dirty preen gland?

[yakitori]

My paint silky has a dirty pretty gland (literally lots of dirt) with broken feathers around it... is this normal? All her other feathers are shiny and healthy, albeit a little off white on the surface.

She currently has a mild case of lice.

I didn’t even realize that a preen gland existed until today What are the signs of a healthy preen gland?

(the white speck are diatomaceous earth I dusted her with while I wait for sulphur to arrive)

 

[topochico225]

Could it just be her black skin? Or is it actual dirt?

 

[yakitori]

Could it just be her black skin? Or is it actual dirt?

it’s actual dirt, it comes off when I wipe with a soft damp baby wipe, and doesn’t move. the dirt is sticking all over the base of the feathers surrounding her gland.

 

[yakitori]

Oh, and yes, her skin is also black . But the dirt stands out against her feathers and has texture

 

[Coturnix cukoo]

Hi I have a similar question about the appearance of dirt / clumping around the oil gland and at the base of tail feathers etc. It looks like sand and dirt (sort of resembles flea poop) stuck to the area about the oil gland and sometimes around the vent, fluffy bottom and thigh feathers. They dust bathe in a mixture of sand and potting soil. I freaked myself out thinking it was mites and treated all my birds and the coop with elector multiple times…it washes off easily with water, but returns. I have carefully inspected but haven’t seen a mite or lice/ just tiny black dots that look like they could be the aftermath of mites or fleas. I’m stumped. My question is: it’s there a problem or is it just dirt stuck to oily feathers ? Any Advice greatly appreciated. Thank you

 

[yakitori]

let me check my large fowl birds tomorrow and get back to you. it didn't seem like a big deal in the end and I forgot about this on my satin. She did however have a bout of lice, which was quickly taken care of with a dusting of sulfur.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

It's not uncommon for some dirt/debris to be found sticking to the oil gland or surrounding feathers. That area is oily so dirt naturally sticks

As long as you are not seeing crawling bugs, you are fine. It's best to leave the oil gland alone. It's sensitive and is doing it's job.