[Terryheli]

We have 10 chickens as pets .One has started to grow a large lump just below its left eye.It now stands about 3/4 inch out.  The chicken seems happy enopugh but the lump appears to be growing fast. Any advice as we really don't want to kill the bird

[Foxy]

It is either an infection (an abcess or systemic infection) or an encapsulated cyst.
Does it look sore at all? Is the eye itself weeping or red? If you place the back of your hand on it does it feel hot compared to the other side? If the answer is yes to those questions it is likely to be an infection. How quickly has the lump developed/ a week or a few weeks??

A cyst will grow quickly and look/feel quite smooth with the bird in no discomfort or pain. Saying that with chickens it is quite hard to deduce if they are in any distress.

tbh a quick look by the vet will work it out, and then you can decide on treatment.

[Terryheli]

Thank you for the advice.The lump has been there for about a month.At one point it seemed to reduce in size but then started to grow again.The is completely closed with no discharge.The lump looks very red.The vet is not an option for us,last time we took a bird there we were charged £35 for his opinion which proved to be non committalI'm trying to get a message to the Mrs.so she can check on your other points. Thank you.