help marshmallow

[savemarshmallow]

It's anyone anyone to offer advice? we have noticed a large bump on top of her tail & we are a bit worried.... Is it the preening gland & if it is should it be this big?
Also you will notice her tail feathers are falling out leaving behind enlarged spikey follicles. This is occurring over her whole body. She started dropping the feathers in the last 4 days & the hatch is coveredin them!
We are not sure if this is normal or wether she has picked up something nasty. Is anyone able to shed any light?

 

[bobbi-j]

It certainly doesn't look right to me. You might get more help in the Emergencies section.

 

[howfunkyisurchicken]

If that picture is showing the top of her tail, that bump is where the oil gland is located. Someone may have picked it, or something else may be irritating it.
Have you checked really well for mites or lice? It may just be the picture, but it looks like theres some dirt or dander at the bottoms of her feather shafts and the feathers themselves look pretty shredded, which are usually evidence of parasites (some actually eat the feathers, which causes them to look shredded, fall out or just leave the bottom quill behind). If shes got some critters crawling on her, she may be over preening to compensate. Which could explain the irritated oil gland.

Any way, just a few thoughts. I hope she's feeling better soon!

 

[savemarshmallow]

Thank you for your feedback. Marshmallow is getting lots of tlc with some mite/lice treatment thrown in