Postmortem help - Is this a cancer?

[mochalatte99]

Hey all, first time posting. I have a tiny flock, and today I found one of my tiny girls deceased. I'm pretty upset about it, but for the sake of the flock I want to know if her cause of death was viral or not.

For information: She was approx. 16 years old, and as far as I know, was an old english game bantam. The past few days I noticed she wasn't coming out of the nest box for food as quickly as the others, but she WAS still eating once she did get up. She was moving fine, eating a regular amount, and looked well.

When I found her, she was on her back with her wings spread out, eyes closed. (Flip-over?) On closer examination, I found these lumps around the wing area- Despite me having handled her recently, she hid them well.

My first thought is that, being older, they could be tumors- But the bloodied open one on the right makes me worry that one may have turned into an abscess. Does anyone recognise what's going on here? Thanks so much in advance.

Poor girl, I feel so awful for her, but at least I know she lived a long life.

*WARNING: GRAPHIC POSTMORTEM IMAGES OF INJURY*

 

[Eggcessive]

Sorry for your loss. Those could be ingrown feather cysts since those are common around the wings. But skin cancers are fairly common as well. I am amzed she lived to be that old. I had one OEG that lived until 11. If you lose a chicken in the future, you can always ask your state vet lab to do a necropsy, and they can examine tissue for cancers.

 

[mochalatte99]

Sorry for your loss. Those could be ingrown feather cysts since those are common around the wings. But skin cancers are fairly common as well. I am amzed she lived to be that old. I had one OEG that lived until 11. If you lose a chicken in the future, you can always ask your state vet lab to do a necropsy, and they can examine tissue for cancers.

Thank you so much- OEGs really are lovely little birds, I still have her sister and I'm hoping the loss isn't too hard on her. All of the flock are off the lay right now, but as of last, both were still active layers!

 

[Eggcessive]

You’re welcome. You may want to save the list below of state poultry vet labs where they can do a neceopsy. Make sure they know it is a backyard chicken which should cost less.
https://www.metzerfarms.com/poultry...7IOlHOhP-eD8qMtZ70RNq6BMO9kVUn3x6so7q0Z_JgEr8