[Tregelly]

Hi - Our French Maran has recently been depositing small, rubbery, dark red egg-shaped deposits. Opened up they look like salami. This has happened about once a week. Unfortunately I haven't been able to establish whether she is also laying 'normal' eggs as well.

She is otherwise healthy, although her poo is more watery than the other three chickens. She laid one of these salami eggs yesterday and No 1 hen was also in the coop making cawing noises, so I don't know if it may be stress-related. The French Maran is bottom of the pecking order.

Anyone got any ideas?  Thanks

[Sassy]

They usually lay something like this when at the end of their laying career. You don't say how old she is. I think it is called a lash but I stand to be corrected!

[ANHBUC]

Sassy is right, it does look like a lash which is part of the lining of the reproductive system.  How old is your hen as this is usually is dis guarded when a hen is at the end of her laying?

[Tregelly]

Thanks so much for the information, I'd seen a reference on another thread to a 'lash' and wondered what that was.

We took the chickens on from someone who moved house so I'm not sure but I thought she was only about two years old. Doesn't seem a long laying period for a Maran. Oh well, time to get some new younger chicks.

[ANHBUC]

Just keep an eye on her and for anything out of the ordinary just to be on the safe side.