[Kate58]

One of our chickens, Stella, is looking very unhappy at the moment.  She is hunched up but still staying near the others who are not bothering her.  When I picked her up a large lump dropped out of her onto the floor.  It looked very odd - nothing like an egg at all - no shell or anything.  It was a creamy colour and very solid and reminded me of the look of herring roe but obviously more egg shaped.  There was a slight bit of blood on my top where it had caught as it fell to the floor.  She started to look a bit more cheerful after this had happened and seemed to be getting back to standing up properly but she is now starting to hunch up again. 

Is there anyone who may have some idea what it could be?  If it is going to keep happening I think it may be best to put her out of her misery.  Stella is 3 years old.

[Sassy]

It sounds like a lash which usually indicates that the hen has come to the end of her egg laying days. It isn't usually life threatening and she was probably a bit unhappy in her efforts to lay/pass it.

[Kate58]

Thanks for this.  We have just Googled 'lash egg' and this looks something like the lump.  I have never heard of this term before - you live and learn!  Stella looks fine today so hopefully she can stay with us a bit longer.

[themagicaltoad1]

One of my old girls lived happily for at least 18 mths after passing a lash, obviously no eggs from her, then she just passed away peacefully from old age she was 6.

[barley]

thanks sassy I learn something every day on this site