[Tractorfarmer1902]

Ive been going through this chat because at first the title of the post caught my attention, and while I do agree that at some point you should get the bird checked out by a vet, I have to disagree with some other points. I sympathize with you (Farmboss64) while I, myself live in a secluded area and the vet doesn't know much about anything other than larger animals like cows. this can be very frustrating and I find it is exceptionally hard to find vets that specialize in certain species in rural areas. my operation does many of the same things as well, if there is a sick animal, we look up possible causes and treatments online and treat them ourselves unless the situation is dire. Many of these responses I have seen are quick to accuse this account of abusing animals or not caring etc. when it could 100% not be true!! Lets not forget this world is cruel and there are far worse people doing far worse things. Every farmer that has livestock obviously has their animal's welfare in mind and care about their animals. it is unfortunate that on a forum like this where we smallholders are supposed to be offering guidance to others but instead are accusing and saying some rather nasty things to each other  Keep us posted on the little lady! how is she doing? is the mass getting bigger or smaller? An idea may be to talk to the vet on the phone instead of bringing her in, saves money and you get pretty much the same kind of treatment. Make sure to describe everything about it to them, if it is squishy, hard, if she is doing anything out of the ordinary. Keep an eye on the others in the flock as well!

[landroverroy]

I agree that it's often helpful to ask on a forum and see if anyone else has had the same experience. But having hit a blank there is the whole of the knowledge of the internet available if you feel that consulting your vet is a waste of time. It would seem of little help to the hen just giving up because your vet is of little use with poultry.
I googled "large black growth on hen's face" and found the picture below on "Back yard poultry"
Looks very similar to your's. The suggestion is that the growth is a canker and treatment with Metronidazole might help. I believe you can get it from pet shops, as a treatment for fish infections, under the name of fish zole. Available, apparently without prescription, as your vet won't prescribe it anyway without seeing the bird, and that would cost more than the bird's worth.

[Farmboss64]

I have options of what it could be but for everyone saying that the salt water won’t do anything and you should bring it to your vet well the salt water actually does work it is getting smaller and looks like it might be coming loose

[Tractorfarmer1902]

Wow! that is wonderful! Amazing how something as simple as salt water has helped.

[landroverroy]

I don't recall saying that salt water wouldn't work, or that you should take the bird to the vet. 


I just relayed some relevant info that I found on the internet. (You're welcome.)


However I agree there's definitely a considerable improvement.

[Farmboss64]

I was more so talking to the other ones that said it wouldn’t do anything for the chicken and I should just take her to the vet only

[Farmboss64]

Update on the chicken it has gotten much smaller and parts of it have fallen off

[Q]

Update on the chicken it has gotten much smaller and parts of it have fallen off

This happened to me as I got older too!   

[landroverroy]

Update on the chicken it has gotten much smaller and parts of it have fallen off

This happened to me as I got older too!