Lash Egg??

[NorthernMIFlock]

I posted at the end of January that one of my Isa Brown hens was laying eggs with weird dark marks on them. These continued for the next few weeks, and then she seemed to stop laying. In the last couple weeks tho, there have been shell-less eggs or soft shelled eggs under the roost I *think* under her (I have 3 Isa Browns). This morning I found this weird thing under the roost, and my other hens jumped down to check it out and wouldn’t even touch it. The 3rd pic is after I cut it in half , the last pic is of her eggs last month. My questions-if it’s a lash egg, is this a death sentence for her? Is there anything I can do without having to take her to a vet? Is she in pain? I appreciate any advice. She is only 1 1/2 and is otherwise acting fine.

 

[Eggcessive]

Yes, that looks like a lash egg. It is caused by salpingitis, an inflammation of the oviduct. It is the most common cause of death in hens eventually. I have lost hens to it at different ages, most recently one that was 7 years old. Antibiotics may or may not be effective in treating it, once it is advanced. Some may live for a few years, while others may live a few months. Here is some reading about salpingitis:
https://thepoultrysite.com/disease-guide/salpingitis
https://the-chicken-chick.com/salpingitis-lash-eggs-in-backyard/
https://www.merckvetmanual.com/poultry/disorders-of-the-reproductive-system/salpingitis-in-poultry

 

[micstrachan]

Yes, that looks like a lash egg. It is caused by salpingitis, an inflammation of the oviduct. It is the most common cause of death in hens eventually. I have lost hens to it at different ages, most recently one that was 7 years old. Antibiotics may or may not be effective in treating it, once it is advanced. Some may live for a few years, while others may live a few months. Here is some reading about salpingitis:
https://thepoultrysite.com/disease-guide/salpingitis
https://the-chicken-chick.com/salpingitis-lash-eggs-in-backyard/
https://www.merckvetmanual.com/poultry/disorders-of-the-reproductive-system/salpingitis-in-poultry

x2, yes, lash egg from salpingitis. Poor girl!

 

[NorthernMIFlock]

Thank you for the replies. This is really sad as our hens are all only 1.5 years old. I am not sure which one it is yet tho, 3 of them are the same breed and all are acting fine. I just don’t want her to suffer

 

[Wyorp Rock]

These continued for the next few weeks, and then she seemed to stop laying. In the last couple weeks tho, there have been shell-less eggs or soft shelled eggs under the roost I *think* under her

My questions-if it’s a lash egg, is this a death sentence for her? Is there anything I can do without having to take her to a vet? Is she in pain?

What do you feed including treats?

 

[NorthernMIFlock]

They are on Prince organic layer crumble, they get sunflower seeds once in a while, and they all free range our property (when weather allows). They get organic micro greens when I have some, and meal worms on occasion too.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Do you provide oyster shell free choice?

 

[NorthernMIFlock]

Oyster shell is occasionally mixed in with their crumble but I see them take it out and don’t think they eat much if at all.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Oyster shell is occasionally mixed in with their crumble but I see them take it out and don’t think they eat much if at all.

I would give it free choice, not in the feed and let them pick what they want. I just place it in a separate feed cup that is attached to a post in the run.