Abscess? On 4 day old chicken back

Date sort Score sort
fledgling3

fledgling3

Hatching
6 Years
Mar 8, 2013
4
0
7
Hello. Sick chick hatched 4 days ago. Today a water like area appeared on its back near the tail. Down has fallen out or been pulled out. Chick is in a brooder box made of a plastic bin, heat lamp, paper towels used as floor covering. Food = chick starter. Water with vitamins and electrolytes. One of 25 that hatched from 41 eggs shipped mail order. Only one with fluid filled bump. Please advise on possible cure. Thank you.
700

700

700
 
Has the chick been able to poop normally? Drinking and eating on its own? The spot or abcess does it feel hot? Hard soft to touch? Is it in pain if you touch it?
 
The heat lamp is suspended well above the chicks. It cannot touch it. The temp in the warm area hovers around 97-99 F. There is also a cool area that is usually 78-80 F. Thanks for replying.
 
Last edited:
The chick has been eating and drinking normally. The area is soft, it feels a little like a water balloon. The chick hates to be picked up so I am not sure if it is in pain or not :-(

I have not observed any pooping on its part yet, but that doesn't mean it has not. The chicks are I my classroom. I teach elementary science lab. Thanks for replying.
 
Does it feel like it could be full of air? Sometimes chickens can get injured or bumped, and there can be a leaking air sac under the skin. If the air bubble is not causing a problem you can watch it, but if it is causing pressure you can insert an 18 gauge needle just under skin (very carefully), and either withdraw the air by squeezing it out or by pulling it out with a syringe. Here is some info: http://www.thepoultrysite.com/publications/6/diseases-of-poultry/223/subcutaneous-emphysema
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/171121/deflating-subcutaneous-emphysema
 
It looks almost like a blister(causes are many,some are friction,minor burns,etc)normally you would not lance a blister,but if you feel it is causing her pain/irritation then you might have to,

If you decide to lance,sterilize needle till red hot or rise in alcohol,make a small hole(wash hands) and see if blister drains or gently squeeze. Apply an antibiotic ointment,nothing ending in "cane/caine"toxic to chickens,watch for infection.
 
Thank you. Everyone has been so kind. Little one is eating and drinking well. The area appears to be shrinking. I believe it is full of air instead of liquid. As my little chick is eating and drinking and moving okay I have just tried to provide a quiet environment. Thanks again.
 
It is good to hear that your chicken is doing better and recovering. It's possible that a bump to the back caused the leaking air sac, otherwise known as subcutaneous emphysema or wind puff. It is a common injury in people too, causing a collapsed lung.
 

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