Is this a feather cyst or something else?

[JuneJ58732]

Hello, this is my first time posting.

One of my hens has this strange skin ball that is attached to her neck, I noticed it a few weeks ago. I've attached pictures but I couldn't really get up close or get many angles. It's red, like her skin, and yes she is missing some feathers on her neck and head. She is our rooster's favorite and I separate him from the hens every spring/summer.

Anyway, I don't know if this is a feather cyst or something else. She hasn't had any changes in behavior, she is still eating and drinking and is active. I can grab and twist the skin without her reacting. It's rather hard/dense and has strange thin vertical scab like marks on it. It's base that is attached to the neck is much smaller than the skin ball.

Any ideas?

 

[Trux]

You roosters favorite eh. Maybe it is where he grabs the back of her neck when he tops her...just a thought. Is it growing or staying the same size?

 

[janiedoe]

If it feels like it has fluid in it, & if you can hold her still, you might try a warm compress a couple of times a day for 10 minutes at a time. If it is a cyst it will ooze after a few days of this. Then you can just clean it and apply a topical antibiotic ( one without analgesics) for a few days.

 

[ellend]

Looks like a tumor. Can be benign.

 

[JuneJ58732]

Today I took another look at it. I used a scalpel and made a tiny incision that barely broke the skin. Blood was the only thing that came out. I also got much better pictures.

 

[JuneJ58732]

You roosters favorite eh. Maybe it is where he grabs the back of her neck when he tops her...just a thought. Is it growing or staying the same size?

I believe it grew just a bit, it's shape is definitely different from when I first noticed.

 

[TSA]

Looks like a tumor. Can be benign.

I wold not bother it anymore but that just a thought and I would put her by herself and watch it for a couple of days.

 

[JuneJ58732]

Thanks everyone! I'm gonna leave it be for a while and keep an eye on her. If she starts acting strange or if the lump changes I'll probably call the vet.

 

[Lamontelle4]

I call them strawberries. There just skin tags that are mutated skin cells left over from a developing comb on a chicken. If you wanted to you could cut it off and then stitch the area back up, or you could just leave it be. They don’t hurt the chicken in any way. However if it changes color or your chicken grows more of them, then maybe you could consult a vet about it.