Help! My Rooster Has an Ingrown Feather????

[NYREDS]

That's not an ingrown feather, it's an inflamed uropygial [oil] gland. Actually the gland itself is the larger lump you feel ant the thing you thought was an ingrown feather is sort of a nipple by which the gland releases oil when the bird preens.
Sometimes these glands "plug up" and become inflamed. Usually they resolve on their own but to help it along clean the area well with warm soapy water and apply warm compresses a few times a day.

PS-I've been raising chickens for nearly 50 years [my God has it been that long] so I do have some experience.

 

[lurky]

I dont know if the others would peck at him with the sugar paste. I think its good because its colorless. But i bought a cage at the pet shop that would be used for rabbits or G.pigs. I have it for just that situation. When not it use it comes apart to store away. But if you need to separate one....its there. Anyway.....if its just inplammed from the shaft like people think, then hopefully the sugar paste will help. I know its sounds odd.....but mine had an intestinal prolapse and the inflammation went down the same day i did it. But i would keep putting it on and see if it helps

 

[ChicknThief]

Thank you all!! (and please forgive my naiiveness (sp?)) Hey, after all, I am still a newbie!!

NYREDS: Welcome to the board!

 

[Tuffoldhen]

Yep.......That's his oil gland!....alittle cleaning up around it and maybe some neosporin....antibotic cream..

 

[BlueMoon]

I had no idea what it was, just that they all seemed to have them - which turns out to be good! Thank you so much for telling what it is as well as what to do with it.

 

[silkiechicken]

Yeah, thats an oil gland. That's where all those feather shining liquids emerge.

Good thing you asked too since once I believe someone snipped it and then asked!

They were new so of course concerned just like you.

 

[panner123]

Use a compress that is extra warm but not hot. But some form of drawing salue on it and repeat about four times per day and in three days it will be normal again.

 

[silkiechicken]

Here's my question, it it really inflamed or has it been rubbed and played with so much that it turned red for the pics? Check in the morning and it should be normal skin color, else go ahead and do warm compress and so on. I know my birds don't like their oil gland touched so I bet it is easily irritated.

 

[ChicknThief]

No, it was red and inflamed looking when I picked him up. In fact, the reason I noticed it was because the red stood out against his black feathers. I just got back home, so I haven't checked on him yet, but will do so. I'll update when I get back inside.

 

[ChicknThief]

It is still red and inflammed. So we will do warm compresses.