[atwickwitch]

hi everyone, how do i treat an ingrowing tail feather on one of my ladies, she has been pecking at it today. thankyou j

[Aunt Sally]

Are you sure it's not her preen gland ?

[atwickwitch]

thankyou for that, i dont know, i have never noticed it before, it was just today she seemed to be pecking at it. i have had her over two years and thought i would of seen it before but maybe not.. i shall go and google it and see what it looks like. thankyou for your answer. xjane

[atwickwitch]

me again, nope it doesnt look like any of the preen gland pictures on google. its really hard to explain but i shall try
it look like a feather shaft and it is red then at the end it is white almost like a head on a boil. it is hard but not hot. does that make any sense.
i did squeeze it slightly because it looked as if there was gunk in it but nothing came out. shall i just keep an eye on it and leave it alone. shes eating and drinking ok so thats good
two years ive kept chickens and never once had a problem now since one of them died and i bought two more i've had nothing but stress :}

[Helenaj]

Have a look at the area at the back of the hen just above the tail - a preen gland can look like a short feather shaft. If there is no other "shaft" there, what you are seeing is probably the preen gland. Squeezing it will produce liquid as it is the oils the hen produces to keep her feathers in good shape. Have a look at the attached link which shows you what  the gland looks like - http://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=433513

[atwickwitch]

yep im officially ignorant.
i checked another hen (much to her disgust ) and shes got exactly the same thing, just not as big. i wont be squeezing that again!!
thanks so much for your help, another lesson in the life of a chicken learned.
by the way, my two older chickens seem to of perked up abit in the last day, they must of finally got over loosing their friend and got used to the new ones (although they do still try and eat the young ones if they go near their favourite spots in the garden.
im getting three more soon so am looking forward to the fighting, sulking and bad moods:]
at least i will know this time what to expect. bright blessings to all. xjane