Tumor? or Sting? in comb of 4wk old silkie-mix

[arosenzweig]

The comb on this young bird appears to have a problem. Any advice is appreciated. Is it a tumor? a bee sting? Should I worry?








This is such a cool bird. at 4 wks old can fly about 20 feet. Very curious and adventurous personality. Willing to be pet and loved on.

I have some photos from a day or two ago when I first noticed a problem... so it looks like maybe it is getting worse? Here's the thread with those photos:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/893890/injured-comb-4wk-old-bird

This is a silkie mixed with something. Probably a boy you think? We'd hate to lose him or her if it is treatable now. Thanks for any advice.

 

[Stiggy]

it kind of looks like a pimple. try to lance it with a steralised needle and see if theres gunk in it. be wary because combs can bleed a bit so you will need some paper towels and wound powder/ spray. however it could be a normal bit of his comb, depending on his parents combs and his genetics, sometimes a Silkie mix will have a purple comb with red points/splotches in it, its just how it goes. how old is it? it looks like it could go either way on the gender front.

 

[arosenzweig]

He or she is 4 weeks old. I'd hate to pop it if it is "normal." Should I just wait and see what develops?

 

[Stiggy]

yes that would be good idea, give it a week, if it grows or changes then pop it as it could be an infection or cyst thing. however it could be normal, as I said it depends on what s/he is crossed with, but keep an eye on it.

 

[Stiggy]

the other thing is to check it to see if it is warmer/ colder than the rest of her comb/ skin. also check her/him over for other problems like lice ( near the vent area) and the other type of lice/mites that live around the neck feathers, check the legs and nose to make sure every thing is how I should be

 

[arosenzweig]

Thanks for all your comments Stiggy.

I wanted to follow up for anyone else who stumbles on this thread with a similar issue.

Coco (our silkie-mix) is looking good. We didn't do anything, just took a "wait and see" approach. Whatever it was, it disappeared quickly and she looks healthy and happy right now.

Here's a few picks of Coco:

 

[Stiggy]

Well that's good to hear that she is doing much better and that it resolved itself. Do you know what she is mixed with? she is gorgeous !

 

[arosenzweig]

Thank you! I'll pass on the compliment to her

We think she's beautiful too. She is part silkie but we really don't know the other part. Maybe a Mille Fleur D'uccle? Just a wild guess on my part. One foot has five toes, the other foot four. Each foot has a single large feather coming out.

She has some spunk. She'll fly up from the floor to land on your shoulder and then hop on your head if you'll let her. She also likes to roost on top of the laptop display. She makes lots of coos, purrs, and happy noises.

If you missed her "bikini" photo here is that thread:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/892914/bikini-bird

 

[Stiggy]

Omg that's brilliant, well at least someone's ready for beach weather lol . That's would be my guess as well since she clearly isn't a barred rock Silkie cross . the extra toe on one foot happens sometimes in pure Silkies, tho I don't know why. just like occasionally they have another extra toe with 6 ( and in one case 7 toes on one foot)