Thickened skin, hardened skin, inflamed skin on chickens back - photos enclosed

[Yvonne49]

Has anyone seen anything like this thickened raised skin on our chookies back? The feathers are missing as she is a favourite of our rooster, I’ve just put a saddle on her. The skin is red and swollen. It’s also really delicate, when I was investigating, this wound tore right open and inside it looks like human adipose tissue, which I’ve never seen on a chicken before. It isn’t pussy, it also didn’t bleed. It honestly looks like preening gland oil came out. The past 3 nights I have been alternating between Manuka honey wound gel and triple antibiotic ointment after cleaning, then finishing off with certrigen spray (I think others know this as blue coat) which is why it all looks purple, but the swelling and raised nature of the skin doesn’t seem to have changed at all. Her preening gland also seems irritated and inflamed, I believe it was blocked, but after some hot compress, seems to be functioning again. In the photo, you can see her healthy skin further up her back.

We inherited this chicken 6 years ago, she came with the house. I don’t know how old she was when we moved here, so she is minimum 6 years old. She holds her weight really well, eats well and is living her (mostly) best life. She is at the very top of the pecking order. She is a stern but fair matriarch. Planning on taking to vet if I can’t get on top of it myself.

 

[SmiYa0126]

@Wyorp Rock @azygous @Eggcessive please help!

 

[Eggcessive]

I would use some warm wet compresses on her skin 2-3 times a day. You can massage the preen gland as well. Then clean it with chlorhexidene/Hibiclens and water or some Betadine. Antibiotic ointment twice a day would be good as well.

 

[Blue Andalusian]

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Has anyone seen anything like this thickened raised skin on our chookies back? The feathers are missing as she is a favourite of our rooster, I’ve just put a saddle on her. The skin is red and swollen. It’s also really delicate, when I was investigating, this wound tore right open and inside it looks like human adipose tissue, which I’ve never seen on a chicken before. It isn’t pussy, it also didn’t bleed. It honestly looks like preening gland oil came out. The past 3 nights I have been alternating between Manuka honey wound gel and triple antibiotic ointment after cleaning, then finishing off with certrigen spray (I think others know this as blue coat) which is why it all looks purple, but the swelling and raised nature of the skin doesn’t seem to have changed at all. Her preening gland also seems irritated and inflamed, I believe it was blocked, but after some hot compress, seems to be functioning again. In the photo, you can see her healthy skin further up her back.

We inherited this chicken 6 years ago, she came with the house. I don’t know how old she was when we moved here, so she is minimum 6 years old. She holds her weight really well, eats well and is living her (mostly) best life. She is at the very top of the pecking order. She is a stern but fair matriarch. Planning on taking to vet if I can’t get on top of it myself.

looks really bad, my rooster also did this to my chicken. But I had no idea what to do, so I left it. And eventually, her feathers grew back. Idk if this helps though

 

[Susan Skylark]

Do birds get pyoderma (literally a skin infection)? In dogs it is an inflammation of the skin, thickened red oozing serum, Yeast and bacterial overgrowth as well. It can spread under the hair and cover half the dog before you notice it. Small localized areas can be treated topically (keep it dry and antibacterial applications), larger areas need systemic antibiotics for 3-6 weeks.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Has anyone seen anything like this thickened raised skin on our chookies back? The feathers are missing as she is a favourite of our rooster, I’ve just put a saddle on her. The skin is red and swollen. It’s also really delicate, when I was investigating, this wound tore right open and inside it looks like human adipose tissue

It honestly looks like preening gland oil came out.

Being mounted a lot, the skin does seem to thicken up.
And yes, it can get swollen and irritated.

I'd continue with care as you have been doing and as suggested in Post#3.

A saddle can help protect her while she heals up and deter the other hens from picking at her. I'd move the rooster for a while until she heals up and the inflammation and irritation resolves. He will fare better being alone than she would and having to re-introduce her to the flock. A rooster can flow right back in most of the time.

 

[Yvonne49]

I would use some warm wet compresses on her skin 2-3 times a day. You can massage the preen gland as well. Then clean it with chlorhexidene/Hibiclens and water or some Betadine. Antibiotic ointment twice a day would be good as well.

Thank you. What would be the best way to massage the preen gland?

 

[Yvonne49]

Do birds get pyoderma (literally a skin infection)? In dogs it is an inflammation of the skin, thickened red oozing serum, Yeast and bacterial overgrowth as well. It can spread under the hair and cover half the dog before you notice it. Small localized areas can be treated topically (keep it dry and antibacterial applications), larger areas need systemic antibiotics for 3-6 weeks.

I’m not sure if chickens can get pyoderma, I have no idea. This thickened skin and the wound on it isn’t oozing pus, and there hasn’t been any pus, just the oily residue

Do birds get pyoderma (literally a skin infection)? In dogs it is an inflammation of the skin, thickened red oozing serum, Yeast and bacterial overgrowth as well. It can spread under the hair and cover half the dog before you notice it. Small localized areas can be treated topically (keep it dry and antibacterial applications), larger areas need systemic antibiotics for 3-6 weeks.

I’m not sure if chickens can get pyoderma, I have no idea. This thickened skin and the wound on it isn’t oozing pus, and there hasn’t been any pus, just the oily residue which looked like preen gland oil.

 

[Eggcessive]

You can make some simple no-sew one piece hen saddles from soft polar fleece that are held on by 2 wing slits. I took an old polar fleece shirt and many of us have old blanket throws around the house to use. They are held on by the wings. Here is a similar one that would work:
http://www.linnacresfarm.com/2014/04/how-to-make-simple-hen-saddleapron.html

 

[SmiYa0126]

How is she doing?