In the course of raising chickens for the first time, many backyard chicken farmers come across a variety of egg abnormalities. Eggs that are rubbery, yolkless, and have blood spots are not a major concern are some of these.
In your many years of chicken keeping, you may not have seen a lash egg. Despite the other "glitches" in egg production, a lash egg is a cause for concern.
The lash egg is something every backyard chicken keeper should know if they've never heard of or seen one. Don't stop reading.
The Lash egg (technical term: caseous exudate) is a thickened tissue mass encased in a shell that's made when the hen's oviduct is inflamed due to a viral or bacterial infection (salpingitis). The infection causes the hen to expel pus & other bodily materials.
As with chickens, humans can also get salpingitis, which manifests as an inflammation of the fallopian tubes (oviduct).
As a response to the inflamed oviduct, the chicken's immune system attempts to encase the infection with a cheesy, waxy ball. It is possible for this egg-shaped monstrosity to contain pus and to contain parts of an egg white, yolk, blood, egg membrane, and oviduct wall tissue.
A pungent smell permeates the surface, as well as layers of bumps & ridges in the material.
In spite of their elongated shape, lash eggs are egg-shaped, and this is due to the mass passing through the hen's reproductive system before being laid.
A chicken is already at risk of infection since it naturally carries bacteria within its body. If the oviduct is lacerated, bacteria may be able to enter leading to salpingitis.
It is imperative that chicken owners control salpingitis early in their flock's life by utilizing healthy parental flocks and vaccinating properly against respiratory viral pathogens, which can be prevalent in their area.
Chickens can pass or regurgitate lashed egg masses of varying sizes by reverse peristalsis, from small ones in the oviduct to large eggs.
In some cases, however, there can be such a large mass that it compresses the intestines & other organs, although it does not rupture the oviduct. As a result, the bird has difficulty inhaling and cannot get enough fresh air into its air sacs.
As a hen with salpingitis is unlikely to live longer than 6 months, the likelihood of them recovering is small. A hen's chances of surviving are slimmer if the infection has festered for longer than 24hrs after discovering it, as it is most deadly within 24hrs.
The infection may cause infertility in your hen, even if she survives.
Cutting the cheese-like egg reveals oniony layers. It is possible for them to look caseous (crumbly, soft, dry, like cheese) if the eggs have been bound together or lodged in an inflamed oviduct.
Among the most common pathogens that cause bacterial salpingitis are Escherichia coli, Salmonella, Mycoplasma & Pasturella.
There are several clinical signs of salpingitis, including:
It might be impractical, however, with a huge flock of chickens; you will need a veterinarian to assess each bird.
For in-depth coverage of some of the most common health-related issues visit the Injuries, Diseases, & Cures section.
Here's a list of Necropsy Labs, Necropsy Manual, & Necropsy Videos.
And for your own reference, here are some Common egg quality problems.
In your many years of chicken keeping, you may not have seen a lash egg. Despite the other "glitches" in egg production, a lash egg is a cause for concern.
The lash egg is something every backyard chicken keeper should know if they've never heard of or seen one. Don't stop reading.
Exactly what's a Lash Egg?
The first time seeing this peculiarity in your nesting box, you'll probably be shocked because it looks pretty gross. It is critical to know that these aren't eggs at all.The Lash egg (technical term: caseous exudate) is a thickened tissue mass encased in a shell that's made when the hen's oviduct is inflamed due to a viral or bacterial infection (salpingitis). The infection causes the hen to expel pus & other bodily materials.
As with chickens, humans can also get salpingitis, which manifests as an inflammation of the fallopian tubes (oviduct).
What Does a Lash Egg Look Like?
The lash egg appears as an egg, but it is a buildup of pus that is gruesome, squishy, rubbery, and covered only by a solid film.As a response to the inflamed oviduct, the chicken's immune system attempts to encase the infection with a cheesy, waxy ball. It is possible for this egg-shaped monstrosity to contain pus and to contain parts of an egg white, yolk, blood, egg membrane, and oviduct wall tissue.
A pungent smell permeates the surface, as well as layers of bumps & ridges in the material.
In spite of their elongated shape, lash eggs are egg-shaped, and this is due to the mass passing through the hen's reproductive system before being laid.
Causes of Salpingitis Infection in Chickens
The exact cause of salpingitis in chickens is not known. But the known risks include:Overcrowding
In some circumstances, industrial poultry farms keep their flocks so close together that their flocks are more likely to catch this infection. Overcrowded chickens can easily spread viruses, and protozoa in water can spread the infection to hens.A chicken is already at risk of infection since it naturally carries bacteria within its body. If the oviduct is lacerated, bacteria may be able to enter leading to salpingitis.
It is imperative that chicken owners control salpingitis early in their flock's life by utilizing healthy parental flocks and vaccinating properly against respiratory viral pathogens, which can be prevalent in their area.
Bacteria & Viruses
In salpingitis, bacteria or viruses gain entry into the birth canal and move up the reproductive tract. Blood can carry infections from the abdominal sac straight to the oviduct, where they can spread from tube to tube.Chickens can pass or regurgitate lashed egg masses of varying sizes by reverse peristalsis, from small ones in the oviduct to large eggs.
In some cases, however, there can be such a large mass that it compresses the intestines & other organs, although it does not rupture the oviduct. As a result, the bird has difficulty inhaling and cannot get enough fresh air into its air sacs.
Can Salpingitis Kill Chickens?
It's bad news for chickens to lay lashed eggs, and the issue may already be raging within your hen when you find it.As a hen with salpingitis is unlikely to live longer than 6 months, the likelihood of them recovering is small. A hen's chances of surviving are slimmer if the infection has festered for longer than 24hrs after discovering it, as it is most deadly within 24hrs.
The infection may cause infertility in your hen, even if she survives.
Lash Egg (Salpingitis) Types
1. Bacterial Salpingitis
The membranes, yolks, eggshells, and oviduct tissue of larger lash eggs are often associated with salpingitis that is brought on by bacteria.Cutting the cheese-like egg reveals oniony layers. It is possible for them to look caseous (crumbly, soft, dry, like cheese) if the eggs have been bound together or lodged in an inflamed oviduct.
Among the most common pathogens that cause bacterial salpingitis are Escherichia coli, Salmonella, Mycoplasma & Pasturella.
2. Viral Salpingitis
Edema, hemorrhages, and pale & creamy juices are common features of abnormal viral salpingitis lesions. There are several viruses that can cause salpingitis, including influenza, adenoviruses, and Newcastle disease viruses.
Salpingitis Predisposing Factors
Several factors contribute to lash egg development in chickens, including:- Obesity
- Over 2yrs of age
- Egg laying in excess
- Malnutrition
- Overnutrition
- A cycle of egg production that is prolonged
- An excessive amount of abdominal fat
- E.coli entering during vent pecking.
- Excessive egg production due to hormone activity (estrogen)
Lash Egg & Salpingitis Symptoms & Signs
The symptoms of infected hens are usually non-specific, making them difficult to distinguish from other disorders & conditions.There are several clinical signs of salpingitis, including:
- Eggs with abnormal, malformed, or irregular shapes
- Loss of weight
- Thirst that is excessive
- Fatigue
- Feathers that are ruffled
- A bloody lash egg with a weak shell
- Breathing with difficulty
- A wrinkled shell
- Egg white with a pale color and a thin texture
- Decreased activity
- Walking style similar to that of a penguin due to inflammation in the abdominal area
- A decline in egg production
- A urate leak caused by a damaged vent
How to Prevent Salpingitis
1. Good Nutrition
Provide your flock with enough feed and only what it needs to prevent obesity. In addition, make sure you follow your vet's instructions regarding proper nutrition.2. Vaccinate
Make sure your birds are immunized against respiratory viruses such as Bronchitis in order to prevent them from becoming infected.3. Purchase Clean & Healthy Parent Chicks
Chicks should be purchased from sources that are NPIP-certified, and they should be tested for bacteria (e.g. Salmonella) which is easily transmitted to chicks within the shell.4. Good Backyard Biosecurity
Maintain a safe & clean backyard (chicken coop, nest boxes, bedding, etc.) for chickens and prevent overcrowding. As a result, infections & viruses will be controlled.5. Chicken Necropsy
For the sake of protecting the rest of the flock, you should conduct a necropsy when chickens die of unknown causes.
How to Treat Salpingitis
1. With Antibiotics
If you detect bacterial salpingitis early, you can treat it with antibiotics while the pus is still liquid. As many people catch salpingitis very late, antibiotic treatment is mostly ineffective. There is currently no treatment available for viral salpingitis.2. Through Surgery
The pus, fallopian tube, ovary, and egg components can be surgically removed, but that can lead to infection and recurrence.3. With Hormone Treatment
It is also possible for veterinarians to implant hormones to stop yolk release & ovulation in chickens. It is usually necessary to place these implants surgically.4. Cull
The gravity of the disease in your chickens may dictate whether or not you should depopulate your entire flock. Make sure your backyard is clean, and then restart fresh with healthy chicks.It might be impractical, however, with a huge flock of chickens; you will need a veterinarian to assess each bird.
5. Anti-inflammatory Medications
Drugs such as Meloxicam can also be given orally to ease swelling of the abdomen.Summary
Despite their best efforts, chicken keepers are not able to prevent their chickens against laying lash eggs, because hens can develop salpingitis at any time, regardless of their health. Practicing proper flock management and keeping an eye out for sick or "off" birds is your most viable option. Prevention is better than cure.For in-depth coverage of some of the most common health-related issues visit the Injuries, Diseases, & Cures section.
Here's a list of Necropsy Labs, Necropsy Manual, & Necropsy Videos.
And for your own reference, here are some Common egg quality problems.
