Can chickens have cancer?

[Avalon1984]

I lost a younger and runty chicken the other day and when I examed it, I found what looks to be a small cancerous growth on its side. It looked almost blue-ish, like a wart. Has anybody every witnessed chickens having cancer or has pictures? I should have taken a picture but I got busy and just buried the bird (smart of me, I know

). I searched throught he topics and couldn't find a picture. Just wondering. Thank you all!

 

[stoopid]

Yes, cancer is a biggie. Unfortunately, we can't cure it in humans, so it doesn't seem too important in a little chicken.
I had a little bantam girl, died of liver cancer.

 

[Avalon1984]

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I had a funny feeling that it was something like that. Too bad. I like the little guy. Are there specific signs that would point you towards suspecting cancer maybe? My little one became lethargic basically overnight, I took him out, fed electrolyte water, hard boiled eggs and he perked back up. He was bright eyed but died 2 days after out of nowhere. That is when I saw the funny spot and thought instantly it must be cancer. Once I examined it I also noticed that it was fairly skinny and that all of its feather were hiding that very well.

 

[stoopid]

No, it's hard to detect till it's too late. All birds will hide an illness, even from us, to avoid being preyed upon (eaten).
It's unfortunately a fact of life. When I found my little Polly was sick, her liver was shutting down, and fluids were backing up in her abdomen. She looked like a bowling ball with 2 little feet!
I took her to my vet, and we drained her abdomen once a week for about 2 months. I weighed her every day to check her progress.
She did ok for a while, but finally gave in. We had the vet do an autopsy, and all inside her was cancer.

 

[Avalon1984]

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So sad to hear that. I checked each and every other chicken in that house after his passing and all others seem fine. I guess just another day at the farm where life and death is a daily occurance.

 

[stoopid]

Hey, I just noticed...are you the one that got rear-ended a while ago? It seems life hasn't been so good to you lately...

 

[drumstick diva]

I read somewhere that only Sharks don't get cancer

 

[Avalon1984]

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Yup. Thats me

Rear-ended, 2 horses coliced, my breeding plans for the year are shot, chicky dying...oh well. Next year will be better for sure

 

[Avalon1984]

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Must...feed...sharks...to...the...chickens....

 

[stoopid]

Well, I hope things look better for you, I wish you strength.