Help please: Is this a disease, injury or something else?

[newchickmomma3-2025]

We got 2 laying hens. I think they were ex-battery hens maybe? Bad condition, dirty. I broke down and gave them a bath with baby shampoo. One had this on its back near the base of a patch of feathers. I know there are yellow lice, but this didn’t move or anything. Could it be any kind of disease? My other thought was possibly an egg yolk got busted on her, but this was almost like little balls. And it was only at the base of feathers not all over her.

 

[Eggcessive]

It does look like egg yolk. Maybe someone laid a soft egg and they ate some or got it on them? Are they molting?

 

[newchickmomma3-2025]

It does look like egg yolk. Maybe someone laid a soft egg and they ate some or got it on them? Are they molting?

Don’t know if they are molting or just in poor condition. Just got them from a sale. One is missing all of her breast feathers. The other looks better feather wise.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Where on the body is that?
Does the material feel oily? I wonder if that's near the preening gland and it's oil.

 

[newchickmomma3-2025]

Where on the body is that?
Does the material feel oily? I wonder if that's near the preening gland and it's oil.

Neck/upper back. I guess it’s probably egg yolk. I know they were crammed into those pens and trailers before I got these. I just didn’t see how the yolk would get down into feathers on the upper back/base of neck area in just one spot not everywhere, and without any of the white being all over the outer feathers. Sorry for wasting everyone’s time.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Neck/upper back. I guess it’s probably egg yolk. I know they were crammed into those pens and trailers before I got these. I just didn’t see how the yolk would get down into feathers on the upper back/base of neck area in just one spot not everywhere, and without any of the white being all over the outer feathers. Sorry for wasting everyone’s time.

Your right, it may have been egg yolk.
Other hens will pick and eat material off another, so they may have cleaned up most of it and missed those pieces embedded in the feathers.

You are not wasting anyone's time, especially not mine. I'm always happy to help.

I think after a couple of months with you caring for them, you'll find these Ex Batts will have filled out and look much better. They have room, good food, some greenspace and most of all you to look after them.