Lump under beak between wattles/how to hold chickens beak open to look inside

[Its_raining_chicken_poop]

I have a hen who has been shaking her head after eating and drinking and looks like she's having a very hard time swallowing. In the past she has had a crop impaction which I helped her break up and was thinking potentially was the case again. I caught her and felt her neck, and a little behind were her beak ends I can feel a hard lump. It is mostly on the right side. It almost feels like it could be something she ate that is lodged in her throat, she has a history of eating feathers and trying to eat hair so I wouldn't doubt it, but I'm thinking that it's something else. I have tried looking into her mouth but have been unable to open it and angle her head so I can see (the lump is tword the back of her throat so I need to tip her head up). I don't want to mess with her breathing because it sounds challenged when I tilt her head up, but I don't know how else to look in deep enough. If anyone has any idea what potential issues could be it would be great if they could suggest them so I can have something to go off of once I can get a good look. How should I hold her or what can I use to keep her mouth open?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I have a hen who has been shaking her head after eating and drinking and looks like she's having a very hard time swallowing. In the past she has had a crop impaction which I helped her break up and was thinking potentially was the case again. I caught her and felt her neck, and a little behind were her beak ends I can feel a hard lump. It is mostly on the right side. It almost feels like it could be something she ate that is lodged in her throat, she has a history of eating feathers and trying to eat hair so I wouldn't doubt it, but I'm thinking that it's something else. I have tried looking into her mouth but have been unable to open it and angle her head so I can see (the lump is tword the back of her throat so I need to tip her head up). I don't want to mess with her breathing because it sounds challenged when I tilt her head up, but I don't know how else to look in deep enough. If anyone has any idea what potential issues could be it would be great if they could suggest them so I can have something to go off of once I can get a good look. How should I hold her or what can I use to keep her mouth open?

Welcome To BYC

If you can have someone help hold her, it will be easier to open the beak and examine her.
You can lightly swaddle her in a towel or cloth to help keep the wings closed so you can control her better and she doesn't flat around.

The article below may be helpful with getting the beak open. Look for any obstructions, canker or lesions inside of the beak. Let us know what you find out.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...dications-to-all-poultry-and-waterfowl.73335/