What is it?

[cbrokaw]

I adopted 7 chickens and a rooster about 1 year ago. One of my chickens hatched a chick which we rescued and raised in the house (under proper temps etc.). The chick is now 2 months old and we don't know if it is a boy or a girl yet. We have notice that there is this "nub" on on it's back at the base of the spine right where the tail feathers begin. The chicken/rooster will fiddle with it with its' beak and rub its' head over it while it is preening itself. What is this thing?

 

[Colored Egg Farmer]

I believe that is the preening gland

 

[JohnL11935]

Sounds like the oil gland.


http://butcherachicken.blogspot.com/2007/09/step-6-remove-oil-gland.html

 

[cbrokaw]

Thank you so much for the information. Like I said....I'm very new to all of this and am trying to learn everything I can about them to make sure the live a long and happy life.