What is this fluid filled sac?

[superchemicalgirl]

We were processing roos today and we found this on a 7 month old turken (never noticed it when he had feathers). At first I thought it was a hernia, but it didn't connect to the abdominal cavity. It was subcutaneous right over the sternum, and was movable from side to side. It was filled with yellow (but clear, not pus) fluid which didn't smell bad.

Any ideas?









Everything else looked normal on him.

 

[FireTigeris]

encapsulated? color of fluid?

 

[superchemicalgirl]

Yes, encapsulated. Yellow, dark, almost like movie theatre butter, but clear, not cloudy.

 

[Elke Beck]

Do a search for "keel cyst" or "breast blister" and see if the pictures match.

 

[superchemicalgirl]

Thank you. I'd guess that's what it is. I didn't see any sign of infection or scab, like some of the pictures show, but that has to be it. There were roosts in the tractor they're in and each time we do some roosters a new head jerk appears that traumatizes all the lower rank birds, causing them to roost for most of the day.

I do get special pleasure though out of doing the head jerk first, and then having peace in the tractor for a few days.