Chicken Anatomy Question.

[Lightbrahmalover]

Okay so, I have a chicken question, what is this on a chicken? Whenever my chickens preen they lift up the back part of their feathers and expose this. I got a video of my chicken preening and I saw that she bit it and pulled back, which is making me think that’s where the chickens produce the oil to make them so waterproof and shiny. I’m not sure about this so I came to ask.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Okay so, I have a chicken question, what is this on a chicken? Whenever my chickens preen they lift up the back part of their feathers and expose this. I got a video of my chicken preening and I saw that she bit it and pulled back, which is making me think that’s where the chickens produce the oil to make them so waterproof and shiny. I’m not sure about this so I came to ask. View attachment 2536521

It's an oil gland, I'm pretty sure. It helps the feathers stay cleaner and waterproof

 

[Lightbrahmalover]

It's an oil gland, I'm pretty sure. It helps the feathers stay cleaner and waterproof

That’s what I was thinking, but I just wanted to make sure!

 

[Gallinarium]

It's an oil gland, I'm pretty sure. It helps the feathers stay cleaner and waterproof

x2, it's called the uropygial gland.
It's basically the avian soap dispenser.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

x2, it's called the uropygial gland.
It's basically the avian soap dispenser.

That's the word! Judges asked every year for showmanship and I always missed that one

 

[3KillerBs]

it's called the uropygial gland

Also known as the preen gland.

 

[aart]

It's basically the avian soap dispenser.

Oil, not soap
For water 'proofing' not cleaning.

 

[Gallinarium]

Oil, not soap
For water 'proofing' not cleaning.

Yes, but I don't know of any animal that actually produces soap.
But, general idea. It's the preening gland.