Small odd-looking protrusion on hen's back? Ingrown feather?

[ChickLover98]

Today, I saw Poppy picking at her back and found a finger-like protrusion. It sticks up pretty far and is soft-ish to the touch. Is is an in grown feather? How to treat?

Thanks for any help!

 

[dsqard]

Is it right above her tail on her back? If it is could it be her oil gland?

 

[ChickLover98]

Quote:
Thats exactly where it is! Its at the beginning of her tail. Is it something I have to treat?

 

[dkosh]

It may be an in-grown feather that may have infected. I would take a very sharp knife (scapel or exacto) and see if anything comes out. If something comes out I would squeeze it until nothing else comes out then I would put Triodine on it. She should be fine.

 

[BirdNut]

Quote:
Thats exactly where it is! Its at the beginning of her tail. Is it something I have to treat?

No, an oil gland is natural and actually necessary, to keep feathers looking healthy. They rub their beaks on it and spread the oil around the feathers when they groom. There is no need to treat an oil gland.

 

[ChickLover98]

Ok... So its either an oil gland or an ingrown infected feather...

 

[Katy]

If it's right above her tail it's her oil gland.....it's normal and and what she uses to groom herself.

 

[ChickLover98]

Quote:
Thats exactly where it is! Its at the beginning of her tail. Is it something I have to treat?

No, an oil gland is natural and actually necessary, to keep feathers looking healthy. They rub their beaks on it and spread the oil around the feathers when they groom. There is no need to treat an oil gland.

OK. I was just worried because I saw her pick at it, but maybe she was just spreading the oil around. So if I looked on my other chickens, I would see one on them, too?

 

[dsqard]

Nope perfectly normal. Here is a link to more information about it. http://www.chickeneggspert.com/chicken-behavior/feather-preening/34.asp

 

[BirdNut]

Quote:
No, an oil gland is natural and actually necessary, to keep feathers looking healthy. They rub their beaks on it and spread the oil around the feathers when they groom. There is no need to treat an oil gland.

OK. I was just worried because I saw her pick at it, but maybe she was just spreading the oil around. So if I looked on my other chickens, I would see one on them, too?

Yup, all chickens have it. Other species have it, too.