Strange lump on end of tail?

[CoturnixKeeper]

I have an enclosure with two male coturnixes, and one of them has some kind of inflamed lump at the end of his tail. It almost looks like an ingrown feather or something but it appears to be causing him a great deal of pain. He's been panting and trying to peck at it all day
Any advice is welcome!

 

[Birds of a Feather]

Are you sure it’s not the preen gland?

 

[Roomi the quail]

I think it's the preen gland, though it might have been blocked or infected if it's causing pain. It's not a quail case, but guinea pigs have oil glands too where their tails should be, and mine got it blocked a few years ago and went picking and nibbling at it incessantly. The vet washed his gland with medical oil soluble soap and put a disinfectant ointment, so it might help in this situation?

 

[gtaus]

It almost looks like an ingrown feather or something but it appears to be causing him a great deal of pain. He's been panting and trying to peck at it all day

I think you are looking at the preen gland. What makes you think your bird is in a great deal of pain? I usually think of preening as a sign my bird is healthy, happy, and taking good care of itself.

Here is a short video of a chicken preening itself with a nice closeup of the preen gland.