gavclojak Posted July 30, 2013 Share Posted July 30, 2013 Good evening I notices a small lump that I at first thought was a tick at the base if one of the girls tails, I have since discovered the same thing on all the girls when they are grooming, they seem to all give it a good clean, I assume its supposed to be there but do you guys know what it is? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
good_egg Posted July 30, 2013 Share Posted July 30, 2013 Sounds like their preen gland... It's got oil in and they cover their beaks then wipe through feathers.... This and the first dust bath freaked me out! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlottechicken Posted July 30, 2013 Share Posted July 30, 2013 It's a preen gland, nothing to worry about. I remember the panic when I first discovered one on my chickens, thought they had a growth! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gavclojak Posted July 30, 2013 Author Share Posted July 30, 2013 Oh thank you, my dummies guide to chicken didn't list this!! I was really worried it might be a tick at first. Thanks again, it's so reassuring having you guys help x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lavenders_Blue Posted July 31, 2013 Share Posted July 31, 2013 I think most people panic when they spot the preen gland for the first time Certainly it's not something I've read about anywhere other than on here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oneyolktoanother Posted July 31, 2013 Share Posted July 31, 2013 I remembered when i found the preen gland i was freaked and when i went and looked on here i was relieved i was thinking all things my family did laugh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gavclojak Posted July 31, 2013 Author Share Posted July 31, 2013 (edited) Preen gland is such a perfect description, that's exactly what they do, they kind of rub their beaks on it and.....preen! Edited July 31, 2013 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redsunset Posted July 31, 2013 Share Posted July 31, 2013 Blimey, the things I learn about on here I never knew existed!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gavclojak Posted July 31, 2013 Author Share Posted July 31, 2013 I know right?!! I have several chicken books and went on a chicken keeping course and also have a kindle' book anatomy of chickens and nowhere have I found anything about this gland except on here! Amazing.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hopingforchickens Posted August 1, 2013 Share Posted August 1, 2013 I panicked when I first saw that, I thought it was a maggot burrowing into her back! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oneyolktoanother Posted August 1, 2013 Share Posted August 1, 2013 I panicked when I first saw that, I thought it was a maggot burrowing into her back! Me too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hopingforchickens Posted August 1, 2013 Share Posted August 1, 2013 Me too I got my friend round and we tried to pull it out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gavclojak Posted August 1, 2013 Author Share Posted August 1, 2013 LOL....I was going to take a tick stick to it as I thought it was some kind of tick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lara and Frey Posted August 2, 2013 Share Posted August 2, 2013 I freaked out too. Wasn't sure if she had a growth, or some sort of weird feather follicle infection lol I thought maybe one of the other girls had pulled one of her feathers out and it was growing back with an infection. I was so relieved when I found out it was just a preen gland. The dust bath never freaked me out but I have seen both my mum's girls and wild birds dong that however the first couple of times I saw my girls sorting their crop out I freaked out thinking that they had gape worm. Thankfully someone on here put my mind at ease. Lol I guess we are all mammals so keeping mammals as pets most things they do seems normal to us birds however have different anatomy and habits and it takes a while to get familiar with what is normal and what isn't. Caecal poos also got me a bit concerned. I'd seen them in the run but never seen who had done them so not knowing what they were assumed they were all from the same hen and that she had a digestive problem or worms lol. I think with their habits you never feel more like a novice but quickly learn. I've had my girls just over 2 weeks now and have already had to deal with red mite, an egg bound girl and one who I swear had man flu (no signs of what was wrong as everything felt and looked right she just looked really really sorry for herself) who is better now. Lol I'm still no expert but have learnt ALOT in a short space of time. Welcome to a fun adventure lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
