Older Golden Comet hen with growths on head and beak

[Eggcessive]

A relative is a pathologist. After looking at the pictures they don’t think that is papilloma virus, but suggested that it could be sarcoma, a soft tissue tumor. It would need to be biopsied and sent to a poultry pathologist, such as having a necropsy performed by the state vet after the chicken dies or is put down, to really know what it is.

 

[lwphilbeck]

Has this bird been separated from the rest of your flock for a year? Is anyone else in the flock showing signs of it?

When it first had shown up, I separated her for a couple months. She never crusted and she was very healthy. So, I put her back with the flock. These wart-like things are not on any other hens. Just Lucille. She doesn't act like it hurts or is sickly. She just gets aggravated and shakes her head trying to get it off her beak. I'm guessing. Not sure if that is another symptom or just aggravation. Sometimes it goes back in her mouth, but then she can't close her beak.....so, she shakes again to get it out.

 

[lwphilbeck]

That's right up there with awful stuff happening to a chicken. The lack of crusty lesions and the long duration would lead me to believe this isn't pox. I've never seen anything like this on a chicken. @Kanekoded may be on to something here.

Papilloma warts do happen to dogs and cats and pet birds, so I suppose it could also happen to a chicken. Unfortunately, the usual treatment, surgical removal may not be an option in this case since the area affected is the face and is so extensive. A vet should be consulted if you are interested in treating it. Otherwise, euthanasia would be the best option if these lesions are seriously affecting ability to see, eat, drink and preen.

Wonder if the one that is in her beak, but protrudes can be removed? She's such a sweetie, my shadow when we are outside, and I want to do anything I can to help her. Culling is definitely the LAST option.

 

[lwphilbeck]

Can you get photos of the inside of her beak?

I will try tomorrow. At first I thought it was her tongue that was enlarged. But, after her chilling and napping on my lap this afternoon, I noticed she has to move her tongue only on the left side of her beak. The wart-thing is on the right side. And, it isn't attached to her tongue. It looks like it comes from the soft area of her bottom beak under the tongue. If that even makes sense??

 

[lwphilbeck]

Has this bird been separated from the rest of your flock for a year? Is anyone else in the flock showing signs of it?

I separated her when it had first shown up. But after a couple months and no scabbing, I let her go back with the flock. None of my other hens have it.

 

[lwphilbeck]

Okay, so I just got off the phone with my mother after sending her pics of your bird (She has 80 years of experience raising chickens). At first she said, "oh for God's sake that's pox - you know that!" (Insert hard eyeroll here.) Anyway, when I pointed out the lack of crusty scabs associated with pox, she went and took a closer look at the pictures and said she can't recall ever seeing anything like it on a chicken but has seen it on a dog with food allergies. She suggests using the process of elimination. If the bird has been with the rest of the flock for a year and it's the only bird showing signs of it and the bird shows no other signs of sickness, you can rule out anything transmittable. It could tumors or some kind of cancer, if so, you're likely going to have to cull the bird eventually but before you do change the bird's diet to a whole-grain no soy, no corn, organic feed to see if there's any improvement.

Okay. Thank you! I'll get organic today.

 

[Eggcessive]

I have never fed organic feed. Early on it was hard to even find, but I have never had problems with the major brands of layer or flock raiser feed. They are the freshest ones here.

Is there any way that you could contact your state college poultry specialist or state vet just to look at some pictures of the lesions? I just think that is such a rare type of lesion, and someone may know if they have seen that before. If, you should lose her someday, do try and get a necropsy by the state vet who could diagnose sarcoma or some other cancer.

 

[azygous]

That's a great idea from @Eggcessive . I know if I emailed photos of such interesting lesions, my state pathologist would be eager to email me back a quick answer and probably not even charge me.

 

[Kanekoded]

The closest description that I could find of a possible cancer that could be affecting your gal is:

"Myeloid leukosis: Myeloid leukosis, caused by subgroup J, occurs in two, often overlapping forms referred to as myeloblastosis (myeloblastic myeloid leukosis) and Myelocytomatosis (myelocytic myeloid leukosis). Myelocytomatosis causes multiple masses (myelocytomas) on the chicken’s shanks, head, and oral cavity, trachea, and eye. The tumors are usually nodular and multiple, with a soft, friable consistency and of creamy color. This form of cancer occurs mainly in adult chickens, but sometimes in birds as young as five weeks of age. Both myeloblastic and myelocytic forms are often marked by leukaemia, and bone marrow becomes replaced by neoplastic myeloid cells."

http://www.poultrydvm.com/condition/lymphoid-leukosis

And with further research, I've found it to also be described using the words "blood blisters," which is sort of how I would describe some of what's on your bird's face.

I pray it's not this drastic but at the same time, good to know.

 

[lwphilbeck]

Hi everyone! Wanted to give an update on Lucille. She's still living her best life. Bosses all my other ladies around and still craves affection.

I haven't heard back from NC State yet. However, like before, she doesn't seem to be bothered with it, just aggravated that it's there.