Seriously Gross... But what is this deformity?

[Crazyland]

I picked up 6 Thai Game chicks a few weeks ago.
Well this little one has developed an oddity. I need to know what it is and what to do about it.
He acts like the others. Nothing at all different. The bulbous part is firm and when squeezed will produce clear liquid from the tube sticking out.
Yes I have thought it was part of his spinal cord perhaps.

 

[silkiechicken]

That is his oil gland. Check all the birds, they all have them. What that kind of looks like though is that it may have gotten infected thus is swollen larger than it should be.

 

[Kittymomma]

Looks like his oil gland to me. Seems a bit large, but that could just be 'cause he's a little guy......maybe a bit impacted or something though.

 

[Sir Birdaholic]

I hope it's a tail, so he'll wag it when he's happy!

 

[Crazyland]

ok so safe to squeeze it out? IE how do you help him?

I have never seen it on any other bird... poking out like THAT! They are all nice and flush little tooshies.

 

[Kittymomma]

Quote:
Ugh, I have no idea. I suppose I'd start with a warm water soak and see if you can find a particualarly red/swollen area on it. I'm not a big fan of antibotics, but if it seems to be an infection that might be the way to go.

Hopefully someone who's dealt with this before will see the thread and chime in soon--maybe change your title to swollen, possibly infected oil gland or something like that so those that have seen it before will be more likely to find this thread...

 

[Judy]

I wouldn't squeeze it. Maybe some warm compresses and some Neosporin.

 

[yomama]

I'm so glad you posted this. I've only raised chicks once, and noticed this (much smaller, of course) on my chicks. I've always meant to get on here and see what it was. I figured it wasn't a big deal, since they all had one, and my chicks' (oil glands) never seemed to be irritated or enlarged. Very interesting. What is it designed to do? Kind of in a weird spot for them to leave their scent on things. (except on the rooster,

)

 

[Kittymomma]

They use it to preen their feathers with. I don't think there is any scent, just some water proofing.

 

[spikennipper]

It's perfectly normal as other people have said it's his oil gland that they need to waterproof their feathers all chickens/birds have one his is just more noticeable due to the lack of feather covering it looks fine to me, no need to squeeze it or touch it at all!