Strange thing in nest box. Should I worry? Icky picture.

[RoyalChick]

Does anyone know what this is? It was in the nest box today.
I have 3 laying hens just over a year old and 2 pullets. Everyone seems fine but I haven’t checked vents yet as Maggie is in the box laying.
It is much smaller than an egg and has a rubbery consistency. I sliced it open and it looks like a disorganized organ. It doesn’t smell and the inside isn’t runny.
Apart from watch for sickness is there anything I should do? What could it be?

 

[DobieLover]

It is a bit of lash egg material which isn't an egg at all but the result of an oviduct infection. If all the girls are behaving normally I wouldn't worry too much about it.

 

[Shadrach]

It looks like a lash egg to me to. Wait and see what the next egg she lays is like.

 

[Chickenhappy8708]

that's really gross. And really cool. I hope it's nothing serious!

 

[RoyalChick]

Thank you @DobieLover and @Shadrach - sounds like I don't need to go into a big panic based on this right now but watch and see what happens and if she lays tomorrow. One issue is I have no idea who it is as they all use the same box (even though they have choices).

 

[MarkJr]

If you add 10 layers, they all would try to use same box! It’s a chicken thing.

If it happens again, there’s a method of food coloring and the vent. Leaves colored smears on eggs shell.

 

[RoyalChick]

Ugh. I think what I took was from yesterday and now there is another one today. Still everyone seems fine. @DobieLover, @Shadrach any advice knowing it is the second one?

 

[Shadrach]

Ugh. I think what I took was from yesterday and now there is another one today. Still everyone seems fine. @DobieLover, @Shadrach any advice knowing it is the second one?

If it was me, I would take her to see a vet.
One lash egg happens from time to time. More than one and there is a problem. It may just be an infection and you could probably get treatment advice here on BYC with regard to which antibiotics are best suited for such problems but I would rather get a vet to check her and prescribe.

 

[RoyalChick]

If it was me, I would take her to see a vet.
One lash egg happens from time to time. More than one and there is a problem. It may just be an infection and you could probably get treatment advice here on BYC with regard to which antibiotics are best suited for such problems but I would rather get a vet to check her and prescribe.

I just called my cat vet but he doesn't do chickens - I have left a message for his colleague who does but isn't in until Tuesday.
Looking for other options.
I still can't figure out who is sick.

 

[BGcoop]

Lash egg is caused by an infection. It can be deadly. Antibiotics can help but not in all cases. I had a poor hen that didn‘t ever lay a lash egg but slowly deteriorated and when we culled her and I did a necropsy her abdomen was filled with a softball sized one.