Something wrong with keel

[henaynei]

I was handling/inspecting my chickens yesterday and found this on the keel of my Lavender Orpington rooster.
He was said to be just over a year old when I bought him about 5-6 weeks ago.
Under the skin is Very red. There is no sign of lice or mites. The scab/yellow scale is dry and securely attached. I could find no other problem or injury on him.

Any idea what this is and if it needs treatment?

 

[Eggcessive]

This is known as a breast blister. It is usually a result of a chicken lying on the floor in rough or damp bedding, putting pressure on his keel, or in a case I had, of a cockerel staying on a roost most of the time when he was too afraid of his flock mates. Sometimes you will see this in a chicken who is having problems walking as in mycoplasma synovitis, or other problems causing lameness. I would use some betadine or vetericyn on the wound to ger it to dry out and heal. If the chicken is roosting, you can wrap the roost with a soft material to soften it.