Chicken was weird swelling on her underside, need advice

[quackenboss]

My 1 year old Cream Legbar has a large area about 2 inches below her vent and 2 inch diameter that is swollen, pushed out and the skin is kind of yellowish - reminds me of what a fever blister looks like only much larger. It’s very soft to the touch. I’m thinking it’s a badly infected feather follicle and that I should identify the feather and pull it so it will drain She isn’t laying right now but the outdoor temperature has been near 100 for a couple of weeks, so it’s understandable. What do you think? Sorry the photo isn’t very clear.

 

[Eggcessive]

Does it feel squishy like a hernia? Are you seeing feathers near the lesion? Is she roosting at night or lying on the floor of the coop?

 

[quackenboss]

Eggcessive, I don’t know what a hernia feels like, but it is squishy. I get the sense that the only thing in it may be pus. There are a few feathers in the center, it’s kind of shaped like a donut around them. She is roosting at night. I haven’t seen this before and don’t want to hurt her in the process of trying to treat her.

 

[Eggcessive]

It is possible that it is a feather cyst, which might have solid keratin inside. You can watch it or explore for a feather underneath it with a sterilized needle after cleaning the skin with betadine or chlorhexidene. Here is some reading anout it:
https://www.beautyofbirds.com/feathercysts.html

 

[quackenboss]

Ugh, I bet that’s what it is. She doesn’t seem to feel bad and is eating and running around normally. I haven’t been able to catch her today but plan on taking your suggestion when she goes to roost tonight. Thank you!

 

[Eggcessive]

Let us know what you find.

 

[quackenboss]

OK, there was a bit of feather right in the middle of the mass, so I pulled it out and also tried probing it with a needle. I got no blood or pus. It’s much larger than I realized and I’m wondering if it could be a hernia. Tomorrow I will start giving her penicillin shots... I don’t know what else to do.

 

[Eggcessive]

Hmmmm, I don’t know, but the feather being there sounds more like a feather cyst. Does it look like fat around the feather or solid pus or sebum?

 

[quackenboss]

Hard to say... it could be fat. I don’t feel anything solid. But there is a dip or indentation in the mass where the feather was.