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Dove

 

This girl just came to us in an established flock of a dozen chickens.  Her prior owner reports she is a Black Jersey adult hen.  She's a large bird, at least 6-8 pounds. I'm not sure of "Dove's" age but believe she is an adult and I'm guessing she's probably at least 2 years old???

The prior owner reports this hen's had a "problem with her gizzard" and "she's never been quite right".  There is a clear growth/abscess/? on her breast that the prior owner states was at one time much higher up on her throat "near her gizzard". (Ignore the hay stuck to her, I was doing this one-handed.)

The prior owner also reports she's had this growth for a while (at least 3 seasons) but it started near her "gizzard" (I think she meant crop) and now is down on her breast area. She wondered if the hen had eaten something that is working it's way through her system??

 

It's hard to see, but it is clearly protruding from her body. It appears yellowish but that may be due to the color of the skin over it. The skin does not appear stretched but the mass is pretty solid. It is not seeping or fevered.  It doesn't seem to hurt her when I touch it (either that or she is VERY mild mannered).

You can also see she is missing many feathers on her crop/neck area as well as her breast. I suspected hen-pecking or molting?? I don't think she's laying right now.

I accepted her with the rest of the flock since they had already been with her for many months and I had no added risk (no other birds on the property). I also thought I might be able to help her if not at least give her less stress than leaving her behind to be all alone before being culled.

Update - at least one person thinks that this may be a breast blister and does not think it is anything to worry about. That is good news if it is correct! We will keep an eye on Dove's progress.

UPDATE! August 18, 2007 - New photos below:

<<<return to first fowl page - Dove - continue to next bird>>>

The flock & coop - Chatty Kathy - Dove - Goldielocks - Henny Penny - Jailbird - Jersey Girl - Layla - Molly Brown - Queen Bee - Rocky - Sugarcakes - Wanderlust

Graphics & content are property of Hoofin' It North, copyright 2000-2007, all rights reserved. Graphics & content may not be used, hotlinked, reprinted, nor reproduced without the owner's express, written consent.