CarolineN Posted August 19, 2010 Share Posted August 19, 2010 Hi. We just lost one of our hens to an undefined, but dramatic illness (I'm guessing it was cancer or septic peritonitis) and a few weeks ago, before she got really poorly, we noticed a large 'pimple' on her back at the base of her tail feathers. We didn't do anything about it, and in a few days it was gone. However, we have one remaining hen, and have just noticed the same kind of protrusion on her back, at the base of her tail feathers. I'm wondering if this was an early symptom that we missed, and if it was, what is it a symptom of and what can I do about it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted August 19, 2010 Share Posted August 19, 2010 Hi, sorry to hear that you lost a hen However the lump that you refer to is probably the preen gland. All chickens have a little warty growth at the base of their tail. They get oil from it to preen their feathers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted August 19, 2010 Share Posted August 19, 2010 This will be her preen gland. It is nothing to worry about. It gives people a shock the first time they see it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarolineN Posted August 20, 2010 Author Share Posted August 20, 2010 Thank you very much for your help and reassurance - we were in a bit of a panic over it after our first hen's dramatic and sad decline. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
