What is Lash Egg?: A Concise Guide to this Common Egg Laying Problem

Most people with a casual knowledge of chickens associate them with producing regular eggs, which we consume in various dishes worldwide. However, a less commonly discussed topic among chicken enthusiasts and poultry farmers is the phenomenon of the “lash egg.” While the term might evoke curiosity, understanding lash eggs, their formation, and their implications for chicken health is crucial for those keeping chickens.

What is a Lash Egg?

Lash eggs, scientifically known as salpingitis, are not actual eggs. Instead, they result from an infection in a hen’s oviduct, the tube through which an egg travels from the ovary to the outside world. These abnormal masses are a combination of pus, egg material, tissue, and other debris. They are typically rubbery, irregularly shaped, and thicker than regular eggs.

Causes and Implications

The primary cause of lash eggs is a bacterial infection. These infections are often attributed to pathogens like Escherichia coli (E. coli), Salmonella, Mycoplasma, or other bacteria that cause inflammation in the oviduct.

However, it’s essential to understand that a lash egg, while alarming to find, is not a definitive death sentence for a hen. Some hens might lay a lash egg and recover with proper care, never producing one again. Others might be more susceptible to repeat incidents. Older hens are more prone to this condition.

That said, recurrent infections and lash eggs indicate chronic inflammation and can lead to reduced egg production, infertility, and, in severe cases, the hen’s death. It is also worth noting that hens suffering from this condition can be carriers of the responsible bacteria, potentially transmitting them to other members of the flock. Which means that quarantining your sick hen is important to step to keep your other chickens well.

Lash eggs are generally small and easily passed by hens. However, some lash eggs can be bigger and hard to pass. Please, monitor for signs that your hen is egg bound.

Identifying and Treating Lash Eggs

A lash egg is quite distinct from a regular egg. Its outer appearance can be deceiving, often resembling a typical egg, though sometimes larger or misshapen. However, cutting into a lash egg reveals a thick, rubbery mass with layers of material, quite different from the familiar yolk and white of a regular egg.

If you notice a lash egg, closely monitoring the hen is essential. To check for signs of salpingitis in your chicken flock, there is a method known as “feeling the keel.” You can read more about it in the prior link, but I’ll summarize it below:

First, pick up your chicken and give her time to calm down. Once your bird is calm, start by feeling the base of its neck where you should feel the crop. It should either be soft/pliable or flat.

Next, move your hands along the keel bone until you reach the abdomen. Here, you may be able to feel an egg in the oviduct. However, the abdomen should not feel hard, swollen, or filled with fluid.

You might need to practice this. But it will be worth the time and give you peace of mind!

Although not every hen that lays a lash egg is visibly sick, some signs of illness might include:

• Decreased or complete cessation of egg production
• Lethargy or reduced activity
• Swollen abdomen
• Respiratory distress
• Reduced appetite

If a hen displays these symptoms, it’s critical to consult a veterinarian, ideally one specializing in poultry. They can offer advice on the treatment options, often involving antibiotics to combat the bacterial infection. Vitally, quarantining the affected hen might be necessary to prevent the spread of disease to other birds.

Prevention

There is no guaranteed way to prevent this condition completely. However, the saying “prevention is better than cure” is true for lash eggs.

Some recommended measures to minimize the occurrence of lash eggs include:

1. Maintain Cleanliness: Ensure the coop and nesting areas are clean and dry. This reduces the chance of bacterial proliferation.
2. Regular Health Checks: Regularly inspect your hens for signs of illness or distress.
3. Balanced Diet: Providing a balanced diet ensures that hens have a robust immune system to fight off potential infections.
4. Minimize Stress: Just as with humans, stress can weaken a chicken’s immune system. Reducing factors that stress your hens, like predators or overcrowding, can contribute to better overall health.
5. Vaccinations: While not specific to lash eggs, vaccinating against common poultry diseases can keep your flock’s overall health robust, making them less susceptible to infections. Some hatcheries offer vaccinations for common chicken illnesses.



In Conclusion

While the occurrence of a lash egg can be distressing for both the hen and the chicken keeper, understanding its causes, implications, and prevention measures can make the experience more manageable. Appropriate care, vigilance, and preventive measures can significantly reduce the risks associated with lash eggs.

Comment below if you have had any experiences with this condition or found this article helpful. As always, I hope you and your beautiful flocks are staying safe and well!