Lash Eggs & Fairy Eggs: Everything You Need to Know
So you found a weird egg? Or is it even an egg?
Lash Eggs: What Are They and Should You Worry?
Ever find a weird, bumpy thing in your chicken coop and think, “What *is* that?” If it doesn’t look like a normal egg, it might be something called a lash egg — or maybe even a fairy egg. These are two very different things, and it’s important to know the difference.
What Is a Lash Egg?
Hold that food before you continue on! A lash egg isn’t really an egg at all. It’s a lump of old tissue, pus, and gunk that comes from inside a chicken when she has an infection in her egg-making parts. It might look like cooked chicken or scrambled eggs rolled into a soft, rubbery ball. Sometimes it smells bad and feels squishy or bumpy.
This happens when a hen gets sick with something called salpingitis (sal-pin-JYE-tis), which means her oviduct — the part that makes eggs — is infected. Her body pushes out the infection in the form of this yucky clump, and that’s what we call a lash egg.
What’s a Fairy Egg?
Now let’s talk about fairy eggs - these didn't come form Tinker Bell. But they're completely different from lash eggs. Fairy eggs are teeny, tiny eggs — about the size of a marble or a grape. They might not have a yolk inside, and they’re sometimes called “wind eggs" or "fart eggs."
A fairy egg can be considered an anembryonic egg, which means an egg that doesn’t contain a developing embryo. In most cases, anembryonic eggs are either unfertilized or were fertilized but stopped developing very early — often before the embryo could even begin forming.
Fairy eggs are very small and usually don’t have a yolk, which means there’s no place for an embryo to grow, even if the egg was fertilized. Because they’re missing this key part, fairy eggs can’t hatch and aren’t used for reproduction.
So while fairy eggs may or may not be fertilized, they are still called anembryonic because they can’t support embryo growth and won’t develop into a chick.
Fairy eggs usually happen when a hen is just starting to lay eggs or when something in her body gets a little confused. They’re not dangerous, and many hens go back to laying normal eggs afterward. You can even crack them open — they’re safe (just small and funny-looking)!
Lash Egg vs. Fairy Egg – What’s the Difference?
| Fairy Egg | Lash Egg |
|---|---|
| Very small and round | Lumpy, strange shape |
| Safe and harmless | Caused by infection |
| May have no yolk | Made of tissue and pus |
| Can be eaten | Must be thrown away |
Can Lash Eggs Be Prevented?
Sometimes lash eggs just happen, but you can help stop them by keeping your chickens healthy. Here’s how:
- Keep the coop clean and dry
- Give your chickens clean water and fresh food every day
- Use nesting herbs to fight off germs
- Check your hens often for signs of illness
Even with great care, some hens may still get an infection. It doesn’t mean you’re doing anything wrong — it’s just part of chicken keeping.
What Should You Do If You Find a Lash Egg?
Don’t try to crack it open. It’s not a real egg and it’s not safe to eat. Throw it in the trash (not the compost). Wash your hands well afterward. Then keep an eye on your hen. If she acts sick — looks weak, stops laying, or sits around a lot — you may want to call a vet. Some hens can get better with medicine, but others may need special care.
Final Thoughts
Fairy eggs are tiny and kind of cute — lash eggs are strange and a little gross. But both are part of keeping chickens, and now you know what to look for! With a clean coop, fresh food and water, and some extra love, your flock will stay healthy and happy.
Need help keeping your chickens feeling their best? Check out Family Backyard Store’s nesting herbs and coop care supplies — made to keep your flock clean, safe, and strong.