Can anyone help ID what might be going on with this hen?
Background info: she is not mine 100%, she lives at a friend's house, but he knows less about chickens than I do. (We share in the care so I can have my chickens at his house.) He doesn't observe the birds the way I do, so we don't know when this first started, but I would guess at least two months ago, about mid-November.
Hen (Columbian Wyandotte) is just finishing molt, and I noticed the swellings just in the start of molting. Whatever it is does not seem to be transmitting to the other chickens, and does not seem to be causing any other symptoms of illness - clear eyes, nostrils, eating normally, etc. I don't have access to a vet with bird expertise and all of my internet and library searching has turned up nothing.
The soft patch of skin between eye and beak looks like there is a bubble under the skin. Not bleeding, oozing, scabby or anything else, just puffy. Both sides of the head are affected. I am half tempted to lance one side open, to see if this is some sort of abscess, but I don't want to cause further discomfort, or possibly spread something to the other hens!
I am not sure what to do. I am not opposed to culling any ill bird for the benefit of the flock, but her symptoms do not seem to warrant culling just yet. I just have no idea what's going on.
Any input would be greatly appreciated!!
Background info: she is not mine 100%, she lives at a friend's house, but he knows less about chickens than I do. (We share in the care so I can have my chickens at his house.) He doesn't observe the birds the way I do, so we don't know when this first started, but I would guess at least two months ago, about mid-November.
Hen (Columbian Wyandotte) is just finishing molt, and I noticed the swellings just in the start of molting. Whatever it is does not seem to be transmitting to the other chickens, and does not seem to be causing any other symptoms of illness - clear eyes, nostrils, eating normally, etc. I don't have access to a vet with bird expertise and all of my internet and library searching has turned up nothing.
The soft patch of skin between eye and beak looks like there is a bubble under the skin. Not bleeding, oozing, scabby or anything else, just puffy. Both sides of the head are affected. I am half tempted to lance one side open, to see if this is some sort of abscess, but I don't want to cause further discomfort, or possibly spread something to the other hens!
I am not sure what to do. I am not opposed to culling any ill bird for the benefit of the flock, but her symptoms do not seem to warrant culling just yet. I just have no idea what's going on.
Any input would be greatly appreciated!!
