Chicken laying lash "egg" is someting wrong with my flock?

[Katieswan]

Hey there everyone,

I have read and read about the possibilities of what is going on with my bird or birds and I still cannot figure it out. So I am reaching out to this community to see if I can get some ideas from the experts. The main issue is that I have one hen who has been seeming sick on and off. She suddenly sits with her head tucked in and her tail down. This happened for the first time 3 months ago. She is the top of the pecking order but did not roost with the others and tucked herself away under the nesting boxes to sleep. The next day she seemed fine and was back roosting with the others. Recently, I have noticed her, again, tucking her tail down and head in. It is not a constant thing though. She will act completely normal when she is free ranging but when in the run or coop she will show this same posture of head in and tail tucked. A few days ago, I noticed something very gross in the nesting box with other eggs, it turned out to be a lash egg. I did not know who laid it until yesterday. I found my "sickley" girl, who had been acting ill that day, trying to lay an egg, it was a meaty fleshing thing instead. So I know it was her who laid the lash egg.

So, I am trying to figure out what is causing her to be sick and how do I know if it will spread to my other birds? I have read about salpingitis, infectious bronchitis and thought about those both being potential cause. However, the rest of my birds do not seem to have any symptoms.

Here is the main info about my chickens:

I have 6 hens and I get mostly 4 or 5 eggs a day

All of my hens ( including the sickish one) have a bright red comb.

My hens are almost 2 or year years old but I do not know for sure because I got them from someone who said they were 1 or two years old when I got them and she did not raise them as chicks.

I do a deep litter method in the coop with straw

I have not de-wormed by chickens since I had them in this past year.

all other chickens seem healthy with no sneezing or coughing.

We did have a bought a few weeks ago of some eggs with thin shells and soft points. I increased calcium and haven't had those issues since.

We have had a fox lurking very close to my girls ( I had to chase it away once) so they could be stressed.

Info about the sick chicken:

Seems to be foraging and eating fine

Tucks head and tail in a lot lately when in coop or run

has laid two lash eggs

has been checked for sour and impacted crop and seems fine

poop seems to be frothy or runny and vent is messy

So, what do you think and what would you do? I really appreciate any help.

 

[Grain Gypsy]

Hey there everyone,

I have read and read about the possibilities of what is going on with my bird or birds and I still cannot figure it out. So I am reaching out to this community to see if I can get some ideas from the experts. The main issue is that I have one hen who has been seeming sick on and off. She suddenly sits with her head tucked in and her tail down. This happened for the first time 3 months ago. She is the top of the pecking order but did not roost with the others and tucked herself away under the nesting boxes to sleep. The next day she seemed fine and was back roosting with the others. Recently, I have noticed her, again, tucking her tail down and head in. It is not a constant thing though. She will act completely normal when she is free ranging but when in the run or coop she will show this same posture of head in and tail tucked. A few days ago, I noticed something very gross in the nesting box with other eggs, it turned out to be a lash egg. I did not know who laid it until yesterday. I found my "sickley" girl, who had been acting ill that day, trying to lay an egg, it was a meaty fleshing thing instead. So I know it was her who laid the lash egg.

So, I am trying to figure out what is causing her to be sick and how do I know if it will spread to my other birds? I have read about salpingitis, infectious bronchitis and thought about those both being potential cause. However, the rest of my birds do not seem to have any symptoms.

Here is the main info about my chickens:

I have 6 hens and I get mostly 4 or 5 eggs a day

All of my hens ( including the sickish one) have a bright red comb.

My hens are almost 2 or year years old but I do not know for sure because I got them from someone who said they were 1 or two years old when I got them and she did not raise them as chicks.

I do a deep litter method in the coop with straw

I have not de-wormed by chickens since I had them in this past year.

all other chickens seem healthy with no sneezing or coughing.

We did have a bought a few weeks ago of some eggs with thin shells and soft points. I increased calcium and haven't had those issues since.

We have had a fox lurking very close to my girls ( I had to chase it away once) so they could be stressed.

Info about the sick chicken:

Seems to be foraging and eating fine

Tucks head and tail in a lot lately when in coop or run

has laid two lash eggs

has been checked for sour and impacted crop and seems fine

poop seems to be frothy or runny and vent is messy

So, what do you think and what would you do? I really appreciate any help.

After reading this article from the Chicken Chick blog http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2014/12/salpingitis-lash-eggs-in-backyard.html, it seems that Salpingitis is probably ailing your hen, and it may be possible to give her some antibiotics. The article indicates that it is possible that just the one may be affected, not your entire flock. I am new to chicken-keeping myself, so I am learning, too. I hope your hen gets to feeling better. Let me know how it turns out with her.

Also,

!

 

[chickengeorgeto]

Hey there everyone,

I have read and read about the possibilities of what is going on with my bird or birds and I still cannot figure it out. So I am reaching out to this community to see if I can get some ideas from the experts. The main issue is that I have one hen who has been seeming sick on and off. She suddenly sits with her head tucked in and her tail down. This happened for the first time 3 months ago. She is the top of the pecking order but did not roost with the others and tucked herself away under the nesting boxes to sleep. The next day she seemed fine and was back roosting with the others. Recently, I have noticed her, again, tucking her tail down and head in. It is not a constant thing though. She will act completely normal when she is free ranging but when in the run or coop she will show this same posture of head in and tail tucked. A few days ago, I noticed something very gross in the nesting box with other eggs, it turned out to be a lash egg. I did not know who laid it until yesterday. I found my "sickley" girl, who had been acting ill that day, trying to lay an egg, it was a meaty fleshing thing instead. So I know it was her who laid the lash egg.

So, I am trying to figure out what is causing her to be sick and how do I know if it will spread to my other birds? I have read about salpingitis, infectious bronchitis and thought about those both being potential cause. However, the rest of my birds do not seem to have any symptoms.

Here is the main info about my chickens:

I have 6 hens and I get mostly 4 or 5 eggs a day

All of my hens ( including the sickish one) have a bright red comb.

My hens are almost 2 or year years old but I do not know for sure because I got them from someone who said they were 1 or two years old when I got them and she did not raise them as chicks.

I do a deep litter method in the coop with straw

I have not de-wormed by chickens since I had them in this past year.

all other chickens seem healthy with no sneezing or coughing.

We did have a bought a few weeks ago of some eggs with thin shells and soft points. I increased calcium and haven't had those issues since.

We have had a fox lurking very close to my girls ( I had to chase it away once) so they could be stressed.

Info about the sick chicken:

Seems to be foraging and eating fine

Tucks head and tail in a lot lately when in coop or run

has laid two lash eggs

has been checked for sour and impacted crop and seems fine

poop seems to be frothy or runny and vent is messy

So, what do you think and what would you do? I really appreciate any help.

I think that she has a yeast infection called vent gleet. Anyone else want to venture a guess?

 

[LYNNS CHICKENS]

Vent Gleet is a fungal or yeast infection. Best 2 do is Epson salt bath once a day 4 4 days. & clean the poo all off. Then blow dry her on low heat (she will love that, trust me). When she's completely dry put athletes foot fungal cream on her.i would separate her so u can control her diet. Give her live yogurt, mixed with wheat germ & layer crumbles. I'm sorry I'm to tired to continue 2nite. Go to Tillie's Nest site & type in Vent Gleet & follow her instructions that's how I cured a couple of mine who had that problem. Good luck. I will check back 2maro night.

 

[Katieswan]

Yes, I have read that article on Salpingitis am hoping that it is not the case. I will try a few other things to rule them out first. I did come across some info on vent gleet and thought that was a possibilty too. When I check her vent, it does not seem super reactive. The other birds will close it up when I move the feathers but she does not seem to tighten it as fast. However, it does not seem to have crust other than runny poo in the feathers. I will try the bath though. Is it possible that she was egg bound and it caused this?

 

[ADozenGirlz]

I think that she has a yeast infection called vent gleet. Anyone else want to venture a guess?

Those are NOT symptoms of a vent gleet. Guessing isn't particularly helpful to the OP.

 

[ADozenGirlz]

Hey there everyone,

I have read and read about the possibilities of what is going on with my bird or birds and I still cannot figure it out. So I am reaching out to this community to see if I can get some ideas from the experts. The main issue is that I have one hen who has been seeming sick on and off. She suddenly sits with her head tucked in and her tail down. This happened for the first time 3 months ago. She is the top of the pecking order but did not roost with the others and tucked herself away under the nesting boxes to sleep. The next day she seemed fine and was back roosting with the others. Recently, I have noticed her, again, tucking her tail down and head in. It is not a constant thing though. She will act completely normal when she is free ranging but when in the run or coop she will show this same posture of head in and tail tucked. A few days ago, I noticed something very gross in the nesting box with other eggs, it turned out to be a lash egg. I did not know who laid it until yesterday. I found my "sickley" girl, who had been acting ill that day, trying to lay an egg, it was a meaty fleshing thing instead. So I know it was her who laid the lash egg.

So, I am trying to figure out what is causing her to be sick and how do I know if it will spread to my other birds? I have read about salpingitis, infectious bronchitis and thought about those both being potential cause. However, the rest of my birds do not seem to have any symptoms.

Here is the main info about my chickens:

I have 6 hens and I get mostly 4 or 5 eggs a day

All of my hens ( including the sickish one) have a bright red comb.

My hens are almost 2 or year years old but I do not know for sure because I got them from someone who said they were 1 or two years old when I got them and she did not raise them as chicks.

I do a deep litter method in the coop with straw

I have not de-wormed by chickens since I had them in this past year.

all other chickens seem healthy with no sneezing or coughing.

We did have a bought a few weeks ago of some eggs with thin shells and soft points. I increased calcium and haven't had those issues since.

We have had a fox lurking very close to my girls ( I had to chase it away once) so they could be stressed.

Info about the sick chicken:

Seems to be foraging and eating fine

Tucks head and tail in a lot lately when in coop or run

has laid two lash eggs

has been checked for sour and impacted crop and seems fine

poop seems to be frothy or runny and vent is messy

So, what do you think and what would you do? I really appreciate any help.

It's pretty clear to me that she has salpingitis, which is why she is producing "lash eggs." The cause and duration of the salpingitis will determine whether it can be treated and if so, by what means. If you read the article cited by Grain Gypsy, above, you will understand your hen's condition better, but you will not be able to diagnose the cause of the salpingitis yourself. An exam and lab tests are necessary to ascertain whether the inflammation is the result of a viral or bacterial infection. Her prognosis isn't good if you don't have a vet who can see her (and it probably isn't good even if you do have a vet who can treat her given what you've already described).
Her behavior makes it clear that she is in pain. Chickens are very adept at hiding their pain- given their low ranking in the food chain, they have to be. If you can't get her some professional help, please listen to what she is showing you and consider doing her the kindness of helping her cross over in a dignified way so she doesn't suffer any longer.

 

[ADozenGirlz]

Vent Gleet is a fungal or yeast infection. Best 2 do is Epson salt bath once a day 4 4 days. & clean the poo all off. Then blow dry her on low heat (she will love that, trust me). When she's completely dry put athletes foot fungal cream on her.i would separate her so u can control her diet. Give her live yogurt, mixed with wheat germ & layer crumbles. I'm sorry I'm to tired to continue 2nite. Go to Tillie's Nest site & type in Vent Gleet & follow her instructions that's how I cured a couple of mine who had that problem. Good luck. I will check back 2maro night.

She doesn't have vent gleet. Fungal infections do not cause those symptoms.

 

[Katieswan]

Thanks for the advice. Yesterday, my hen was acting completely normal again and her poo was normal as well. However, I am not sure if she is laying right now. Soo, do you think I should just wait it out and she if she continues to act fine? Is it common for a hen with salpingitis to go up and down? Professional help is not really an option fore me right now. What is the risk of my other hens getting sick. This is my biggest worry. I am raising four more chicks in the brooder right now and I would hate to have them get introduced to a virus when I bring them to the coop.

 

[Katieswan]

I think that she has a yeast infection called vent gleet.  Anyone else want to venture a guess? 

It's pretty clear to me that she has salpingitis, which is why she is producing "lash eggs." The cause and duration of the salpingitis will determine whether it can be treated and if so, by what means. If you read the article cited by Grain Gypsy, above, you will understand your hen's condition better, but you will not be able to diagnose the cause of the salpingitis yourself. An exam and lab tests are necessary to ascertain whether the inflammation is the result of a viral or bacterial infection. Her prognosis isn't good if you don't have a vet who can see her (and it probably isn't good even if you do have a vet who can treat her given what you've already described). 

Her behavior makes it clear that she is in pain. Chickens are very adept at hiding their pain- given their low ranking in the food chain, they have to be. If you can't get her some professional help, please listen to what she is showing you and consider doing her the kindness of helping her cross over in a dignified way so she doesn't suffer any longer. 

Thanks for the advice. Yesterday, my hen was acting completely normal again and her poo was normal as well. However, I am not sure if she is laying right now. Soo, do you think I should just wait it out and she if she continues to act fine? Is it common for a hen with salpingitis to go up and down? Professional help is not really an option fore me right now. What is the risk of my other hens getting sick. This is my biggest worry. I am raising four more chicks in the brooder right now and I would hate to have them get introduced to a virus when I bring them to the coop.