pustule(?) at base of tail

[frankenchick]

One of my NH hens has a strange bump at the base of her tail. It is shaped like the "fingers" on one of those shower massagers with the long handle. I'd say it's about 1/8" tall. It's all red, except at the very end, where it's yellow like a pimple that's about to pop. Prissy has pulled out quite a few feathers around it. I squeezed it gently and nothing happened (I was going to put antibiotic ointment on it) and Prissy didn't seem to feel any pain. I finally just sprayed it with some Wound-Kote so the others wouldn't bother it. She is eating and behaving very normally.

Any ideas?

 

[speckledhen]

You may be looking at the oil gland. That's how they preen, the spread oil from that gland through their feathers as "waterproofing".

 

[MissPrissy]

Look at this thread

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=28942

That little red finger is the oil gland.

Are you refering to this on your chicken?

 

[frankenchick]

that's exactly what it looks like; it's also the same location.

Is it okay if it's yellow at the top?

Should I wash off the Wound-Kote from the gland? I have to leave it on the bare spot; the others will peck at it if I don't.

 

[silkiechicken]

I'd just leave the oil gland alone. If it is plugged up and swollen, a hot compress should help unclog it.