Buff Orpington has a lump on her head.

[BlackPearlRanch]

I have a BO hen that has a large lump behind her ear/on the back of her head. It has feathers on it and is slightly warm to the touch. Just seeing if anyone has any input. She's about 7 months old or so. She has been eating but not coming out of the coop much. But is still moving around and comes up to me. Not sure if it's an infection or a tumor. Not sure if she's laying as I have ten hens and not sure who lays what. Thank you.

 

[azygous]

Is this a behavior change for her not coming out of the coop? Does she scratch at this lump? Scratching or head shaking would indicate it's painful? Are you see any of that?

The lump could be an insect bite or a harmless cyst, or a neoplastic tumor. I have a hen with this sort of tumor. She's had it for seven years, and it's only just now causing her problems.

I would suggest keeping an eye on it as well as her behavior.

 

[BlackPearlRanch]

Is this a behavior change for her not coming out of the coop? Does she scratch at this lump? Scratching or head shaking would indicate it's painful? Are you see any of that?

The lump could be an insect bite or a harmless cyst, or a neoplastic tumor. I have a hen with this sort of tumor. She's had it for seven years, and it's only just now causing her problems.

I would suggest keeping an eye on it as well as her behavior.

She came out for a bit today. She usually would come out, I've only noticed her staying in the coop the last couple days. She's not scratching it or shaking her head. It's a tiny bit warm to the touch but not terrible. She's eating and moving around. I'm definitely going to keep an eye on her. Thank you for replying!

 

[Eggcessive]

Is the swollen area puffy like it could be air under the skin? Or does it feel like swollen tissue or fluid. She might have had a peck to the back of her head that caused a leaking air sac, or swelling, or bloody fluid under the skin. I am just guessing. Do you have a rooster who might have grabbed the back of her head? And who she may be avoiding?

 

[BlackPearlRanch]

Is the swollen area puffy like it could be air under the skin? Or does it feel like swollen tissue or fluid. She might have had a peck to the back of her head that caused a leaking air sac, or swelling, or bloody fluid under the skin. I am just guessing. Do you have a rooster who might have grabbed the back of her head? And who she may be avoiding?

That's a very good possibility. I know the rooster still mates her if she comes out of the coop (saw it the other day) and the bump itself seems like fluid. It's not hard, but not super squishy either. I don't think it's air, feels like some kind of fluid under. She tends to stay up on top of the boxes in the coop and comes down to eat once the rooster leaves. Any way I could help her? She's still sassy and pecks my shoes.

 

[Eggcessive]

Do you have room in the coop for a wire dog crate with secured food and water, where she could be placed for a few days? The rooster could be pinned up for a week or so instead. If it is fluid, it should be absorbed on it’s own.

 

[rellek0705]

I have a BO hen that has a large lump behind her ear/on the back of her head. It has feathers on it and is slightly warm to the touch. Just seeing if anyone has any input. She's about 7 months old or so. She has been eating but not coming out of the coop much. But is still moving around and comes up to me. Not sure if it's an infection or a tumor. Not sure if she's laying as I have ten hens and not sure who lays what. Thank you.

This post might be too old for a reply but how did this turn out? Have a B.O. with the same condition and looks identical to your pictures.