Sick Hen Lump on Lower Back

[arodachick]

Hi...I'm new to the forum and sure hope you can help me. I have an 18 month old hen (named Ida) that has a lump (size of 50Cent piece) at the back of her spine where tail feathers begin. The lump is hard and kinda scaly. Some of the feathers have come out. She eats and drinks and gets around OK but her tail feathers are down and she looks "humped-up". I did have a very aggressive rooster and suspect he may have caused the problem. Any suggestions. Thanks...Sandy

 

[TreeFever]

Not totally sure, but I think that i where birds have an oil gland that they use to preen their feathers. Maybe the aggressive roo has hurt her oil gland? Maybe the gland is broken in some way?

 

[arodachick]

My husband had suggested that maybe there is a problem with the oil gland but I have no idea what, if anything, can be done about it. Again any suggestions would be welcome. Thanks !

 

[orcasislandchickens]

I am no expert, but is she gentle enough you can bring her in and give her a nice warm bath and good examination? If it is a clogged up oil gland maybe a warm wet bath will losen it up the dirt and skin cells or scab orwhatever, and you will be able to slowly unclog it. This time of year you will have to keep her in untill she is realy dry.

 

[arodachick]

Thanks for the suggestion--sounds like a good one. She is very tame and calm, I carry her around a lot. Bathing her shouldn't be a problem.