What is this Scabby & Enlarged Thing on Roo's Chest?

[Acre4Me]

For what it is worth, I have only seen one breast blister in 8 years of chickens with 2x4 roosts with the wide side up. The breast blister was on a rooster on a 2x2 roost bar in a breeding pen who was being bullied by the other two in the large pen, and he never came off the roost.

Definitely time on roost will impact this. Since it is winter, they are spending more time on the roost, and this may very well have been a factor in this breast blister. However, This BJG is nearly 11 pounds and not yet 1 year old. He is expected to get to at least 13 pounds or more. So, in his particular case, I think weight and size are also factors. He is head of the flock and the only male, so he is out and about all day until the sun sets and then he is in the coop. I do have a light on in the coop, but they tend to roost when in the coop irregardless of the light. We have not noticed this issue on any of the other chickens, although we have not particularly inspected all of them.

Did he happen see any folded up feathers in there?

No. No feathers inside, just "chicken cheese" as spouse referred to the puss.

I think the size of the bird is a factor too. I use 2x4’s wide side. I have a 4” round dowel from Home Depot. I use it mostly out side.
When you’ve got a big heavy bird ya got to be careful of perches too high too skinny...reminds me of “Goldilocks & the 3 bears”

Agree, in this case, I think size of the bird is a factor. Wondering if we should get large round dowels or just turn the roost bars. It should be pretty easy to turn the roost bars, though. We also may only choose to turn two of the four roost bars, so we can see if they choose differently based on size of roost bars. I think that they will choose the highest irregardless. We do have a ladder roost, with the lowest roost about 18" off the floor of the coop. We will likely keep that one flat/wide as it is the first place most of them jump onto. However, the spacing is such that the smaller chickens (not the BJG) can fly up between the roosts to land on the second or third roost bar....maybe the highest too, but the highest is usually full of birds in the late afternoon/evening, so their tactic is to fly onto a lower roost, then nudge their way onto the highest roost!

 

[MissChick@dee]

Yep sounds like typical chicken behavior. I’ve been reading on breast blisters (thank you). Seems like padding is a option that works. Since the Roo doesn’t go up high you could start with his favorite spot. Ya never know how they’ll take to it. Many birds in cages or with out perches get this so at least yours have a proper environment. Did you know there are people who remove part of the keel bone @two weeks? OHMGosh...crazy!
I have a round dowel fixed with a board that might give you an idea. Next time I go to the coop/run I’ll take a photo. Too cold right now!!!

 

[FlyingNunFarm]

I use an old cut down tree for a roost. It was dead but standing so I cut it down. Probably 5-6 across at the base and 2 inches at the top. My bigger heavier birds seem to gravitate towards the thicker end. I haven’t had any trouble with breast blisters. Though I will be checking now just in case.

 

[Acre4Me]

Day 8 update: Doing well. Puss was drained 2 days ago, but looks like there is still a bit more to maybe address later. The size is smaller, but still a large blister. Still needs to heal. We did soak him again today. We applied betadine and will apply neospirin. However, we will not apply bandage because it looks like it can withstand having air, and does not need the level of protection. Hopefully we will turn top 2 roost bars to the thinner side tomorrow, leaving the bottom 2 roost bars on the wide, flat side for now.

here are his pics from today:

 

[Redhead Rae]

Don't see any pics.

 

[Acre4Me]

Pictures from day 8:
Big boy in his bath. Look how tall and large he is...he is one big rooster, and not even fully grown yet, not even 1 year old.

Looks like a smaller hidden plug underneath the enlarged area. But not so enormous as the first and main one.

 

[Acre4Me]

Don't see any pics.

hit post too soon. They are up now.

 

[MissChick@dee]

Continues to look good. Good catch looking underneath. I agree with you. Let him dry out and see what it looks like (keep checking him) in about 3-4 days. The wound might settle and reshape itself. And give you a new target when you start soaking again.
And “Good Gravey Gert!” He IS a big boy.
Very Handsome.
Can’t wait to see him fully matured. I hope he turns out to be a sweet heart.
Thanks for the update. Great pictures

 

[Chick-N-Fun]

What a handsome fella! He looks like he is loving the spa treatments!

 

[Acre4Me]

“Good Gravey Gert!” He IS a big boy.

Seriously, right! He should put on another 2.5 pounds in order to reach standard weight for a BJG rooster. Kudos to my tween, who has been the one to fetch and return this big boy for all treatments!