What just came out of my chicken?!? "lash egg?"

[staceyj]

I'm a little late.
The experts are here already.

Lol they are!

 

[Eggcessive]

I cannot add anything more to the advice already given. Sorry about your hen.

 

[DirtyHarrysHenHarem]

Is that one cut in half, then half again? Or two?
That is a lash egg caused by salpingitis.

Thank y'all for the quick replies and the links to more info! Tonight is research night to try and nail this thing down as it has me a little worried!

Yes, The photos are it cut in half and then quartered. I wanted to see what was in it. And yes, I'm in Atlanta (need to update my profile) and yes, they all molted. They're only probably 2.5 years old so not very old at all.
As far as feed, they eat an organic egg layer as well as (healthy) table scraps. Her eating habits haven't changed and eats very well. Yes, I do have oyster shell free choice and have been also crushing up their shells and putting it in table scraps we give them.

I'm thinking it was several soft eggs all together that she released as that's what it looked like and compared to photos of lash eggs I looked up (barf ), it doesn't seem to be quite the same thing and I pray it's not. I plan on watching her (her name is Peaches) more closely and trying to get her some more calcium and see how that does. But again, all other indicators besides not laying much (but it's winter...) and laying soft eggs at times, everything seems normal.

 

[staceyj]

Sounds like a good plan.

Maybe try a human calcium supplement like caltrate 4-5 days in a row and see if she lays an egg with a better shell.

 

[casportpony]

The color of it and the blood on it make me think she has an infection brewing. IMO, starting antibiotics is a good idea.

 

[Kiki]

I agree with infection. This isn't just a glitch in her system type thing.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Thank y'all for the quick replies and the links to more info! Tonight is research night to try and nail this thing down as it has me a little worried!

Yes, The photos are it cut in half and then quartered. I wanted to see what was in it. And yes, I'm in Atlanta (need to update my profile) and yes, they all molted. They're only probably 2.5 years old so not very old at all.
As far as feed, they eat an organic egg layer as well as (healthy) table scraps. Her eating habits haven't changed and eats very well. Yes, I do have oyster shell free choice and have been also crushing up their shells and putting it in table scraps we give them.

I'm thinking it was several soft eggs all together that she released as that's what it looked like and compared to photos of lash eggs I looked up (barf ), it doesn't seem to be quite the same thing and I pray it's not. I plan on watching her (her name is Peaches) more closely and trying to get her some more calcium and see how that does. But again, all other indicators besides not laying much (but it's winter...) and laying soft eggs at times, everything seems normal.

To me it does look like several layers of "shell" as well. I agree with you on that part. She may still have infection of the oviduct, defective shell gland, salpingitis or similar.

If she were mine, I would still offer antibiotics. In the photo you have it cut open - I see no "egg contents" - no yolk, possibly some albumen, but no yolks - sooo...what happened there? Either no yolk was released, the yolk is festering somewhere in the oviduct or it traveled back up the oviduct and dropped into the abdomen.

 

[Eggcessive]

Here is another link about Baytril to purchase:
https://allbirdproducts.com/products/baytril-10

Dosage is the same as earlier post 0.05 ml per pound twice a day orally.

 

[rebrascora]

I would agree that if you are going to administer antibiotics, now is the time because of this is an infection (salpingitis), which I believe it is, the only hope is to treat it at the earliest opportunity with antibiotics.... delaying risks the oviduct becoming impacted and the bird eventually dying from it or very expensive ($1000+) and very risky surgery.
Birds with salpingitis can appear perfectly normal for weeks if not months until the impaction of lash egg material becomes a critical size and starts constricting the gut, so that the bird cannot poop and the crop becomes impacted as the bird's digestive system backs up.
I am not one for the willy nilly use of antibiotics but in this case, like the others, I would recommend you start them asap as well as a direct calcium supplement and poultry vitamins. You will probably be best to isolate her so that you are not having to discard eggs from all your hens. She can still be within sight of them but probably a separate pen through the day so that you can monitor her poop and whatever else she passes and if she does start to lay normal eggs you can dispose of them for at least a fortnight after treatment.
You mention that you feed them organic layer feed so I'm guessing your organic ethics are what is making you reluctant to start antibiotics and if that is the case then monitoring her and culling when her quality of life deteriorates may be your preferred option.... it depends upon whether you see her as a pet with benefits or livestock. What form is the feed in? ie pellet or crumble or mash or whole grain? The latter can be a problem depending upon how it is fed and your management system, so it is worth considering, as it may be the cause of this and other possible issues that have not yet surfaced in your flock. Chickens can look very healthy until suddenly they are not, so it is easy to look at your flock and think they are doing well and there still be some quite serious underlying health problems.

 

[Kiki]

I would agree that if you are going to administer antibiotics, now is the time because of this is an infection (salpingitis), which I believe it is, the only hope is to treat it at the earliest opportunity with antibiotics.... delaying risks the oviduct becoming impacted and the bird eventually dying from it or very expensive ($1000+) and very risky surgery.
Birds with salpingitis can appear perfectly normal for weeks if not months until the impaction of lash egg material becomes a critical size and starts constricting the gut, so that the bird cannot poop and the crop becomes impacted as the bird's digestive system backs up.
I am not one for the willy nilly use of antibiotics but in this case, like the others, I would recommend you start them asap as well as a direct calcium supplement and poultry vitamins. You will probably be best to isolate her so that you are not having to discard eggs from all your hens. She can still be within sight of them but probably a separate pen through the day so that you can monitor her poop and whatever else she passes and if she does start to lay normal eggs you can dispose of them for at least a fortnight after treatment.
You mention that you feed them organic layer feed so I'm guessing your organic ethics are what is making you reluctant to start antibiotics and if that is the case then monitoring her and culling when her quality of life deteriorates may be your preferred option.... it depends upon whether you see her as a pet with benefits or livestock. What form is the feed in? ie pellet or crumble or mash or whole grain? The latter can be a problem depending upon how it is fed and your management system, so it is worth considering, as it may be the cause of this and other possible issues that have not yet surfaced in your flock. Chickens can look very healthy until suddenly they are not, so it is easy to look at your flock and think they are doing well and there still be some quite serious underlying health problems.