This came out of a chicken? (pics included)

[terryg]

Erin, one reason to separate the sick hen is to keep a close eye on manure output (none you know you have a problem!) and laying. I'd suspect the hen that doesn't eat. That's always a sign. Without a lab test it's about impossible to know what bacterial infection you have. Any broad spectrum antibiotic would do at this point. As far as which came first the infection or the stuck egg, it's probably a bit of both. All chickens some some levels of bacteria in their systems. When something goes awry, infection occurs. It's likely that for some reason the laying "conveyor belt" slowed or stopped. (possibly due to disease, or stress or mechanical failure) Infection and impaction occurred.

Since your hen passed that mass, I'd say there's cause for optimism.

 

[SeattleLeah]

I found something similar in the coop this morning. It was more of a fleshy tube about 3 inches long, I broke it open and it was fibarous and "meaty" looking. There was also a shell-less egg next to it. I suspect it was from by leghorn who has been laying shell-less eggs for the last few weeks with an occasional normal one. She doesnt seem sick at all. She only started laying a few months ago and is about 8 months old. Im just going to wait and see. . . .