an alarming 'spot' near tail

[illchicks]

Hi
We have four chickens and while feeding them I saw that when one of the chickens stooped its head to eat, he had a bald spot near the tail end of his body. She has had this for a while so I was not too concerned, however I then noticed a tall rather pusy (and disgusting!) spot. It was large and red. Around the spot the skin was raw and red and no feathers were growing near it. It is rather alarming.
I tried to google what it could be and I also consulted one of our chicken books- but I could not discover what it might be.
Anyone able to help?
Thanks.

 

[Judy]

Whatever it is, I'd separate her for a few days and clean it up a bit. Just use whatever first aid you use for yourselves, maybe mild soap and water then daily Neosporin ointment, but don't use any topical cream or ointment that has a "caine" drug in it such as benzocaine, cetacaine, etc.

This could very well be a pecking and/or feather pulling injury, but whatever it is, the others will peck at any open, red wound, so she needs isolation til she is healed enough that they will leave her alone.

I keep a can of Blu-Kote around for developing sore spots, which seems to discourage them from pecking a bare spot more. It's an antiseptic plus turns the skin a dark purple-ish blue -- and stains everything. Actually I have a generic version, in a spray can. It's primarily gentian violet.