What The Heck Is That???? UPDATE!!

[greenfamilyfarms]

Quote:
What they said.

 

[Damummis]

Checked on the little one today, Boy she seems fine. Just that "thing". I am not so worked up about it thank to everyone. I will keep an eye on her though.

My daughter did say, "Oh, that? That has ALWAYS been like that." So maybe I am over-reacting. It's my job, I'm the Mom.

I really don't think it is a breast blister. It really seems more hernia to me, especially after feeling other hens.

Thanks for everyones input.

 

[tulie13]

If it's not a breast blister, it could be a slightly "pendulous" crop. If that's the case, and it hangs down lower than it should, it might not empty correctly. You need to keep an eye on that bird for developing sour or impacted crop.

Pendulous crops are a birth defect, as I understand. So "it's always been like that" sort of raises my suspicion for that to be the culprit.

 

[Damummis]

Quote:
I think you hit the nail on the head!!!!

I have been massaging it and it goes down just like a crop.

Thank you!

 

[Damummis]

After closer examination.........

I feel the crop where it should be. This is lower. Next to her leg. Like I have said it can be reduced. All of it can be squished back into place, but after standing it all squishes back into the "bubble".

Is there such a thing as a chicken hernia?

 

[Damummis]

I know it is cheesy but I am bumping myself again. Kinda like fishing, throw it back out see if anyone bites.............

 

[threehorses]

If it's near her breast bone (keel bone, which does run between her legs) then it's blistered breast. It can happen in heavily bodied birds and is caused by bacterial invasion of the tissues. It happens in some birds that roost on their keel. You might want to try flat roost poles if youo're using round. It's common more in broiler houses (noting that broilers are heavy birds).

It can be palpated (felt) and feel just like a crop.

There's a bursa (air sac) there covered my a membrane that cushions the keel. Normally it's so insignificant that you can't feel it. If it gets a little light-trauma (the pressure from roosting, etc) it can get larger like this. And sometimes it will fill with fluid.

My bets are on that.

There's not any really clearly defined treatment for it that I've been able to find. I would just work on making sure the bedding is soft and the roosts are flat and wide.

 

[Damummis]

Did I mention that it is as big as a golf ball, maybe bigger.

By her right leg.

 

[Damummis]

I took a better pic (I hope).

The skin is so thin you can see the intestines.

 

[threehorses]

I'd definitely adjust all roosts to be very soft to that area. I would make sure the bedding was very deep and clean, dry. Because of the delicacy of the skin, I would always make sure that droppings, etc, are kept out of the places where your chicken will lay.

I would monitor the area for growth. Without being able to examine it in person, all we can do is make an educated guess. But mine is still "breast" blister (even though they aren't often on the breast).