Feather cysts (lumps) in canaries and finches

Cause: A feather growing inside the skin and forming a cyst; the predisposition is genetic (heavy feathering) · Type: Genetic

Other names: Feather cyst، Lump

Symptoms

• A yellow lump under the skin containing cheese-like material, usually on the back or wing

How it spreads

Genetic (long-term buff x buff pairing).

Diagnosis

Appearance.

Treatment

Surgical removal at the vet, and it often returns. Merck says the Norwich has a genetic predisposition that makes complete removal impractical. (All under veterinary supervision.)

Prevention

Pair intensive x buff, and keep affected birds out of breeding.

Season

After the molt

Treatment and doses are decided by an avian vet after an exam; Zajel does not publish doses.

Other diseases

• Lethal double crest gene
• Inbreeding depression
• Hereditary hearing impairment in the Malinois

Sources

• merckvetmanual.com
• KB (not web-verified this session): widely repeated aviculture/breeder consensus; treat with stated confidence