Pottage Posted January 4, 2015 Share Posted January 4, 2015 Does anyone know much about the cuticle, the liquid they coat their eggs with they are just laid? I managed to get Steve's bum fresh this morning, and noticed that rather than being clear the cuticle had a brown tinge, almost bloody, kind of like what the end of a period looks like (sorry for the tmi!). It dried as quick as the clear one does, and I've had a look at her vent and it looks healthy and she is fine in herself I just wondered if anyone else had seen this and if it's "normal". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beantree Posted January 4, 2015 Share Posted January 4, 2015 Our Marans stain the bedding slightly brown Pottage, others it is completely clear. In the Marans case it must have something to do with the egg colour. It is only a lubricant which then doubles as a sealer coat, to keep the moisture in during incubation. Isn't nature clever! I shouldn't worry unless it gets worse. It could just be 'one off' minor bleeding and may not be evident next egg? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickabee Posted January 5, 2015 Share Posted January 5, 2015 Ah that explains why my Maran's egg get stuck to the woodchip Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beantree Posted January 6, 2015 Share Posted January 6, 2015 Two of our three Marans lay very wet eggs Chickabee and their eggs get covered in bits of wood chip as well. Happens with some of the other breeds but not so noticeable on a white egg. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pottage Posted January 6, 2015 Author Share Posted January 6, 2015 I've looked at her egg from today and that has spots of dried blood all over the top of it. It's definitely blood because I can scratch it off with my finger nail Has anyone seen this with their hens, and know what could be causing it? I've had a look back through her eggs and they have some speckling but nothing like this. She laid a weird one on December 16th that had what looked like a repaired crack in it, or a very deep scratch (bottom pic). Not sure if it's related? She's a two year old ex barn girl and usually lays every day, though the last couple of days she's been every other day which I expect is just due to winter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pottage Posted January 6, 2015 Author Share Posted January 6, 2015 This is the one she made with the brown cuticle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickabee Posted January 6, 2015 Share Posted January 6, 2015 I've had similar from my exbats before. Also thin shells, or rough shells. Sometimes I give them a little vitamin D mixed into something tasty. Never had any bad tasting eggs though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
