Huge Feather Cyst in Silkied Hedemora

[Pat Mcaffee]

My Hedemora chick is experiencing a huge and growing feather cyst on the back of its neck. What can I do to help it or drain the cyst or should I just let it be? I will include pictures below.

 

[Brahma Chicken5000]

@Texas Kiki @casportpony @azygous @Wyorp Rock @Eggcessive can you guys help?

 

[azygous]

I've dealt with feather cysts a couple of times. I was able to see the ingrown feather each time. They were just under the surface of the skin, and I was able to just barely break the skin and release the follicle. It popped out like a jack-in-the-box. Then I sprayed the skin with Vetericyn and it was good to go.

Can you see a shadowy dark dot in the area of the swelling? First spray with Vetericyn or dab Betadine or alcohol on the cyst. Then take a sterilized razor blade or Exacto knife and make a very tiny, shallow cut where you see the shadow of the follicle. Remember a chick's skin is very thin. You may need tweezers to give it a gentle tug to release it. Spray again with the Vetericyn or Betadine or smooth on some antibiotic ointment.

 

[Eggcessive]

I would follow the advice hiven by Azygous to try and make sure that you are dealing with a feather cyst versus a tumor. Feather cysts can recur in the same areas. They seem to be common in birds, but I have never treated one. Additionally here are some articles to read:
http://www.poultrydvm.com/condition/feather-follicle-cyst
https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/feather-cysts-in-birds
https://www.beautyofbirds.com/feathercysts.html

 

[Pat Mcaffee]

I've dealt with feather cysts a couple of times. I was able to see the ingrown feather each time. They were just under the surface of the skin, and I was able to just barely break the skin and release the follicle. It popped out like a jack-in-the-box. Then I sprayed the skin with Vetericyn and it was good to go.

Can you see a shadowy dark dot in the area of the swelling? First spray with Vetericyn or dab Betadine or alcohol on the cyst. Then take a sterilized razor blade or Exacto knife and make a very tiny, shallow cut where you see the shadow of the follicle. Remember a chick's skin is very thin. You may need tweezers to give it a gentle tug to release it. Spray again with the Vetericyn or Betadine or smooth on some antibiotic ointment.

As you can see, the swelling is pretty extreme but I can see little black dots in some area under the skin.