Hen with scaly scab on breastbone

[CluckerCarrolls]

My Barred Rock hen has gone through her second molt in six months and has lost weight. I wasn't too concerned but when I held her, I felt a hard bump at the base of her breastbone. When I flipped her over to see it, it felt scaly and very hard. I felt around it and it was leaking a clear fluid but it did not smell. I’m really worried that something is seriously wrong with her. If anyone could help, me and my hen(Hazel), would really appreciate it!

 

[dawg53]

There are two possibilities.
It's possible that she is rubbing the roost at night when she's perching, causing a blister. Perhaps wrapping an old towel around the roost will prevent rubbing.

Another possibility is that the breast blisters (sternal bursitis) are associated with Mycoplasma Synoviae (MS), a respiratory disease. Observe her hocks and wing joints and see if they are swollen, if so, it's MS.

 

[SurferchickinSB]

My Barred Rock hen has gone through her second molt in six months and has lost weight. I wasn't too concerned but when I held her, I felt a hard bump at the base of her breastbone. When I flipped her over to see it, it felt scaly and very hard. I felt around it and it was leaking a clear fluid but it did not smell. I’m really worried that something is seriously wrong with her. If anyone could help, me and my hen(Hazel), would really appreciate it!

It’s probably caused by her being underweight if she has gone through a recent molt. A towel taped on the roost bar is a good suggestion. Have you checked her for worms? Also if she is lowest in the pecking order maybe she is not getting enough food and you could take her off to the side and make sure she is getting her fair share.

 

[CluckerCarrolls]

There are two possibilities.
It's possible that she is rubbing the roost at night when she's perching, causing a blister. Perhaps wrapping an old towel around the roost will prevent rubbing.

Another possibility is that the breast blisters (sternal bursitis) are associated with Mycoplasma Synoviae (MS), a respiratory disease. Observe her hocks and wing joints and see if they are swollen, if so, it's MS.

Thank you so much for responding! I think it is the first option. I will wrap a towel on her pearch.

 

[CluckerCarrolls]

It’s probably caused by her being underweight if she has gone through a recent molt. A towel taped on the roost bar is a good suggestion. Have you checked her for worms? Also if she is lowest in the pecking order maybe she is not getting enough food and you could take her off to the side and make sure she is getting her fair share.

Thank you so much! I will tape a towel on the roost bar. She has had diarrhea, so maybe she may have intestinal worms. Ill worm my flock. She is on the top of the pecking order, so I think its the worm/roost issue. Thanks so much for the help!

 

[Emak2323]

Thank you so much! I will tape a towel on the roost bar. She has had diarrhea, so maybe she may have intestinal worms. Ill worm my flock. She is on the top of the pecking order, so I think its the worm/roost issue. Thanks so much for the help!

I have a chicken with a similar issue. I recently wormed them. Is her scab healing ok?

 

[SurferchickinSB]

Thank you so much! I will tape a towel on the roost bar. She has had diarrhea, so maybe she may have intestinal worms. Ill worm my flock. She is on the top of the pecking order, so I think its the worm/roost issue. Thanks so much for the help!

Yes, I think you are right to check for worms if she is at the top of the pecking order.

 

[CluckerCarrolls]

Just an update, no more scab. It healed on its own. I guess I was just overreacting. Thanks for all the help.