Large Abscess on my Bantam's Breast

[riversbendhen]

Concerned about this large abscess on our little bantam's breast/neck. Been watching it for a few days and it is rapidly growing. Found a couple of scabs underneath it. It is oblong and hard, Anyone have any advice? She acts fine but it can't be comfortable!

 

[AlleysChicks]

Are you positive it’s not her crop?

 

[Eggcessive]

It may be a breast blister which can form an abscess. They are common in birds who have been lying on the ground, especially if the bedding was damp or soiled, but it is also common in birds who are lame or have a rough roost. Many birds with bacterial arthritis or mycoplasma symnovitis have them. Check your roost for any sharp spots. Apply some betadine to it daily. Here is an article:
https://www.merckvetmanual.com/poul...ditions-of-poultry/breast-blisters-in-poultry

 

[junebuggena]

Looks like a full crop to me.

 

[Eggcessive]

Here is another link about breast blisters, which are on the keel bone:
http://www.poultrydvm.com/condition/breast-blister

 

[Eggcessive]

Breast blisters are scabs on the keel or breast bone.

Well, it could well be the crop if it is a full area on the chicken’s upper right chest. You can check your others’ chests. It becomes gradually full during the day, and empties by early morning. If not, there may be a crop problem such as impacted crop or sour crop.

 

[riversbendhen]

Are you positive it’s not her crop?

I'm not positive of anything! First year with a flock of five. What can I do if it is her crop? It's getting bigger.

 

[Eggcessive]

If the crop is hard or puffy, and not emptying overnight, you may need to look at a few articles about crop problems.

 

[riversbendhen]

Thanks for the initial responses. I'm not sure which it could be; a crop problem (it has been getting bigger over the past several days), or a breast blister. How can I determine which it is and treat it effectively?

 

[lazy gardener]

It looks like her crop. She could have a breast blister also. Check her crop at the end of the day, to see how it feels. Remove the feed at night, and then check her crop in the morning. It should be empty in the morning. Some birds just have a more pendulous crop than others do.