wierd ballon like sack under wing

[irishlotfarms]

so my rhode island red hen has a wierd sack under her left wing it feels like what a crop would feel like if the chicken had sour crop, but it is not the crop! She acts fine im just wandering what it is!

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

It would be a good idea to take a picture of the bird and then the area in question so that we can see what you are seeing.

 

[Eggcessive]

Its possible that it is a leaking air sac, called subcutaneous emphysema or wind puff. If that is what it is, it should feel like air just under the skin, and it can be caused by an injury, and in older chickens, an infection. The air can sometimes re-absorb on it's own, but sometimes an 18 gauge needle inserted under the skin can be used to deflate it. Here is a good link to read about this if that is what's wrong: http://ijasvm.com/ijasvmadmin/upload/IJASVM_5113cbc51d31b.pdf

 

[irishlotfarms]

It would be a good idea to take a picture of the bird and then the area in question so that we can see what you are seeing.

sorry it is really hard to get a good pic I think I found what is wrong!

 

[irishlotfarms]

Its possible that it is a leaking air sac, called subcutaneous emphysema or wind puff. If that is what it is, it should feel like air just under the skin, and it can be caused by an injury, and in older chickens, an infection. The air can sometimes re-absorb on it's own, but sometimes an 18 gauge needle inserted under the skin can be used to deflate it. Here is a good link to read about this if that is what's wrong: http://ijasvm.com/ijasvmadmin/upload/IJASVM_5113cbc51d31b.pdf

where could I get the 18 gauge needle? would tractor supply have it?

 

[Eggcessive]

Yes farm stores sell needles and syringes, but you may need to ask a clerk to unlock them. The needles come in packs, and you may want to pick up a couple of different sized syringes in case you can use those to extract the air. Some use the needle only and press around on skin to deflate, while others have used syringes. I have never performed this, but here is a thread where some have: https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/171121/deflating-subcutaneous-emphysema
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/836819/omg-what-the-heck-is-this
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/828000/subcutaneous-emphysema-pictures-added

 

[Eggcessive]

I know this is an old thread, but I recently had to deflate a leaking air sac in a 2 week old chick, and since all I had was a 22 gauge needle, I found that it worked fine. The air was squeezed out after removing the needle from just under the skin. If no hypodermic needle is available, a sewing needle on the larger size, would probably work after sterilizing it. This may need to be repeated, and the puncture site should be coated with Neosporin or Bacitracin ointment, and held for several minutes to try to seal it. A vet would always be the best option if possible.