8 Month old EE red, swollen above tail feathers on her back. **UPDATED

[lilredhenmom]

My 8 month old EE has a really red, swollen, hot area of skin without feathers right where her tail feathers start. There is a raised , growth as well. Can they get an "ingrown feather" ? She is pretty lethargic, but is still drinking and eating. I brought her in the house to dry out...she just stands outside away from all the other hens...and gets wet.

Any ideas?

Thanks!

 

[nick77]

What you are seeing is probably the oil gland. This is where the bird gets oil from when it preens it's feathers. As for the irritation, A possibility could be that the oil duct is blocked. Maybe try warm water to loosen the blockage. I'm sure someone on here has a better way of dealing with a plugged oil duct. Hope this helps some.

 

[lilredhenmom]

Kept her in the house last night. She seemed better this morning..eating and drinking. We put her back in with the other girls for about 2 hours....came out and she was laying on her side....not moving. I thought she was dead. Looks like the others were picking at her...some blood on her skin. Poor thing! I brought her back into the house. She now has the runs...mostly urine. Lethargic. Any other suggestions anyone? I hate to lose her.