My roo has the same thing and got really agitated when I touched it, but he doesn’t mind it when I touch his oil gland. Anyone have advice? I love him a lot and I’m worried.
It is called a preening gland , they use the oil that comes out of it to keep their feathers waterproof and healthy . I was confused about that to because my chickens have it but it is a preening gland and I think all chickens have it .My hen has a little lump nodule thingy at the base of her tail it LOOKS like the hard casing of a feather but it feels like skin so I don't think it's a feather. When she cleans herself she seems to kind of scratch around it, shes not biting it hard but it's like shes itching it. (It's above her vent) Does anyone know what this is? Should I be worried?
somehow never noticed this on a chicken before and then saw one when my broody hen was grooming herself - obvious concern was that bc she's been sitting for so long that smth had gotten infected but nope! Just the oil gland reminds me of the first time I felt a chicks full gullet and thought something was very wrong haha
