11/9/21, 5:29 PM Feather follicle cyst in Chickens

Veterinary advice should be sought from your local veterinarian before applying any ×
treatment or vaccine. Not sure who to use? Look up veterinarians who specialize in poultry
using our directory listing. Find me a Vet (http://www.poultrydvm.com/poultry-vets.php)

Feather Follicle Cyst

Other Names: Feather Cyst
Feather follicle cysts appear as oval or elongated nodules, lumps or masses which contain an
accumulation of yellow-whitish material (known as keratin). They can develop as a result of an
infection, genetics, previous trauma or damage to the feather, or any condition that interferes
with normal feather growth. The silkie chicken breed has a genetic predisposition to developing
feather follicle cysts due to their unique feathering.

If damage occurs on just one side of the follicle, it can cause asymmetric feather growth, in
which it is not able to break through the skin. As a result, it will curl back within the follicle and
fill with keratin, instead of producing a feather.

Diagnosis
Feather follicle cysts can usually be diagnosed by your vet through clinical signs and the mass
appearance. However, additional diagnostics may be needed in some cases. A cytology of the
cyst in question usually contains erythrophagocytosis, erythrocytes, mixed-cell inflammation
with an increased amount of background debris, multinucleated giant cells and/or the presence
of feather fragments.

Treatment
The treatment for feather follicle cysts varies depending on the location, size, and impact on
the bird's comfort level. In some cases, no treatment may be necessary.
Clinical Signs
Oval or elongated lump or mass growing from feather follicle
Diagnosis Reported Cases Treatment
Name Summary

www.poultrydvm.com/condition/feather-follicle-cyst 1/4
11/9/21, 5:29 PM Feather follicle cyst in Chickens

Name Summary
No treatment
may be
necessary
Surgery Feather cysts may need to be drained or surgically removed. Cysts are
drained or aspirated by insertion of a needle or catheter into the cavity.

Support
Prevention
 ()Minimize risk of injuries or trauma
 ()Provide an appropriate area for chickens to dust bathe.

Scientific References
1R Axelson, DVM. Feather Cysts in Birds (https://nilesanimalhospital.com/pet-health-
resources/pet-health-articles/articles/?rid=954) Niles Animal Hospital and Bird Medical
Center (2017)
2Franco Mutinelli, Michela Corro', Salvatore Catania, and Erica Melchiotti . Multiple Feather
Follicle Cysts in a Moroseta Hen (Gallus Gallus)
(http://www.aaapjournals.info/doi/abs/10.1637/8153-101907-Case.1) Avian Diseases Vol.
52, No. 2, pp. 345-347. (2008)
3Thomas Bartels. Variations in the morphology, distribution, and arrangement of
feathers in domesticated birds (http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/jez.b.28/pdf)
Journal of Experimental Zoology Part B: Molecular and Developmental Evolution (2003)
4Greg J. HarrisonDVM, Dipl ABVP (Avian), Dipl ECAMS. Microsurgical procedure for
feather cyst removal in a citron-crested cockatoo (Cacatua sulphurea citrinocristata)
(http://www.bioone.org/doi/abs/10.1647/2002-010) Journal of Avian Medicine and Surgery
(2003)
5Wm Kirk SuedmeyerDVM, Dipl ACZM, Alex J. BermudezMS, DVM, William H. FalesPhD.
Treatment of Epidermal Cysts Associated With Aspergillus fumigatus and Alternaria
Species in a Silky Bantam Chicken (http://www.bioone.org/doi/abs/10.1647/1082-
6742%282002%29016[0133%3ATOECAW]2.0.CO%3B2) Journal of Avian Medicine and
Surgery (2002)

Risk Factors

The Silkie breed is genetically predisposed to feather follicle cysts

History of previous trauma
www.poultrydvm.com/condition/feather-follicle-cyst 2/4
11/9/21, 5:29 PM Feather follicle cyst in Chickens

Malnutrition
Ecotparasites (lice, mites)

Also Consider

Squamous cell carcinoma (/condition/squamous-cell-carcinoma)

PoultryDVM.com
About (http://www.poultryDVM.com/about.php)
Terms (http://www.poultryDVM.com/terms.php)
Amazon Associates Disclaimer (http://www.poultryDVM.com/disclaimer.php)
Contact us (http://www.poultryDVM.com/contact.php)
Popular Health Tools
Poultry Vets Directory (http://www.poultryDVM.com/poultry-vets.php)
Chicken Symptom Checker (http://www.poultryDVM.com/views/symptoms.php)
Poultry Predator Identifier (http://www.poultrydvm.com/predator-identifier.php)
Feeds Comparison Tool (http://www.poultrydvm.com/feeds.php)
Poultry Case Stories (http://www.poultryDVM.com/cases.php)
Infographics (http://www.poultrydvm.com/infographs.php)
Follow Us
 Twitter (https://www.twitter.com/poultrydvm)
 Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/poultrydvm)
 Pinterest (http://www.pinterest.com/poultrydvm)
 Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/chickendvm)
Switch Animal

www.poultrydvm.com/condition/feather-follicle-cyst 3/4
11/9/21, 5:29 PM Feather follicle cyst in Chickens

Horse (http://www.horseDVM.com)
Goat (http://www.goatDVM.com)
Cow (http://www.CowDVM.com)
Subscribe for Updates

email address

Subscribe

© AnimalDVM, LLC. 2021 All Rights Reserved.

www.poultrydvm.com/condition/feather-follicle-cyst 4/4