/ Register

  1. If this is your first time on BYC, we suggest you start with one of these three options:
    Raising Chickens Chicken Coops Join BYC
    If you're already a member of our community, click here to login & click here to learn what's new!

wierd bump, protrusion, ingrown feather... actually preening gland

Discussion in 'Emergencies / Diseases / Injuries and Cures' started by akawka, Dec 27, 2010.

Most Liked Posts
Page 1 of 3
  1. Dec 27, 2010 #1
    akawka

    akawka New Egg

    4
    2
    7
    Feb 19, 2010
    The Dalles Oregon
    This morning I learned something new about hens.

    Have you ever noticed a strange protrusion under her feathers, near the tail? It looks like an ingrown feather, or something. I didn't know what it was when I saw her poking herself this morning. It looked like a huge pimple on her back. I thought she had a tick or something, and she was scratching it with her beak....

    So I looked it up on Google and I learned that its an important part of her anatomy! This wierd alien finger sticking out of her back is her Preening Gland. DON't Cut it off! Don't treat it for impaction! I was looking on this forum this morning for information on an impacted feather, because I thought that's what it was. I hope this post helps others who think they have an ingrown feather.
    ! [​IMG]

    Chickens keep their feathers waterproof by preening. A chicken gets oil from a gland located at the base of its tail feathers. This gland is called the uropygial gland, or preen gland.

    The preen gland secretes an oily/waxy substance which the chicken spreads over its feathers with its beak. If you watch your chickens preening, you will see them periodically rub their beak on an area by the base of their tail to get more oil from their preen gland.
     
    Miss Ayame and ChickLizzie like this.
  3. Dec 27, 2010 #2
    Miss Lydia

    Miss Lydia Running over with Blessings Premium Member

    69,360
    5,112
    671
    Oct 3, 2009
    Western N.C.
    I'll have to look and see if my bantam frizzle has one. when she gets wet she looks like a drowned rat. poor thing! [​IMG]
     
  5. May 25, 2011 #3
    5Leepy!

    5Leepy! Chillin' With My Peeps

    225
    3
    93
    May 17, 2011
    Austin, TX
    Thank you so much for posting this... I was positive it was an ingrown feather. lolololol
     
  7. Jun 8, 2011 #4
    jinxschuh

    jinxschuh Chillin' With My Peeps

    116
    1
    89
    May 3, 2011
    Northern Utah
    WOW, who would've thunk such a thing... very interesting and good information. I would've freaked out if I had noticed something like that on one of my chickens. Now I won't have that rush of anxiety if I ever notice it... Thanks for sharing!!
     
  9. Sep 16, 2011 #5
    TheSpiceGirls

    TheSpiceGirls Chillin' With My Peeps

    2,568
    248
    231
    Oct 6, 2010
    Bay Area, CA
    I LOVE BYC!!!

    Then hens were free ranging last night and my JG reached around and began to nibble on this growth just above her tail. I was FREAKING out that something was wrong and even contemplated taking her to the vet. How embarrassing would that have been.

    That bump is definitely her preening gland and that makes perfect sense.

    Love this group.
     
  11. Dec 21, 2011 #6
    Atomic Ranch

    Atomic Ranch Chillin' With My Peeps

    389
    0
    109
    May 7, 2011
    El Cerrito, So Cal
    Ohhhh thank goodness. I saw this on my Ameraucana hen today and was like, [​IMG] Figured an ingrown hiney feather! Thank you!!!! [​IMG]
     
  13. Dec 21, 2011 #7
    Knock Kneed Hen

    Knock Kneed Hen California Dream'in Chickens

    4,154
    65
    278
    Feb 15, 2010
    So. Cal.
    Quote:My sentiments exactly! [​IMG]
     
  15. Dec 22, 2011 #8
    top of the hill

    top of the hill Chillin' With My Peeps

    280
    0
    99
    Jun 20, 2011
    Connecticut
    Quote:X2!
    really interesting stuff, thank you for sharing!
     
  17. Dec 22, 2011 #9
    nickie

    nickie Chillin' With My Peeps

    1,118
    25
    143
    Jun 25, 2011
    north central KY
    I remember the first time I noticed that on one of mine. I checked another bird for reference found it again and again so I quit worrying about it. Sorta figured if they all had it then it must be for something. I hadn't thought about that until I ran across the thread title. Good for you for thinking to post this to help out.
     
  19. Apr 10, 2012 #10
    rumblebug00

    rumblebug00 Out Of The Brooder

    12
    0
    24
    Feb 5, 2012
    I just noticed this gland on my 4 week old Australorp. I'm SO thankful for this post! Saved my bacon...I was about to freak out! Thank you for sharing the information. :)
     
Page 1 of 3

BackYard Chickens is proudly sponsored by