Crested Polish with lump/injury on neck. Please Help ASAP!

[karrint]

I have a 5 week old crested polish. She's Merrick's vaccinated and seems healthy as can be. Today I noticed this weird spot on the back of her neck. At first I thought it was some sort of growth or start of an abscess, but it doesn't appear to be either. The skin seems thick and/or swollen, pink, and the feathers are gone. It's possible she was pecked at by one of my bigger girls, but I haven't seen them go after her at all. There's no blood or fluid of any kind draining from it. Her best friend and buddy, a 5 week old mottled houdan, has noticed the spot and every now and then will give it a little peck. So, first of all, what is it and how should I treat it? Secondly, should I separate her? She's still young, and I worry about her being by herself. Any help anyone can offer ASAP would be very appreciated. This is my 8 year old son's favorite bird and he's named it Rosabelle. He lost his last pick to a predator, and the one before that turned out to be a roo. I can't bear for him to part with a third...

 

[Miss Lydia]

from this angle it looks like someone is pecking. have you just noticed it? get some blue-kote and spray the heck out of it, it is a great healer and also disguises the wound.. you might want to check everyoine for mites since this is the time of year they can get a head start on us. she could be doing it to herself also if itchey.

 

[karrint]

Thank you. I'm relieved to hear that's what it looks like as opposed to something more serious. I checked for mites and there aren't any. Gonna load it up with blue-kote and see what happens...