Blood in nest box!

Monday am when I went to let my trio out I found them all in the nest box - just - a bit small for 3!! Cockerel has never shown interest in the nest box previously - why should he?

I noticed that there were blood spatters in the sleeping area and they were reluctant to move even the cockerel who is not tame. Pushed them all away to find 2 eggs, one covered in blood, and a small pool of blood - they were pecking at, and presumably eating this. I examined all of them but could find no wounds and particularly checked the vents on the hens which were a nice healthy pink with no signs of blood. All 3 birds had blood spatters on them. Full clean necessary in a blizzard!!

Does anyone have any idea what may have causesd this, I assume it may be to do with the laying of an egg. One hen only started to lay about 2 weeks ago. All eggs have been consistent sizes and shell quality.

One egg Tuesday and they all seem normal. Eating well etc.

Hi Sassy,

If there is a large quantity of blood largely in one area-in the nest box it is likely that it is to do with laying. It could be that the laying itself had caused a slight heamorrhage (bleed) caused by a tear internally, which eventually sorted itself out.
The unusual thing is the "spatters" perhaps the other chickens have been pecking.
Keep an eye on her -and watch out for any evidence of vent protruding or straining.
Keep her on a strict layers only diet - no treats and plenty of access to oyster shell.
Hope it was just a one off!

chickens can be a bit blood thirsty, and will peck anything blood coloured - i threw a mouse out of the feed bin the other day which was, to my horror, gobbled up by a hen.

was it alive or dead?