speckled eggs

[alayton]

I have been wanting to ask you a question about the eggs i have been getting. They are nice sized, brown eggs but some ( i would have to say about half) have little dark brown specks all over. I thought for a long time it was just the color of the egg the chicken made. I do wash my eggs off when i bring them in ( i have heard that i should not... I just have a problem with putting them in my fridge unwashed...they just came from a chicken rear!!!!) anyway... i noticed a while back after washing for a few long seconds that these flecks were washing off!!! is this blood? do my birds have internal bugs? Is this a situation that needs immediate attention?
After reading some of the posts here I have read about Coopex. What is this? Thank You!! alayton

[crazychick]

Yes, the specks might be blood. External mites are usually the cause (or lice or fleas). Have a close look between the feathers of your hens- if they are infested, you may want to clean out your barn and give all your girls ivomec (ivermectin) dewormer, as that (given orally) will kill blood sucking external parasites and many internal parasites as well. I have heard of Coopex, but I don't have any experience with it. I paint the roosts with mineral oil to kill most of the mites (after giving the flock ivomec) and I repeat the mineral oil/ivomec treatment in 10 days (then again in a month). You can also dust the coop with Sevin powder, usually sold as a livestock delouser powder- this may make the coop pretty dusty, though- might want to just put it in the corners so it isn't constantly kicked up by scratching hens.

As for washing your eggs- totally fine. I do not, but that is a personal preference. Just so you know, though - when hens lay an egg, they put a "bloom" on the egg, which is an antibacterial coating secreted by the hen. This keeps bacteria out (and fungi) but still allows the egg to breathe- exchange oxygen and CO2. This way, a potentially developing chick isn't infected by bacteria and fungi, but can still get O2 and CO2 through the egg. Refridgerated eggs (and non-refridgerated eggs) last much longer if this bloom is not washed off. if you are concerned, though- maybe put unwashed eggs in the fridge and wash them right before cracking them.

Laura

[alayton]

WOW!! you have such a wealth of knowledge... I am so glad there is a place like this to post questions and concerns...I do not know many people at all that have chickens and who like to do these "farm" activities and therefore I have nobody to ask these questions to. It is a bit sad that there are not more people that take an interest in raising farm animals anymore. There is so much enjoyment in this!!! Thank You again for this Great Information! Amy