Omlet Smart Autodoor - New in box

[clucky h]

The day before yesterday I found some dried blood smeared on the shell of the egg Lucille had laid - not a lot, but enough to worry me. It looked as if it had been smeared on as she was laying it.

 

I had a look at her bum and couldn't see anything, although to be honest I'm not sure what I was likely to see, and was reluctant to investigate inside lest I damage anything.

 

This morning she laid another egg and there is blood on that one too, albeit less than before.

 

Apart from this, she is behaving as usual and her normal chicken ability to poo like a machine has not been impaired.

 

Does anyone have any idea what this might be? And is it something that will clear up naturally or should I be hot-footing it to the vet's? Not keen on the latter version as I'm yet to find a vet round here who knows even as much about chickens as I do (which is pathetically little), but if I had an idea of what it might be that might solve that problem.

 

Any help appreciated!

[Plum]

If it's just a smear I wouldn't worry probably just a little damage maybe from a peck when laying.

 

I did read that it could happen when they have parasites so it may be worth looking for them and maybe worming

[clucky h]

Thanks Plum - that's very reassuring!

 

Come to think of it, it has been a while since they were wormed. However, at the moment they're just starting some treatment for mysterious feather loss so I think if it's not too serious I might delay worming them until that's done. It might even be connected I suppose...

 

Anyway, you have put my mind at rest.

[tom123]

I think what Plum is referring to is red mites. They can get smeared across the egg and as they are red it looks like blood. But I doubt red mites at this time of year! Probably just a peck or a cut maybe.

 

Tom

[clucky h]

Thanks Tom!

 

Smeared red mites eh, what a lovely thought...

 

Lucille seems to be taking a little break from laying eggs which I'm sure will help whatever it is heal up. So I think I was just worrying over nothing.

 

Thanks again!