Huge abscess with scab

[caldwell_A]

Earlier, I had posted that it might be a squamous cell carcinoma, but in the last photo, it looks more like a melanoma skin cancer. Here is a link to look at picture 4 of a melonoma:
View attachment 3344848

Thank you for this! I’ve never had any experience with this in my birds and that picture makes a lot of sense. I just feel terrible for the poor guy. I’m reading an article right now, and even trying to make the incision, it was really tough to get through. It’s saying that’s another sign of a type of cancer and/or tumor versus an abscess or cyst.

 

[Eggcessive]

If you should lose your chicken someday, your state vet could perform a necropsy and tell you what you are dealing with. Here is a list of state vets to contact ahead of time and discuss details of how to get the body there and costs:
https://www.metzerfarms.com/poultry-labs.html