weird abscess popped on cochin

[CrazyChickenLady35]

She’s free ranging separate from the flock now. Watching her and she’s acting completely normal. Walking around, scratching the ground, eating bugs, etc.

 

[Eggcessive]

It must be a tumor. Is it soft or firm? Hernias also can occur in that area, but tumors or cysts are very common in chickens. The others could have been pecking it, or she may have been lying on most bedding which caused the discoloration. I would try to see a vet or make sure that she is kept separated in a dog crate with food and water. If you can free range her separate through a fence from the flock that would be okay. Put some antibiotic ointment or disinfectant on the mass.

 

[CrazyChickenLady35]

It must be a tumor. Is it soft or firm? Hernias also can occur in that area, but tumors or cysts are very common in chickens. The others could have been pecking it, or she may have been lying on most bedding which caused the discoloration. I would try to see a vet or make sure that she is kept separated in a dog crate with food and water. If you can free range her separate through a fence from the flock that would be okay. Put some antibiotic ointment or disinfectant on the mass.

I’ve been convinced it’s a tumor for a while but my family keeps saying abscess. I already put her in our dog crate on a nesting pad with food and water. I have an antibacterial spray I can put on it, I can’t believe I forgot about that. Any other recommendations? She seems completely fine other than the affected area.

 

[Eggcessive]

If you should lose her at some point, I might have the state vet do a necropsy to check for lymphoid leukosis or Mareks, which cause lymphomas in chickens. Plain Neosporin is very good on wounds.

 

[CrazyChickenLady35]

If you should lose her at some point, I might have the state vet do a necropsy to check for lymphoid leukosis or Mareks, which cause lymphomas in chickens. Plain Neosporin is very good on wounds.

I may have to do that. This will be the 4th bird I’ve lost in the last 8 months with weird symptoms I can’t explain.
I have gauze and vet wrap, along with unopened Mupirocin(basically stronger neosporin). Should I attempt to wrap it around her and put her back with the flock tomorrow? I don’t want to keep her separated longer than necessary, she’s already very low in the pecking order.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

This is the 3rd time posting about my cochin with some sort of weird abscess. Nobody has been able to figure out what it is. Over the last few weeks it has tripled in size, and within the last 24 hours it seems to have popped. It doesnt seem painful but it looks absolutely disgusting and I don’t know what to do. At this point would it be more humane to euthanize her? I can touch it(with gloves of course) and she doesn’t react at all so I don’t think it’s causing her pain. The middle bulging part is hard and firm, and the surrounding part is softer but also firm. What do I do?? I’ve never seen anything like it.
EXTREME CONTENT WARNING-GRAPHIC

I may have to do that. This will be the 4th bird I’ve lost in the last 8 months with weird symptoms I can’t explain.
I have gauze and vet wrap, along with unopened Mupirocin(basically stronger neosporin). Should I attempt to wrap it around her and put her back with the flock tomorrow? I don’t want to keep her separated longer than necessary, she’s already very low in the pecking order.

Sorry about your hen.

It looks like you posted a thread in November 2024 initially, so she's had the mass/tumor/abscess for about 15+months(?) That's pretty good for her to keep going for this long. (link to original thread below)

I can't say what that is, but I agree it doesn't look very good. How is her weight, does she feel like she's wasting at all? She's pooping o.k.?

I would keep her separated out, if you have a large kennel that can be placed within the coop/run where she is protected from predators and can be near the flock I'd try that. I'd for sure monitor very heavily for any fly activity. Even in cooler weather, flies will be attracted to the open wound.

Generally, you don't want to wrap an open wound like that. I'd flush/clean it with saline, Chlorhexidine or Povidone Iodine, then coat with ointment.

If you lose her, having a necropsy would be a good idea.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...t-it-is-it’s-below-the-vent-and-huge.1646695/

 

[CrazyChickenLady35]

Sorry about your hen.

It looks like you posted a thread in November 2024 initially, so she's had the mass/tumor/abscess for about 15+months(?) That's pretty good for her to keep going for this long. (link to original thread below)

I can't say what that is, but I agree it doesn't look very good. How is her weight, does she feel like she's wasting at all? She's pooping o.k.?

I would keep her separated out, if you have a large kennel that can be placed within the coop/run where she is protected from predators and can be near the flock I'd try that. I'd for sure monitor very heavily for any fly activity. Even in cooler weather, flies will be attracted to the open wound.

Generally, you don't want to wrap an open wound like that. I'd flush/clean it with saline, Chlorhexidine or Povidone Iodine, then coat with ointment.

If you lose her, having a necropsy would be a good idea.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/help-my-cochin-hen-has-some-sort-of-abscess-idk-what-it-is-it’s-below-the-vent-and-huge.1646695/

she’s always been very light, maybe 2-3 pounds. i can weigh her tomorrow. we have a large outside cage made from a dog cage, but i have pullets in it right now and shouldn’t put her in there as well. i’ll bring the cage she’s in currently into the coop in the morning as well. could this be a strangulated hernia?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

she’s always been very light, maybe 2-3 pounds. i can weigh her tomorrow. we have a large outside cage made from a dog cage, but i have pullets in it right now and shouldn’t put her in there as well. i’ll bring the cage she’s in currently into the coop in the morning as well. could this be a strangulated hernia?

I don't know if it's a Hernia or not, I've never seen one. @Eggcessive and @coach723 suggested it may be one in your older thread, but I really do not know.

 

[coach723]

I also am concerned that it may be a tumor or cyst. Tumors have a lot of blood supply and will bleed when opened. They can be very slow growing or very fast growing. It may have spread to the skin or just caused a rupture from the pressure. Also could have been pecked or caught on something that tore/damaged it. Having been there for so long, it seems the most likely thing. If vet care is an option, that is what I would do. If it's an in situ tumor (contained to the site) it might be able to be removed if it hasn't spread. I think an abscess would be more gooey/nasty with discharge and odor. But I'm not a vet and I can't see/feel/smell it myself. If it is/were a hernia I would be very worried about infection at this point which could become septic since that would mean likely spread to intestines/abdominal cavity. I would do what you can to prevent infection, not sure I would try to wrap it as that can sometimes close in bacteria and make things worse. And being where it is, below the vent, bacteria are definitely a factor. If vet care is not an option, then definitely I would recommend a necropsy after she passes, to find out if it's something that could affect other birds in your flock, or not. Cancers and tumors are not uncommon, and they often look different than what you can find pictured.