Lash Egg — what next?

[Sharwig]

Advice needed. I came home today and found what I believe was a ‘lash’ egg. I’m not sure which hen yet and am narrowing it down but I’ve been busy reading several articles and posts about this and understand the cause, etc but what I don’t understand is why its recommended to cull the entire flock? Is this contagious?

My 10 hens range between 1-3 years and we did have what I believe was IB last summer but think it was a mild strain as all I noticed was sneezing and clear discharge from a few noses. Never noticed lethargy, goopy eyes, rattling lungs, etc. I did notice changes in some shells and watery albumens from my 1 yo Barred Rock who was infected shortly after she began laying (I suspect she may be the one who laid this lash egg). We also spent most of last summer battling tape worms and molting and only got 3-4 eggs all summe/fall!

I was excited as we’ve seen 8-9 of the 10 lay eggs in the last couple of weeks and now I don’t know what to do. Should I cull and start over?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Shirlain]

Not an expert so take this with a grain of salt.

Not so sure about killing the entire flock, but it may be the notion of "starting clean".

There are some who recommend culling the afflicted hen, to keep from losing egg production by digging the problem out by the roots, and to keep the rest of the flock from falling ill with the same (as there are various diseases linked to salpingitis). Furthermore, as it can be difficult to identify when a hen is afflicted, by the Time it is discovered it may have already caused permanent damage to the ovaries/oviducts, thus rendering the hen "useless" in terms of egg production, in which case it is more efficient to cull.

edit: not trying to support the notion of culling, just reasoning out why people may recommend it.

 

[Sharwig]

Not an expert so take this with a grain of salt.

Not so sure about killing the entire flock, but it may be the notion of "starting clean".

There are some who recommend culling the afflicted hen, to keep from losing egg production by digging the problem out by the roots, and to keep the rest of the flock from falling ill with the same (as there are various diseases linked to salpingitis). Furthermore, as it can be difficult to identify when a hen is afflicted, by the Time it is discovered it may have already caused permanent damage to the ovaries/oviducts, thus rendering the hen "useless" in terms of egg production, in which case it is more efficient to cull.

edit: not trying to support the notion of culling, just reasoning out why people may recommend it.

Thank you for the info!

 

[Shirlain]

Thank you for the info!

No problem, hope your chickens are alright/get better!

 

[BennieAnTheJets]

Well, I am even less of an expert, I am pretty sure - and we have only Guinea Fowl, no chickens, so the diseases/outlook may be different and/or I may be doing this wrong with our flock, also our birds are beloved individuals, not food production birds...

we had one hen lay a lash egg and I thought it was a death sentence - then I looked online and happened to find a vet saying that it may have been a fever that "cooked" the egg inside the hen, and since she got rid of it now, she may be better now / over the illness.

Our hen is still alive about 8 months later and doing well, and I have not seen anybody else get anything like this. We have plenty of other hens and males.

I did nothing for her - did not know what to do - and she did not seem to need help. I kept an eye on her for a while, but like the online vet suggested, she seemed to be over whatever she had that caused this.

Just another data point.

Also should mention that I read lots of bad outcome stories with this kind of symptom, so maybe we were just extremely lucky or something will still happen to her - I hope not.

 

[Lelilamom]

Just my 2C and a little experience. I've had my Red Sex Links laying lash eggs for years and sometimes it results in death and sometimes not. I had one girl who struggled with a lash egg every 3 months. I'd bring her in afterwards, clean her up and send her back to the coop. That went on for 2 years. She died this past summer at the age of 4+ years. I had two others that laid lash eggs the same week and died two days apart but three months later. Just this morning I pulled the biggest lash egg I've ever seen - bigger than any egg laid - frozen to one hen's butt feathers. She was moving fast around the run getting morning treats and didn't even seem to notice. She's going to be 4 yrs old. My oldest hen, Heidi, is going to be 6 yrs old and I think is struggling with a lash egg right now in our basement. All these hens are Red Sex Links. All over 3 years old. And the reason why I don't raise RSLs anymore. Too many reproductive issues. Good Luck with your hens.

 

[Hen Pen Jem]

Greetings Sharwig,

Lash eggs do present a conundrum for some chicken keepers.

To cull, or, not to cull...depends on why you have chickens. If you depend on the eggs that your chickens lay, for income or as food for the family, and they are mainly livestock. Then, you may have no choice but to cull. It is not cost efficient to keep the hen.

When there are infectious diseases such as, infectious bronchitis, some keepers find it necessary to cull the entire flock, due to the time and cost of attempting to treat an entire flock. Survivors are immune, but remain carriers, and will lay again, but the quality and quantity is not the same due to reproductive damage. Thus, the lash egg...
There is also risk in keeping hen's that are carriers, as they may infect other hens.

However, if you view your flock as part of your pet family, like your dog or cat, well then, there is no question. You will continue to keep the hen and care for her.

I currently have two hens that were exposed to an upper respiratory infection when they were 5 weeks old. They are both three years old now, have been excellent layers. Only one is not laying due to a reproductive problem. She has laid shell-less eggs, but no lash eggs. I am treating her for ascites build up and allowing her to live her days out as a valued member of our pet family. There are three different groups of hens that share the coop and run with her and her sister. None have had any incidents of upper respiratory illness. I use herbal teas, fresh vegetables and fruits to enhance the diet and strengthen their immune systems. Is it luck or loving care? I have no scientific study to show you. All I can say, to cull or not to cull is dependent on the keeper's situation.

There is no right or wrong.


These are my thoughts on your question. I hope I was helpful.

God Bless

 

[coach723]

It does look like a lash egg, if you google salpingitis in chickens you will find lots of information, some of it contradictory as to actual cause. I've had several birds with this, have one right now. Based on the numbers of birds I've had, versus those that have had this, I don't consider it terribly contagious and a risk to my flock. All of mine with it have been hatchery birds bred for prolific egg laying. I don't cull a bird with it until it's progressed to the point it's obviously ill and uncomfortable, just my choice. I've had birds live a fairly long time with it, and others did not. I've treated some, with little success long term, bought them some time maybe, but not cured and ultimately succumbed. And sometimes a bird can have it and it goes unnoticed until the bird dies and there is a necropsy. Sometimes the lash eggs don't pass, which is often the only evidence that something is going on since they are so stoic and hide it very well. If you have a vet that can test to see if the infection responds to an antibiotic, then you could try to treat if you want. I also use herbals to help build their immune system and in some cases to alleviate symptoms. As stated before, no right or wrong answer, you have to do what is best for your bird, and your flock, in your particular situation.

 

[Sharwig]

Thank you all for the wisdom and advice. We’ve had so many issues with our flock that I often consider culling them all, sanitizing everything and starting over, but then I see them running toward me for their treats and know neither my husband or I have the heart! You’ve all given me hope that this isn’t a flock issue so we’ll just continue monitoring them all and giving regular health checks. A couple of you have mentioned herbs to boost immunity. What kind of herbs do you use? We’re also going to switch to fermented feed this week as I heard that also improves immunity...

 

[Hen Pen Jem]

Hello Sharwig,

Right now, I am providing Rooibos tea to my chickens. But, I also use Echinacea tea when a chicken is sick and needs the extra boost for the immune system.

Rooibos tea is high in mineral content and has many advantages. It is known for calming muscle spasms and indigestion as well as possessing anti-allergenic and anti-inflammatory properties. It is rich in antioxidants too. This tea is from South Africa. Very safe for birds, however, it is such a potent herb, that you don't want to use it if you are administering any kind of medication to your chickens. Remember, herbs are the original medicines.

I am using it right now, because I have one hen with some pain in her leg, due to an old injury. Another hen is dealing with ascites build up, which is also uncomfortable. The whole flock drinks the tea. It is beneficial for all of them, they also have their fresh water to drink, if they so chose. They love it.

The tea you decide to use, depends on the health or environmental issue you are trying to remedy, or improve. You should start with a weak tea to allow the chickens to get used to it, and to monitor the effects. Always do your research before using herbs.

I hope this was helpful.

God Bless