dottychicken Posted October 29, 2011 Share Posted October 29, 2011 (edited) Hi, Our ginger nut ranger Ella has got what seems to be a boil beneath her feathers - sort of between her neck and her back. It seems to be soft like it's full of fluid and is about the size of a 10p piece. She's also laid a couple of soft eggs over the last 4-5 days, and woke up with a full crop 2 days ago. I have noticed for a while that she has been losing a few feathers, but I assumed that she was just malting. Over than that her behaviour has been perfectly normal. I know this could be quite a serious problem, and would really appreciate any advice. Best Wishes, Jack Edited October 30, 2011 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted October 29, 2011 Share Posted October 29, 2011 Is it definitely nearer her neck than her tail? I only ask as many people have suddenly noticed the preen gland and panicked that it's something sinister. Can you take a picture of it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dottychicken Posted October 29, 2011 Author Share Posted October 29, 2011 Taking a picture might be difficult right now. It's definitely nearer her neck than her tail, and I've never noticed anything like this before. It just looks like an inflammation of the skin, doesn't seem to be discoloured or anything. Any ideas what it could be? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted October 29, 2011 Share Posted October 29, 2011 No idea, I'm afraid . Could it be a bite of some sort? Hopefully someone else will be more help than me! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dottychicken Posted October 30, 2011 Author Share Posted October 30, 2011 Hi again, I couldn't find the "boil" this morning, but on picking her up this afternoon it seems to have reappeared (see photo) I've also noticed that she is loosing the feathers on her undercarriage very quickly to the point where it is almost bald, she's also been losing feathers around her neck for few weeks which I assumed was a moult. I hope this makes it a bit clearer, could the two things be related? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dottychicken Posted October 31, 2011 Author Share Posted October 31, 2011 On examining her this morning I once again could not locate the "boil". Her feathers look pretty much the same as last night, however she is now noticeably not her normal self - standing quite still and only occasionally having a peck around for some food. I understand this is quite normal behaviour during a moult, although I do not have much experience with this process as this is my first chook to go through one. I am still quite concerned about this re-emerging boil though! Any advice would be much appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted October 31, 2011 Share Posted October 31, 2011 That's really strange . I have no idea what might be causing that. Do you have a chicken-friendly vet near you? Perhaps a search on some other chicken forums might shed some light? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dottychicken Posted October 31, 2011 Author Share Posted October 31, 2011 I examined her again this evening and again couldn't find it. Hoping that it was just a temporary thing related to the moult. Her behaviour also perked up from around mid-afternoon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam Posted October 31, 2011 Share Posted October 31, 2011 Is it definitely nearer her neck than her tail? I only ask as many people have suddenly noticed the preen gland and panicked that it's something sinister. Can you take a picture of it? Ah ha!! Just googled that and found a photo, I saw one of those on my girl but couldn't find it again and assumed I was seeing things!! I guess they are just normal? Sorry dottychicken can't help, hope she gets sorted soon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted November 1, 2011 Share Posted November 1, 2011 Looks more like a fluid-filled cyst than a boil If they keep occurring then I'd take her to the vet to check if there's any underlying cause, but if she's otherwise healthy I wouldn't bother. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
