Weird Growth Nob Thingy on A Guinea Cock

[weebug]

One of the guinea cocks has what looks like a fleshy nob about 1/4 to 1/2 in long with what appears to be a cluster of tiny baby feathers on it's tip. It is located in the middle of his back. He was picking at it (so was his mate) when I noticed it and he let me pick him up to look closer. Randy tried to photograph it, but with all the feathers it was hard to get a good shot of it. Any ideas what it could be? Here is alink to a photo of it. I could not find how to attach a photo to this message http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=176767689022975&set=a.175875985778812.36908.137169316316146

Someone on facebook suggested an in-grown feather. A friend at PCoV thinks it could be a feather cyst and sent me to this site: http://www.avianweb.com/feathercysts.html and suggested I use a product called Ichthammol "which is a drawing salve http://www.cvs.com/CVSApp/catalog/shop_ ... ee_Listing Another said "it's oil gland, all birds have them!! I wouldn't touch it!!"

Please, I would love any suggestions as to what it is and what to do about it. I haven't seen him messing with it today - frankly I don't know which guinea it is other than it has to be one of the three cocks and I have been observing the three of them toady as I've been working in the yard and coop. But I plan to look at each one of them closely tonight after it get dark enough for them to allow me to pick them up.

Thank you,

Rene.

 

[chickenzoo]

Can you get a pic in relation to where it is on the bird... it's hard to tell. Yes all birds have an oil gland, down by the base of the tail on the birds back, but it is skin colored. They can get clogged. Feathers can also be ingrown like suggested or disrupted from injury. I would not use use the save on a place the bird could pick it off and injest it. If it's not the oil gland or if it's inflamed, I would take warm water with epsom salt and put hot compresses on it and see if it ruptures or gets unclogged.

 

[Chicken Boo]

I have a similar thing on on of my EEs.

 

[weebug]

It is right smack dab in the middle of it's back. He was picking at it, which got my attention to it. His mate picked at it too. I tried to get a look again tonight but they all went into the coop early and got on the highest perches - of course. I will try to get a look again tomorrow.

Rene.