Blood on egg - new layer

[kathyd]

Hi there

My little damaged hen, whom I didn't really expect to lay at all, has just produced her first egg. Unfortunately it has blood on the shell, and I don't know whether this is automatically a bad sign or not? Is this something that happens sometimes with a new layer, or is it more likely because she's damaged? I must admit I've been kind of hoping she'd never lay, just in case it caused problems for her

[Hilary B]

It's not that unusual in a new layer, if it continues after a few eggs, it might be significant.

[kathyd]

Thanks Hilary, I'll keep an eye on her and see how it goes then. I do hope it clears itself up, she's such a little trooper despite her problems .

[chris]

You could check her vent to see if she is still bleeding, but as Hilary says it's probably nothing major (just a burst blood vessel).

[kathyd]

I did have a peek at her rump earlier to see if I could see any blood or anything, but she looked clean, and she also seems happy enough toddling around and eating as if there's no tomorrow - so fingers crossed, and assuming everything's OK I may even have 2 little blue-egg layers instead of one, which would be lovely