🐔 What Are Lash Eggs? Understanding These Mysterious Chicken “Eggs”
If you keep hens, you may have come across something that looks like a weird, slimy egg — but it’s definitely not what you expected. These strange, white, mucus-covered lumps are called lash eggs, and while they might look gross or confusing, they tell an important story about your hen’s health.
In this blog, we’ll explain:
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What lash eggs are
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Why hens produce them
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Whether they’re a cause for concern
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How to keep your hens healthy
🥚 What Exactly Is a Lash Egg?
A lash egg (sometimes called a “pus egg” or “blind egg”) is not a real egg but a byproduct of a hen’s reproductive system going a bit haywire.
It’s basically a mass of pus, mucus, and tissue that forms inside the hen’s oviduct when something blocks or irritates the normal egg-laying process. Lash eggs often look like:
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White or yellowish slimy blobs
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Covered in mucus
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Sometimes the size of a golf ball or larger
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Often with an unpleasant smell
🤔 Why Do Hens Lay Lash Eggs?
Lash eggs are typically a sign of infection or inflammation in the hen’s reproductive tract. The most common cause is:
Salpingitis — an infection of the oviduct
Salpingitis can be caused by bacteria such as E. coli, Mycoplasma, or Staphylococcus. It leads to swelling, irritation, and blockage, so instead of laying a normal egg, the hen produces this mucus-filled mass.
Other possible causes include:
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Egg binding or egg peritonitis
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Trauma or injury to the reproductive tract
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Poor coop hygiene or stress
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Older hens with declining reproductive health
⚠️ Should You Be Worried About Lash Eggs?
Yes and no.
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One lash egg is not usually an emergency but indicates an underlying issue that needs attention.
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Multiple lash eggs or a hen showing signs of illness (lethargy, loss of appetite, swollen abdomen, or foul-smelling discharge) means you should consult a poultry vet immediately.
If left untreated, reproductive infections can seriously harm your hen’s health and even be fatal.
🩺 How to Help a Hen With Lash Eggs
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Isolate the affected hen to prevent spreading any infection.
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Keep her warm and comfortable.
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Provide fresh water and nutritious feed.
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Contact a poultry-savvy vet—they may prescribe antibiotics or other treatments.
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Improve your coop’s cleanliness and ventilation to prevent future infections.
🧼 How to Prevent Lash Eggs in Your Flock
Prevention is the best medicine! Keep your hens healthy by:
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Maintaining a clean, dry, and well-ventilated coop
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Avoiding overcrowding and stress
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Providing balanced nutrition and fresh water
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Quarantining new birds before introducing them to the flock
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Monitoring hens regularly for early signs of illness
🐔 Final Thoughts
Lash eggs are unpleasant but valuable warning signs. They remind us to pay attention to our hens’ health and environment.
If you spot a lash egg or a hen acting unwell, don’t hesitate to take action—early treatment can save your hen and keep your flock thriving.
– The Chook Manor Team 🐓💚
