Strange fatty "lump" found in nest box

[Imelda]

Can anyone advise me? One of my five hens has passed what looks like a lump of dimpled fat? It's about 5cm in size, there is no sign of blood. When I cut it open the knife passed easily through it. There wasn't anything obvious inside it. One of my hens has been off her food slightly and has been sitting "resting" more than usual. I'm not sure which one passed it but am assuming it's the one who has been off colour. She is on a diet of layers pellets with corn and meal worms as a daily treat. Spoke to vet, via the vet nurse who said it isn't uncommon for hen's to pass unusual objects? Is this true? I haven't had experience of this before. I will monitor her to see if she picks up after this episode.

 

[krista74]

Older hens who are coming to the end of their egg-laying life will often pass what is referred to as a "lash egg."

You might want to Google that and see if it resembles what you found in your nesting box.


Krista

 

[dawg53]

Your vet is correct, it happens on occasions. Nothing to worry about unless it's frequent. Here's a link with pics of weird eggs:
http://www.browneggblueegg.com/Article/WeirdEggs/WeirdEggs.html

 

[Imelda]

Brilliant! Thank you very much. It does look similar and she is and ex-battery hen, as the article suggests are prone to lash eggs. I have been giving them natural yogurt which she has been gobbling up, which is their recommended treatment. So hopefully she should be ok. will monitor to see if she does it again. Thanks