Growth Identification

[Lilscrap]

Hello- We are rookie chicken owners, and one of our RIRs has a dark spot on the top part on the back of her leg and what looks like a blister or corn a little bit lower. I've searched the forums and I can't find anything that looks like this. Has anyone seen this before? Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[rebrascora]

The blister you are referring to may be a spur bud if it is on the inside of the leg. Pullets as well as cockerels can get spur buds and some will even develop into spurs as they become mature hens although it is not the norm. The dark patch could be bruising although usually bruising will be green on chickens, so it could just be a pigment defect. Is she walking OK? How old is she?

Oh and welcome to BYC since I see this is your first post. It is helpful to include your location on your profile page so that we can see at a glance where in the world you are. Whilst it is probably not relevant to this question it can be to many situations and giving appropriate advice is therefore more likely

 

[Lilscrap]

Thank you so much for the welcome! I'll update my profile so it shows where we are.

She is almost three years old, but we've only had her for about four months. She is walking fine and laying fine. She didn't like being caught for her close up picture but other than that she's her usual sweet self.

 

[rebrascora]

Has it just developed or have you just noticed it? Can you confirm that it is on the inside of the leg. I can't be sure from the photo but it looks to be the inside of the left leg, which would tie in with a spur bud.

 

[Lilscrap]

We noticed the black spot a couple of weeks ago and I researched it and it seemed like it was a bruise so we decided to just watch it. We didn't notice the other growth at that time, but it could have been there. It is on the back/inside of the left leg.

 

[rebrascora]

It's the right place for a spur bud.
I would expect a bruise to have faded or be a more noticeable green colour by now, so probably not a bruise. I would just monitor it in the absence of any obvious lameness or discomfort. I will be interested to read if anyone else has other suggestions though.