HELP Hen with Swollen/Clogged oil Gland

[Little Chicken Girl]

Hello all BYC Members! I have a 3 & 1/3 year old EE (Abby) with a swollen oil gland. She is currently molting which is how I noticed the issue. The gland is painful to the touch and appears to be secreting little/no oil. (I tried gently massaging the gland and no noticeable amount of oil was detected). I have never dealt with the issue previously so any advice/information on treatment and care and would be greatly appreciated. She appears to be in discomfort so I want to help her as soon as possible.
Thank you for reading! I greatly appreciate your time.

 

[Crazy for Chickens!]

I'm sorry! But, sadly I don't know what's wrong.

 

[coach723]

You can try soaking with wet, warm compresses, and massaging to see if you can clear the gland if it's blocked. If that does not work then you may need to see a vet to determine if it's a blocked gland or if it's something else, like a tumor. If it is a blocked gland it could be caused by a vitamin A deficiency. Here's some more info:
https://www.justanswer.com/pet-bird/1wmdh-causes-bird-s-uropygial-gland-become-clogged.html
http://www.exoticpetvet.net/avian/uropygial.html
https://www.beautyofbirds.com/birdoilgland.html

 

[Little Chicken Girl]

You can try soaking with wet, warm compresses, and massaging to see if you can clear the gland if it's blocked. If that does not work then you may need to see a vet to determine if it's a blocked gland or if it's something else, like a tumor. If it is a blocked gland it could be caused by a vitamin A deficiency. Here's some more info:
https://www.justanswer.com/pet-bird/1wmdh-causes-bird-s-uropygial-gland-become-clogged.html
http://www.exoticpetvet.net/avian/uropygial.html
https://www.beautyofbirds.com/birdoilgland.html

Thanks for your help.

 

[micstrachan]

I’ve not heard of this one before. Please tell us if the wet warm compresses help your unconfortable chicken.

 

[Little Chicken Girl]

I gave her a warm compress with gentle massaging. The Uropygial gland seems to be secreting oil now but it is still swollen/inflamed. I gave her a vitamin A supplement (Which is what some of the links above from coach723 advised). I'll see how it goes and post updates. Hope it works.

 

[chickens really]

Hmmm....With all those new pin and tail feathers coming
In, it actually looks normal...A bit swollen probably just by her preening..Just keep an eye on her...infection is red and nasty....

 

[Throwaway410]

Hello all BYC Members! I have a 3 & 1/3 year old EE (Abby) with a swollen oil gland. She is currently molting which is how I noticed the issue. The gland is painful to the touch and appears to be secreting little/no oil. (I tried gently massaging the gland and no noticeable amount of oil was detected). I have never dealt with the issue previously so any advice/information on treatment and care and would be greatly appreciated. She appears to be in discomfort so I want to help her as soon as possible.
Thank you for reading! I greatly appreciate your time.

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I know this was years ago, but anyone who comes across this like I did, there's several reasons why the oil gland is swollen or infected. Stress, tumor, blockage, change in diet (or she needs a change in her diet), or she had/has an injury around or near the oil gland. This is one of the best sources I could find so far that briefly explains about the problem, solutions, and how to avoid it. They also give their own sources at the very bottom from where they've gotten their info from.
http://www.poultrydvm.com/condition/uropygial-gland-infections
(Anyone with waterfowl who have the same problem or wet feather, here's another site for them: http://www.majesticwaterfowl.org/mmissue71.htm )