what is wrong

[twadwis]

I have a hen that hasn't laid an egg for months. I have corrected her diet, she has a light and a box she seems happy with. I do think she sometime produces but they aren't 'eggs' but odd shaped (sometimes round sometimes log like) yellow/cream/brown shaped solid putty lumps.
One thing I think may be a problem is she only has a very short top beak (botched from hatchery) which makes eating difficult and time consuming thus she is very thin. She is active and looks good otherwise. I just got a young hen (Brahma) to keep her company but she is not pleased nor sharing.
Suggestions ??

 

[araeihrig]

I don't know if the beak has anything to do with it. I got some red stars from someone I work with. They all have short upper beaks. They lay eggs and have minimal problem eating things like apples. They forage nicely too.
Is she molting?

 

[krista74]

The putty-like eggs you are referring to are called Lash Eggs. I would start by reading up on that. Lash Eggs occur for a variety reasons, one of which is illness. The major factor, however, is age.

How old is your girl?

Quite often, aged hens will produce lash eggs, which is a signal of the end of their egg-laying life. "Egg-laying life" is a term which in itself is variable - some hens will lay reasonably well for several years, but the high production breeds such as the Production Reds and Isa Browns (who can lay up to 300 eggs per year) will often only lay for 1 1/2 to 2 years before they are done with egg laying for good.

It's something to consider. I'd recommend you do a bit of research on the Lash Eggs and see if it applies to your hen. There are probably some good pictures available on this site if you do a search for Lash Eggs here too.

Best wishes, and Merry Christmas.

- Krista

 

[RonP]

Thanks for the info!

Never heard of Lash Eggs before this.

 

[krista74]

My pleasure

- Krista