Describe A Normal Preen Gland & Its Contents

[msyfoopoo]

I have yet to find a description/picture of what a normal preen gland (uropygial gland) and nipple look like, or a detailed description of its contents.

Is the oil clear or opaque?

What is the oil color?

Does the nipple sit flush, or does the gland have a rise to it with the nipple off of that? (i.e. can you pinch the gland, or is it down in the body?)

When you run a finger across the gland's nipple is the oil dispersed? If so, how much? What is normal?

I have a hen with a dry nipple when I touch it. Should oil be dispersed? There is a rise below the nipple and when squeezed a tan opaque thick substance comes out. I have never seen her access her preen gland. I am wondering if I need to continue to squeeze the gland until clear liquid comes out, or if her condition is normal.

I'm thinking chicken preen glands are similar to anal glands in dogs. If swollen, they are impacted, and need to be squeezed until sack it cleared.

 

[Lady of McCamley]

You shouldn't need to do anything.

The gland produces a waxy substance, not clear oil.

It does sit upright, not flush with the skin. It sits on the surface (skyward side) of the tail towards the tip.

It won't fill wet to the touch. It is not like a dog's anal gland that you need to express.

LofMc

 

[Lady of McCamley]

Here's a photo from the Chicken Chick
(scroll down) http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2015/12/chicken-checkup-diy-physical-exam.html

 

[Lady of McCamley]

The only time of concern would be if it looked inflamed or had obvious big lumps in it.

LofMc

 

[msyfoopoo]

You shouldn't need to do anything.

The gland produces a waxy substance, not clear oil.

It does sit upright, not flush with the skin. It sits on the surface (skyward side) of the tail towards the tip.

It won't fill wet to the touch. It is not like a dog's anal gland that you need to express.

LofMc

Do you mean the gland or the nipple "sits on the surface".

 

[msyfoopoo]

Here's a photo from the Chicken Chick
(scroll down) http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2015/12/chicken-checkup-diy-physical-exam.html

In this picture I only see the nipple. I don't see the gland. On my chicken it is like a human boob: a bump, and then the nipple on top of that. Is that normal?

 

[msyfoopoo]

So, if you look at this picture, where does this gland fit into the body of the chicken? Does this whole thing sit a top the chicken? Or is only the duct/papilla/epidermis visible?

 

[Lady of McCamley]

I would need to see a photo of what you are talking about.

The Chicken Chick's photo shows a preen gland clearly. The whole appendage looking thing is the gland. There is a tiny hole at the top which allows the oil to come out.

There isn't a "nipple" so to speak. It might be inflamed, but it probably is just a bit red from your attempt to express it.

LofMc

 

[Lady of McCamley]

So, if you look at this picture, where does this gland fit into the body of the chicken? Does this whole thing sit a top the chicken? Or is only the duct/papilla/epidermis visible?

View attachment 1153987

Yup...that is a good diagram of a preen gland. The whole appendage is the gland.
LofMc

 

[Grace11]

Yup...that is a good diagram of a preen gland. The whole appendage is the gland.
LofMc

The gland is under the skin where the nipple is. All I've seen are just a smallish "lump" under the skin with the "nipple" part arising out of it. The gland is generally barely noticeable. When i have butchered a chicken, the "gland" seems to just be a fatty pad of very yellow fat.