A single large "tumor"(?) on tip of comb.

[kajudu]

I noticed that my non laying, buff orpington has developed a dark red, bulbous growth on the back tip of her comb. Otherwise she seems healthy, eats well, poops well, and runs around the yard as usual. It looks kind of like a large hemangioma, and I wouldn't worry, but I'm new to chickens and can't seem to find any reference to hemangiomas in chickens.

Thanks in advance for your help

 

[LynneP]

Do you have a photo? perhaps someone here will be able to assist you in pinpointing the exact situation.

 

[kajudu]

Well we learn something new every day. I got a picture posted!! I also noticed that the previously dark red growth is now black and seems to have started growing on the comb tips in front of it.

Your help is appreciated.


i

 

[MissJenny]

Not that I'm the foremost authority on anything, but if it were me I would take this hen to a vet right away -- if this were on a human I would suspect skin cancer.

Jenny

 

[Danceswithchicks]

Is it really cold where you are?

 

[silkiechicken]

Never heard of skin cancer in chickens, and never even heard of chickens for use in skin cancer models (mosty mice and rats).

That said, that just looks like she got it caught in a fence or on wire somewhere and is scabbing over. Injuries to combs often swell up quite a bit due to the extensive vascularization of comb tissue, and the scabs that form are often very thick and hard. That said, if it is swollen, it might have a bit of infection, but nothing too bad since the rest of the comb looks fine. Being chickens, and likly with other chickens, they love to pick at things, and open wounds and scabs are some of their favorite targets if the hen is not the top hen.

First thing before panic, see if anything washes off. Then see if it gets better or worse over the next week, and keep an eye out for if she is being picked on by others.

 

[M To The Maxx]

Looks kind of like Fowl Pox.

 

[purpletree23]

I agree with silkiechicken. Try to wash it off and post another picture for us.

 

[kajudu]

We're in Texas. So it's not cold. Has only gotten to 40 F so far. She is the top hen. Nobody's picking on her. Went to take the picture and the black has fallen off. I wiped it with a wet cloth. It didn't change in appearance.

 

[twentynine]

I wouldn't bother with a vet. I'd clip that off with a sharp pair of shears.

One question, how tall is the cage-run-coop she is in? Is their something she can constantly bump/irritate her comb on?