bump on hens face

[GuineaFowling]

My 3 year old leghorn hen developed a squishy bump on her face. It got bigger. It doesn't seem to bother her. It is squishy not hard. Should I drain it? What could it be?

 

[Eggcessive]

It looks like a peck wound that has abscessed. It also could be sinus swelling of a respiratory diseases such as MG, but by the tell tale black dot in the middle, it was probably a peck. It may be full of pus which can harden into a waxy core over time. I would apply some iodine, lance it and try to squeeze out all of the pus. Then put some bacitracin or neosporin ointment on it. Watch for any watery eyes or runny nose just in case.

 

[GuineaFowling]

I forgot to mention, she has no discharge from her eyes, nostrils, or vent. No bumps in her eye. Crop and throat seem fine as well. Also, how would one lance it?

 

[Eggcessive]

Use a very sharp exacto knife, or a disposible scalpel blade, and make a small slit just through the skin. Then squeeze out the puss. Most feed stores such as TSC sell disposible scalpels in the goat and cattle section. They work well with bumblefoot surgery, so good to have around. Make sure you have help, wrap her in a towel and shield her eyes.