Richard & Amy & Inca, Maya (the poorly one) and Henrietta Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted December 2, 2008 Share Posted December 2, 2008 I sometimes get odd things like white calcium-like deposits on Maisie's eggs and I think we've had reddish stuff too (can't quite remember ). Can't explain it - unless it's dried blood - but if your girls look/behave OK I shouldn't think it's anything to worry about. Welcome to the forum, by the way . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted December 3, 2008 Share Posted December 3, 2008 Is it dried blood or just a bit of odd pigmentation? Does it wipe off with a damp piece of kitchen paper? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted December 3, 2008 Share Posted December 3, 2008 Could be any of three things: 1. A band of pigmentation 2. Blood streaks form laying 3. Blood speckles caused by red mite (but then all the eggs would probably have it) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amy_richard Posted December 3, 2008 Author Share Posted December 3, 2008 Thanks for your advice all. It does not wipe off and does not look like blood. I think it may well be the pigmentation explanation as the eggs are often paler on the days it occurs and it is only happening to one hen. Is this a problem or just a quirk of the bird? She seems fine in herself. Cheers Richard, Amy & Maya the hen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted December 3, 2008 Share Posted December 3, 2008 Sounds just like it's a malfunction in her egg-laying tackle to me. If she is otherwise fit, then I wouldn't worry about it. Most hens lay eggs of varying colours and the density of the colour usually lessens towards the end of that laying period. I used to have a hen that laid two-tone eggs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GKH Posted December 3, 2008 Share Posted December 3, 2008 i also have the same with my girls eggs occasionally didn't worry 'til now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted December 3, 2008 Share Posted December 3, 2008 Same here.....we get the odd one. As long as the hen is otherwise well, I wouldn't worry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
