I Cracked an Egg and It Was Red Inside
You’re in the kitchen, about to make breakfast. You crack open an egg—and instead of the familiar golden yolk and clear egg white, you see red inside. Instantly, your stomach turns and your mind races. Is it blood? Is the egg bad? Can you still eat it?
If you’ve cracked an egg and found red inside, you’re not alone—and in most cases, it’s not as scary as it looks.
This guide explains why eggs sometimes appear red, what causes it, whether it’s safe to eat, and when to toss it.
Why Is There Red Inside My Egg?
Red inside an egg is usually due to a blood spot or ruptured blood vessel during the egg’s formation.
Here’s how it happens:
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Chickens lay eggs through a reproductive process that starts with ovulation of a yolk.
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Sometimes, a tiny blood vessel ruptures in the hen’s ovary or oviduct.
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This causes a small blood spot—which can look red, maroon, or even brownish.
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In rare cases, if blood mixes more thoroughly, it can tint the egg white or yolk red.
This is natural and not a sign that the egg was fertilized or spoiled.
What Does a Blood Spot in an Egg Look Like?
Blood spots vary in appearance. Here’s what you might see:
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A tiny red or brown speck on the surface of the yolk
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A smear of blood in the egg white
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In rare cases, entire areas of the white or yolk tinted red
Most blood spots are smaller than a pencil eraser and easy to remove with a spoon if they bother you.
Is a Red Egg Dangerous?
No, red or bloody-looking eggs are not inherently dangerous.
Here’s why:
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Blood spots do not mean the egg is fertilized.
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They are not a sign of disease.
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The egg is usually still fresh and perfectly safe to eat—as long as it smells and looks normal otherwise.
When NOT to eat a red egg:
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If the egg smells rotten or sulfuric
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If the egg white is discolored (green, pink, or cloudy beyond normal)
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If there’s excessive blood throughout the egg (rare but possible in sick hens)
Trust your senses—smell and look before you cook.
What Causes Red Eggs in Backyard Chickens?
If you raise your own chickens and find red inside your eggs, it could be caused by:
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Young or new layers: Pullets (young hens) are more likely to rupture tiny blood vessels.
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Nutritional deficiencies: Lack of vitamin A or K can make blood vessel walls weaker.
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Stress or injury: A sudden scare, pecking, or rough handling can disrupt egg formation.
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Genetics: Some breeds are more prone to blood spots.
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Flock management: Crowding or inconsistent lighting can increase stress and lead to defects.
Want to make sure your flock is healthy and has enough room? Try this chicken coop calculator to figure out exactly how much space your hens need. It can prevent problems like stress-induced blood spots.
Store-Bought Eggs vs. Backyard Eggs
Why don’t you see blood in store-bought eggs more often?
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Commercial eggs go through candling, a process where they’re lit from behind to check for defects.
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Eggs with visible blood spots are usually removed before reaching shelves.
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Backyard eggs are rarely candled—so you’re more likely to see the occasional natural imperfection.
In other words: store-bought eggs have the same issues—you just don’t see them.
Can a Red Egg Be Fertilized?
Red inside the egg doesn’t mean it’s fertilized.
A fertilized egg may have a tiny white bullseye on the yolk, but this is very subtle and not the same as a blood spot. Blood spots happen in both fertilized and unfertilized eggs.
Also, if you’re not keeping a rooster, your eggs can’t be fertilized—period.
What Should I Do If I Crack a Red Egg?
Here’s a quick checklist:
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Check the smell: If it smells normal, it’s likely safe.
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Inspect the egg:
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Tiny blood spot? Safe to eat.
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Large blood clots or red streaks? Use discretion—maybe toss it if it looks off.
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Scoop the blood spot out if it makes you uncomfortable.
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Cook thoroughly: Heat neutralizes bacteria (if any) and kills pathogens.
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Trust your judgment: If the egg looks or smells wrong, don’t risk it.
Can I Eat an Egg With Blood in It?
Yes, most eggs with blood inside are completely safe to eat—especially after cooking.
Still, some people choose to discard them out of personal or religious beliefs. If that’s you, it’s okay to be cautious. But scientifically speaking, these eggs are safe when properly stored and cooked.
Tip: If you’re frequently finding bloody eggs from your backyard hens, reassess their environment using a chicken coop calculator to make sure they’re not overcrowded or stressed.
How to Reduce Blood Spots in Your Flock
If you’re raising your own hens and want to minimize red or bloody eggs:
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Feed a complete layer diet with proper vitamins and minerals
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Reduce stress: Avoid loud noises, predators, or aggressive flock mates
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Ensure enough space per bird: Use a coop size tool to check your setup
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Limit roosters: Aggressive roosters can harm hens during mating
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Provide consistent lighting: Sudden changes in daylight hours can stress hens
The best prevention? A low-stress, well-managed flock. Use the chicken coop calculator to help you optimize your coop size and flock health.
Conclusion: Don’t Panic—Red Inside an Egg Is Usually Harmless
Finding red inside an egg can be surprising—but in most cases, it’s just a natural (and harmless) imperfection. Blood spots are common, especially in backyard flocks, and don’t mean your egg is bad, unsafe, or fertilized.
When in doubt, inspect and trust your senses. If it smells fine and the appearance is otherwise normal, you can cook it and eat it safely.
Want to prevent future egg issues? Give your hens the space and care they need. Calculate how much coop space your chicken needs to reduce stress, prevent laying problems, and raise a happy, healthy flock.
Red in your egg? Now you know—it’s nothing to scramble over.
