How can I still be this naive?

[Henriettamom919]

I freaked out a few weeks back because I spotted what looked like a growth on one of my layers. I was all ready to ask you all but decided to Google first for some reference.

So, it's her preening gland

I had no idea it was visible It's perfectly healthy, just a little nub above her tail feathers on her lower back.

Thought I'd share and save someone else the panic of stupidity I had

 

[Eggcessive]

It is not stupid. Most people new to chickens have to learn the parts of the body to know what is normal and what is not. Before I had chickens, I had no idea what the preen gland was. I read several books about raising chickens and a lot of BYC before I ever got the chicks. Many people learn as rhey go. You would not believe how many posts there are about discovery of the preen gland. It is also a common place for pecking and can develop an infection or abscess.

 

[Ginmary]

This is the first I've ever heard of the preening gland! Ill have to look for it.

 

[Henriettamom919]

It is not stupid. Most people new to chickens have to learn the parts of the body to know what is normal and what is not. Before I had chickens, I had no idea what the preen gland was. I read several books about raising chickens and a lot of BYC before I ever got the chicks. Many people learn as rhey go. You would not believe how many posts there are about discovery of the preen gland. It is also a common place for pecking and can develop an infection or abscess.

Yes, I saw how common injury/infection was when I discovered Google images of it

I know I read about it at one point but I think I assumed like most scent glands on animals it wouldn't be visibly obvious like that!

Thank you for not laughing at me

 

[Henriettamom919]

This is the first I've ever heard of the preening gland! Ill have to look for it.

I'm not the only one!

For reference:

https://www.bing.com/images/search?...2340664&selectedindex=11&mode=overlay&first=1

 

[blackandtan]

Hahaha ha I totally get that! I on the other hand, knew what a preen gland was as I am an avid fly-tier (tyer?), and the best dry fly feathers are “cul-de-cunard” or “greasy duck bum” and EVERY book I have says that these feathers and their gland are UNDER the tail (makes sense right, every anal gland is under the tail), so imagine my surprise years ago when I got my first chooks and watched them preening and rubbing their heads on their rumps, not their bottoms!

 

[Henriettamom919]

Hahaha ha I totally get that! I on the other hand, knew what a preen gland was as I am an avid fly-tier (tyer?), and the best dry fly feathers are “cul-de-cunard” or “greasy duck bum” and EVERY book I have says that these feathers and their gland are UNDER the tail (makes sense right, every anal gland is under the tail), so imagine my surprise years ago when I got my first chooks and watched them preening and rubbing their heads on their rumps, not their bottoms!

That is very cool! Do you have any pictures? My hubby loves fly fishing and all things "fly"! Best trip he ever had was a place in Canada only accessible by float plane!

 

[Shadrach]

I freaked out a few weeks back because I spotted what looked like a growth on one of my layers. I was all ready to ask you all but decided to Google first for some reference.

So, it's her preening gland

I had no idea it was visible It's perfectly healthy, just a little nub above her tail feathers on her lower back.

Thought I'd share and save someone else the panic of stupidity I had

There are so many things to learn about chickens that just don't get mentioned much.
Where I live some experienced chicken keepers inspect their fowls' preen gland as others do for mites and lice.
I've been shown what signs to look for and I still can't tell much about the health of a chicken by looking.

 

[Aunt Angus]

My husband reminded me of how freaked out I was when I saw one of my first chicks' full crops and immediately thought cyst or tumor. Even now, I panic whenever a new issue pops up. If you could see my search history...


It just shows how closely and carefully you look after your flock!

 

[blackandtan]

Jeez I don’t think I’ve ever taken a pic of a fly, I just make them cause I lose so many on trees, bushes, driftwood etc......