broni.jones Posted February 13, 2009 Share Posted February 13, 2009 hello, we replaced our dearly departed old school hens with some ex bats. My pupils love them & they are coming along very nicely. i have an ex battery hen with a lump on her back close to her tail. we only spotted this today. i think that it could be an infected/ingrowing new feather. any ideas? it is quite large. any ideas about how to treat this? i have never had this kind of problem before with my own hens. should i take her home, isolated over the half term holidays? she seems okay at the moment but i can tell it is painfull when i touch it. i am worried it could get worse & the other hens may peck at it. should i take her home so i can keep an eye on her? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
broni.jones Posted February 13, 2009 Author Share Posted February 13, 2009 sorry i should add that the hens don't get abandoned over the hols! we have a rota system of care over the holidays. i didn't want to leave someone else with a problem! i leave work at 4pm ish this afternoon. i will take her home if i don't get any better ideas. thanks for your time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
purple hen Posted February 13, 2009 Share Posted February 13, 2009 If it is at the bottom of the hens back near the tail, and it looks a bit like a dogs teat sticking up, it is probably the preen gland. This is difficult to find so you may not have noticed it in your other hens. I think there is a good photo of this on Clarets blog. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted February 13, 2009 Share Posted February 13, 2009 Definitely sounds like the preen gland to me. It can look quite alarming if you aren'y expecting it! Some are very small, but on others it can be quite large. **Pic here** Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted February 13, 2009 Share Posted February 13, 2009 Definitely sounds like the preen gland to me. It can look quite alarming if you aren'y expecting it! Some are very small, but on others it can be quite large. **Pic here** oh quite a shock! mine look different from that , much more plump, silly me just assumed they were all the same! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
broni.jones Posted February 13, 2009 Author Share Posted February 13, 2009 hi, yes it does look like the picture of a gland! it's large, about 1.5-2 cm long. i think that the area is sore because she is a little naked in that area & has alot of new feathers coming there. it is not red. thanks so much for your advise, i wil keep an eye on her. i don't feel so worried now! silly me! cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted February 13, 2009 Share Posted February 13, 2009 if it does get sore . sodocrem works a treat. and eas to get hold of! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
