What is this?

[djharry]

I noticed this on one of my Rhode Island Reds. Is this the start of a new feather or a problem?

 

[DobieLover]

Hello and welcome to BYC! Glad you joined.
It looks like the preen oil gland.

 

[Chick-N-Fun]

Welcome to our FUNomenal Flock!
Have you checked for mites? It could just be an inflamed feather follicle. Try putting plain neosporin on the area....
Best Wishes & Be Well!

 

[Painted Calls]

Hello and welcome to BYC! It's just the preen gland. No worries!

 

[Kale the Quail]

Welcome to BYC! lots of awesome people with even more information

 

[djharry]

Hello and welcome to BYC! Glad you joined.
It looks like the preen oil gland.

This is my first time having chickens and I got these girls when they were older. So I'm not quite sure what do I do with this? I did put some hen on the mend spray on it but I don't know what else I should do. T i a

 

[Painted Calls]

You don't need to do anything with it. It's supposed to be there and it's supposed to look like that. When they preen, they go over that gland to get oil and then distribute it through their feathers.

 

[djharry]

Thank you so much. I never noticed it before!! Phew

 

[Painted Calls]

Thank you so much. I never noticed it before!! Phew

You aren't the first and you surely won't be the last! Tons of people have never seen them and freak out when they discover them.

 

[sourland]

Welcome to BYC. Yep, just a normal part of the chicken's anatomy, and OM is correct you are not the first to ask, "What is this?"