Abnormal beard/muff on russian orloff

[peyton233]

I was advised by someone on another forum to ask for a second opinion here- I have a hen who is about six months old and in the last few months she has developed a very large bump (almost like a large pouch) just beneath her chin. The people in that forum informed me that it was most likely a large beard and muff, but upon further discussion it seems that it is abnormal.

Whenever she walks or moves it jiggles around (the video shows this very well) and it's very large looking in real life. She doesn't seem to be uncomfortable or having any issues because of it, but I figured a second opinion would be helpful. If anyone has any idea what it might be or if it's cause for concern please let me know!

 

[Aunt Angus]

Looks like an abcess, maybe? A tumor? Doesn't look at all like a beard. You are right. That video does show it.

 

[EEforMe]

Is it an actual lump or just feathers?

 

[HomesteaderWife]

What does it feel like when you run your hands over it - fluffy like feathers, or like a squishy fluid or hard mass?

 

[CrazyCochin]

I was advised by someone on another forum to ask for a second opinion here- I have a hen who is about six months old and in the last few months she has developed a very large bump (almost like a large pouch) just beneath her chin. The people in that forum informed me that it was most likely a large beard and muff, but upon further discussion it seems that it is abnormal.

Whenever she walks or moves it jiggles around (the video shows this very well) and it's very large looking in real life. She doesn't seem to be uncomfortable or having any issues because of it, but I figured a second opinion would be helpful. If anyone has any idea what it might be or if it's cause for concern please let me know!

That doesn’t look all that normal to me, definitely looks like an abscess or tumor.
I’m not sure this helps, but this is my EEs muff/beard, very fluffy. Might help in comparing them, because I definitely see a difference.

 

[TheOddOneOut]

Just to be clear to everyone - this bird is of a breed that naturally has a beard.
Unless it's a hard lump of infected flesh or a clear tumor I'd just say she has a fat face and move on.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Just to be clear to everyone - this bird is of a breed that naturally has a beard.
Unless it's a hard lump of infected flesh or a clear tumor I'd just say she has a fat face and move on.

Unless it is bothering her in any way? Is it interfering with her ability to eat, drink, forage, or groom herself; or do the other chickens peck at it? If not, then ... it's basically a harmless curiosity, right?

 

[TheOddOneOut]

Unless it is bothering her in any way? Is it interfering with her ability to eat, drink, forage, or groom herself; or do the other chickens peck at it? If not, then ... it's basically a harmless curiosity, right?

Yeah. We'll have to see. Maybe the OP can post another vid but lift the beard fluff up so we can see?

 

[peyton233]

What does it feel like when you run your hands over it - fluffy like feathers, or like a squishy fluid or hard mass?

Sorry for the late reply, they actually live at my parents house and it took me a day to get back over here, but I just felt it and it’s not solid or lumpy. It’s essentially a large (but not fluid or mass filled) lump of skin? Like a pouch of skin covered in feathers. I couldn’t feel anything suspicious in it and she didn’t seem bothered by me rubbing it at all.

 

[peyton233]

Unless it is bothering her in any way? Is it interfering with her ability to eat, drink, forage, or groom herself; or do the other chickens peck at it? If not, then ... it's basically a harmless curiosity, right?

I think this is essentially exactly what it is thankfully!! I finally got the chance to grab her and test out all of y’alls suggestions, and its not just feathers on her face it is definitely like a large flap of skin (like a pouch) along her chin and throat, but it didn’t feel fluid filled or lumpy or anything. Just a swingy little pouch. And she wasn’t bothered or hurt by me touching it so I think she’s probably fine and she essentially just has a double chin lol. Thank you for your answers though!!