DeathLayer head tumor?

[MichelleKing]

**UPDATE***

You all gave me a LOT to think about. I went out there and crouched and quietly observed my flock of 5. She did NOT go into the coop with the rest at dusk. She stayed in between my legs until the dominant left, then she pecked at food lightly.

I think yall are right on two accounts. These arent tumors they are wounds. I've seen her getting picked on but in retrospect I think shes getting her A$$ kicked on the daily. Secondly, no shes not eating and drinking like I thought. See below.

I did remove her. I have a younger flock I will try to integrate her with, who live in a separate location. I made this decision after I observed the following:

• Brought her inside, put her in my large quail habitat with food and water
• When i closed the lid and she realized she had food to herself she shoved her face at it like she hadnt eaten for a year
• Her face immediately reddened and she perked up
• She chugged water
• Then she settled down for the night seemingly content. I'm not going to put her back with her bullies. Criticize me if you must, I am no pro here, just doing my best. My other flock are two polish hens, a silkie, and two serama. She might do better.

SIDE NOT ON THE BOSS --> those are definitely not free fed. They are brought in with me and put it in the metal thing a treat, mostly the polish eat it, then I take the bag out. Actually, my little sh*t polish hens found the bag I had brought in the run, scratched it open, and dumped seeds EVERYWHERE. So thats not representative of what usually happens with the BOSS.

I am devastated. She is lethargic, is actually allowing me to hold and pamper her.

Other than not being crazy....
She’s Eating her treats and food and drinking is normal. No discharge or sneezing or mucus observed from
Any orifices. No mites. Dewormed in October. Lives in coop at night, covered heated run during day.

This popped up recently over a few weeks. TOP of head and on one side of head. Other eye normal. Wattles still red. But- It doesn’t look right. Someone please PLEASE advise and/or give me some hope she will be ok.

The bumps are hard to the touch.

She was born May 2018.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Since it's concentrated around the face I'm wondering if it's from sticking her beak in somewhere like that metal feeder you have out. I also would not free feed black oil sunflower seeds as they are extremely fatty and will cause problems if you feed too much.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I also would stop the extra heat as it can cause aggression. It hasn't been cold enough yet anyways.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I am devastated. She is lethargic, is actually allowing me to hold and pamper her.

Eating her treats and food and drinking is normal. No discharge or sneezing or mucus

This popped up recently over a few weeks. TOP of head and on one side of head.

In your other thread you mentioned she was the lowest in pecking order.
If she is eating/drinking normally, what is she doing that you see that would indicate lethargy?
Has she started laying eggs yet? If she has, when was the last time she laid an egg?

I do see a bump on the side of her face near the eye. It looks more like a pecking injury than a tumor to me.
On the comb, I'm not seeing a tumor or bump - if you can point that out, it would be good. Are you referring to the darker area that looks like dirt or possibly a scab from picking? Deathlayers have cushion comb so it is more rounded looking.

Your mention of lethargy - that's what has me puzzled. She is holding her tail down a bit.
I agree with @oldhenlikesdogs that's a lot of BOSS on the ground and in the little feeder there. What type of poultry feed do you provide?

 

[chickens really]

I also would stop the extra heat as it can cause aggression. It hasn't been cold enough yet anyways.

Hello Lisa. I know you believe heating Coops cause aggressive behaviour although it's not true. Many people including myself here in Alberta run heat without behavioural problems. My aggressive behaviour in my Flock was more complex. My Older Chickens would not allow me to have other Pullets that matured into my Flock. Was not a space or heat related issue. Chicken have very complex lives and can turn on each other in minutes.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Hello Lisa. I know you believe heating Coops cause aggressive behaviour although it's not true. Many people including myself here in Alberta run heat without behavioural problems. My aggressive behaviour in my Flock was more complex. My Older Chickens would not allow me to have other Pullets that matured into my Flock. Was not a space or heat related issue. Chicken have very complex lives and can turn on each other in minutes.

You are in a colder climate so I can't really comment on what's good for Canadian chickens. I do know Iowa is a bit warmer than it is here. Some birds, like people, me, get irritated by excess heat, especially if they can't move away from it. I only mentioned it as something to try to see if things improve. Sometimes colder chickens don't have the energy to engage like they do when they are kept warm.

Everyone has a different opinion on heating, that's okay, I always say there's no one right way with chickens. ,,,,,