Growth on beak covering nostrils

[68fj40]

One of our hens has a growth or growth on her beak. It is covering her nostrils. Any idea what it might be? I have been searching but not finding pictures that match.

 

[Eggcessive]

Welcome to BYC. Can she breathe through her nostrils at all? Do you have any mosquitoes out where you live? That does not really look like fowl pox to me. I am not a vet, but I would be worried that this might be a type of cancer. There are a couple of viruses, such as lymphoid leukosis and Mareks, in chickens that cause cancers. I hope I am wrong. This might be from leukosis, but hard to know. If she dies, I would be trying to get a necropsy by your state vet to get a diagnosis.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Hi @68fj40 Welcome To BYC

What does the inside of the beak look like?

I'm not quite sure what's going on there. Maybe cancer?
@Eggcessive any suggestions?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

oops! Jinx on Eggcessive lol
We were posting at the same time

 

[68fj40]

Thanks for responding.
My first thought was cancer but didn't want to tell the wife. These girls are her pets.
The growths feel fleshy not hard and crusty.
She has always been smaller and thinner than the rest. We have six total. She is the only one with this growth.
She has had the nodules on the sides for quite a while. I never really noticed the growth on the beak but I am sure it has been going on for some time.
Last summer she quit laying and started to just hang out by herself. She doesn't scratch or peck with any enthusiasm. She moves at a much slower pace. A lot of just standing in one place. She prefers to be hand fed but does eat from the feeder and drinks normally.
Tried to get pictures of inside her beak. Not sure if they are good enough.

 

[Eggcessive]

@azygous is familiar with leukosis virus, and @casportpony is familiar with Mareks disease, so hopefully, they will take a look. The inside of the beak looks like she may really have some problems breathing or eating. If she seems to be suffering or struggling, I would think about putting her down to get a necropsy done by the state vet. They are usually open M-F, so if you put her down, Monday might be the best day, then keep the body cold. They usually can be taken to the lab or shipped overnight via Fedex or UPS in most states. In what state are you located? Here is a list of state vets:
http://www.metzerfarms.com/PoultryLabs.cfm

 

[Brahma Chicken5000]

Looks like it’s canker or fowl pox.

 

[azygous]

I'd bet on scaly face mites. Treat as you would scaly leg mites. Smother with thick castor oil or Vaseline. Or you can treat with Ivermectin.

 

[Brahma Chicken5000]

I'd bet on scaly face mites. Treat as you would scaly leg mites. Smother with thick castor oil or Vaseline. Or you can treat with Ivermectin.

Couldn’t one accidentally smother the chicken to death?

 

[azygous]

Couldn’t one accidentally smother the chicken to death?

I'm not sure what you mean here. Smother, how?