Help! My chick’s sprouting a mystery pink thing!

[Crazy Chicken Keeper]

One of my RoosterOrp chicks has this tiny pink thing sticking up right where his tail should be. It’s about a millimetre long, not wet, not bleeding, just… there. He’s still energetic, eating, drinking, and acting like a perfectly normal little feathered maniac.
It’s not from his vent — it’s above that. Looks smooth and dry. No swelling, no smell, and no change in behaviour.
Has anyone seen this before? Should I be worried, or just keep an eye on it?

 

[Debbie292d]

Probably his preening gland.

 

[Crazy Chicken Keeper]

Probably his preening gland.

Thanks! I haven’t checked yet, but that could be it. I’ll have a proper look when I next handle him.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Can you post a pic? That always helps

 

[Crazy Chicken Keeper]

Here they are. Pic 1 is just the chick pic 2is the weird pink thing.

 

[Debbie292d]

Here they are. Pic 1 is just the chick pic 2is the weird pink thing.

Oh, a baby chick! I was thinking an older one. Chicks don't have preening glands yet, so maybe that's a feather follicle? I'd keep an eye on it though as for such a little chick, I'm not sure he'd be popping out a feather follicle that large at that age.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Here they are. Pic 1 is just the chick pic 2is the weird pink thing.

A clearer photo may be helpful. Have someone to hold her while you take a picture

Looks like the Right Location for the Preening Gland (uropygial gland). Chicks are hatched with all their parts all though tiny, so I'd say that's what it is unless clearer photos shows something different.

 

[Crazy Chicken Keeper]

Oh, a baby chick! I was thinking an older one. Chicks don't have preening glands yet, so maybe that's a feather follicle? I'd keep an eye on it though as for such a little chick, I'm not sure he'd be popping out a feather follicle that large at that age.

From what I’ve researched, chicks actually do have their preening gland from hatch — it just isn’t active yet. So that little nub could very well be it starting to form. I'd say thats probably what it is. Thanks everybody! I was stumped at this

 

[Debbie292d]

From what I’ve researched, chicks actually do have their preening gland from hatch — it just isn’t active yet. So that little nub could very well be it starting to form. I'd say thats probably what it is. Thanks everybody! I was stumped at this

Surely they have them, but they usually don't protrude beyond their feathers, especially enough to cause concern. I've never seen it on thousands of chicks hatched here over the years, but maybe the breed makes a difference, as these are silkies.