Bloody Eggs from New Layers: Normal or Red Flag?

I was scrolling some of the backyard poultry Facebook pages and came across this. I wanted to share my response with the group😊

Yes, blood on the outside of eggshells is completely normal for new layers.

❓What causes it❓

Blood-stained eggs (blood on the exterior shell) typically occur in pullets (young hens) just starting to lay. This happens when eggs are contaminated by smears of blood from the vent area during laying.

The primary causes include:

🐓Pullets coming into lay - The reproductive tract is new to passing eggs

🐓Overweight pullets - Extra body weight can strain the vent

🐓Sudden, large increases in day length - Rapid hormonal changes

🐓Prolapsed cloaca - Tissue protrusion during laying

🐓Vent pecking or cannibalism - External trauma

The blood comes from minor tissue trauma as the egg passes through the vent. Young pullets' reproductive tracts are still adjusting to the egg-laying process, making small vessel ruptures or tissue tears common.

❓Is the egg bad?❓

No. The egg itself is safe to eat if you want. Simply wash the blood off the shell before use. As long as the shell isn't cracked, there's no food safety concern.

‼️Important: Check the hen's vent

When you find blood on an egg, examine the hen's vent area for any visible blood or injury. Vent pecking and cannibalism are recognized causes of blood-stained eggs. Blood visible on the vent can attract other flock mates to peck at the area, which can quickly escalate from minor trauma to serious injury or death.

If you observe blood on the vent:

🩸Isolate the affected hen immediately

🩸Clean the area gently

🩸Monitor closely for continued bleeding or prolapse

🩸Keep her separated until fully healed to prevent flock mate aggression

Management considerations

Maintaining proper flock nutrition is important for overall reproductive health. A balanced diet with adequate vitamins A, K, and C helps maintain healthy blood vessels and tissue integrity throughout the reproductive tract.

Most pullets naturally outgrow this issue within a few weeks as their reproductive systems mature and adjust to regular egg production.

4 comments