5 month old Cockerel with very Large lump near jaw / upper neck

[RowanTheRed]

I need help identifying this lump of at all possible.

I recently noticed my young cockerel looking very lopsided around his head. His head sits off to his left side and the feathers on his right side were all puffed up. Initially I thought it was his crop because I noticed it in the evening. However that was a week ago and it's not getting any smaller. This morning when I let them all out of the coop, it was still there and maybe larger than it was a few days ago.

Tonight he came up to me so I was able to pick him up to inspect it. It's DEFINITELY NOT his crop. It's a round lump that it nearly the size of a golf ball. It's under his hackle feathers on his right side, about halfway down his neck.

It's firm, but not rock hard. He didn't seem bothered by me examining it, even when I gently squeezed it. It's not warm or hot to the touch, so I don't think it is infected. But it reminds me of an ingrown hair follicle only much bigger. The skin isnt red, but it's scabby in area and sort of abraded in other areas. There are visable veins over the lump, however they are not engorged.

I cleaned the skin with CHG and used a sterile needle to gently puncture the skin around the scabbed area. It just bled, not pus or serous fluid.

It really looks like an abcess, but again there is no inflammation or tenderness to it.

He's beed eating and pooping as usual. He is low man on the totem pole so other than his sister he's generally by himself.

I took some photos, or at least attempted to take some. He was very cooperative with the whole thing. Just seemed to enjoy being cuddled.

 

[MysteryChicken]

Can you get a picture of the whole bird, showing side, view so we can see if it's actually the crop, or not?

 

[RowanTheRed]

Can you get a picture of the whole bird, showing side, view so we can see if it's actually the crop, or not?

Not tonight, it's too dark now.

however, this most definitely is not the crop. It's much higher and on the very lateral side of the neck rather than midway between the center beast and lateral side

I will get some photos as soon as I can, but it most likely won't be until Tuesday.

 

[RowanTheRed]

Update on the lump....

Since I posted this on Sunday, the lump has grown significantly. It's now larger than a golf ball. The cockerel is still eating well, poop appears normal. Other than the massive lump you wouldn't think anything was wrong with him.

After much research I'm thinking this is a feather follicle cyst. Being very young his hackle feathers started coming in about a month ago. It's about midway up his neck so I'm guessing there is at least one hackle feather curled up in there!

Here are some other photos.

 

[MysteryChicken]

Update on the lump....

Since I posted this on Sunday, the lump has grown significantly. It's now larger than a golf ball. The cockerel is still eating well, poop appears normal. Other than the massive lump you wouldn't think anything was wrong with him.

After much research I'm thinking this is a feather follicle cyst. Being very young his hackle feathers started coming in about a month ago. It's about midway up his neck so I'm guessing there is at least one hackle feather curled up in there!

Here are some other photos.

I don't think a Cyst would grow that big that rapidly. Could be a tumor.

@Eggcessive
@Wyorp Rock
@azygous
@dawg53

Your thoughts?

 

[RowanTheRed]

More photos.

 

[MysteryChicken]

More photos. View attachment 2907419View attachment 2907422View attachment 2907424View attachment 2907425View attachment 2907426

I'd wait for the experts opinions.

 

[azygous]

Tumors are generally rock hard. He may have what we humans call a "boil", an infected follicle likely. It's sometimes caused by staph bacteria. I'm inclined to treat it as a boil with hot compresses to draw the bacteria out. Heat a wet cloth in the microwave and when it cools enough to where it won't burn the skin, apply it to the lump until the cloth cools. Do this as often as you have time for.

Good thing he enjoys cuddles. This could be easy if he does.

This should reduce the swelling and make the infection more apparent so you might recognize it and be able to figure out what it is.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

After much research I'm thinking this is a feather follicle cyst. Being very young his hackle feathers started coming in about a month ago. It's about midway up his neck so I'm guessing there is at least one hackle feather curled up in there!

Tumors are generally rock hard. He may have what we humans call a "boil", an infected follicle likely.

Agreed.

He is a cute little fella! Cockerels can be very sweet and do seem to like cuddles.

I hope you are able to resolve this, please keep us posted.

 

[Banana01]

Its an infected follicle and you have to drain the liquid. Vets will either squeeze it to get all the liquid out, or even use specialized needles and insert tubes to keep the liquid draining in mammal surgeries. They would also start an oral or injected antibiotic but most likely keeping the wound dry.

I never had to pull an infected follicle on a chicken, but i would probably pull the infected one out with tweezers if i hasnt already come out. Since you dont know how deep is the infection, you have to get the liquid material out squeezing it until you are satisfied it is clean and not necrotic below. I watched a video of this procedure on dogs and racoons but on a chicken it still is the same procedure.

Probably just as important as getting the infection cleaned out is giving her an antibiotic. It should be a fairly easy procedure, even as azygous said above, it can be done with warm towels. But vets are more direct and just squeeze and even make a minor surgery out of it to clean it.

Then you have to isolate her to keep from scratching maybe, but hopefully the infection will stop once you clean it and will look better in a day.