Swollen Half Faces (picture included)

Hello,
A few of my hens have swollen faces on only one side of their head. It started with one hen and now three more have it. Can anyone tell what this might be? I posted a picture below. I have had chickens for many years and have never seen this before.
Thanks!

It's hard to tell, are there bubbles in the eyes?
Any coughing, sneezing, wheezing?
Since it is spreading, you may want to separate them from any others that are not showing symptoms at this time. Respiratory illnesses can spread through mucous/discharge, dust, dander among other things.

It could be a respiratory illness like Mycoplasma Gallisepticum (MG).
You can flush the eyes with saline and apply some Vetericyn eye gel or Terramycin eye ointment a couple of times a days to help with any secondary infection in the eyes.

You can also treat with antibiotics like Tylan Soluble Powder or Oxytetracycline. Keep in mind that antibiotics may help with relief/support care and help with secondary infections, but once recovered, birds still remain carriers for life.

"Tylan is 1 tsp per gallon of water for 3-5 days. The oxytetracycline dosage can vary with the brand, so just search for the dosage if you chose that."
(reference post#2 https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/1086681/is-this-the-flu-or-a-serious-disease)

Here is a list of common respiratory illnesses (symptoms chart is at the bottom of the link page)
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ps044

MG info:
http://www.thepoultrysite.com/disea...tion-mg-chronic-respiratory-disease-chickens/

They don't have bubbles in the eyes and no coughing, wheezing or anything like that. Acting completely normal other than some facial swelling. I always check them over for all possible symptoms. That is why I posted here to see what it may be. I had never come across just facial swelling with no other issues.

My one hen's is much worse this morning, but came running out of the coop to begin her day like nothing is wrong. I will separate her and the others for now. I will look into some meds.
Thanks!

When you say she is much worse, do you mean the facing swelling?

Yes, her face is much more swollen this morning. No bubbles or discharge in the eyes though. I am going to check them over thoroughly for mites later today.

I was investigating external things that could be causing this. There is a nice sized patch of stinging nettle in one of my girls favorite bug hunting areas. Do you think that the nettle could be causing it?

Lady Dre said:

Yes, her face is much more swollen this morning. No bubbles or discharge in the eyes though. I am going to check them over thoroughly for mites later today.

I was investigating external things that could be causing this. There is a nice sized patch of stinging nettle in one of my girls favorite bug hunting areas. Do you think that the nettle could be causing it?

Click to expand...

I don't think that would be it, always possible though. Chickens love stinging nettle and generally are not bothered by it, even though we are.
I understand your logic though - with no other symptoms, looking at their surroundings is a great idea , have you dusted them recently or added any dirt, etc. to the run?

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/352544/stinging-nettles

All my girls are free range so they have the access to basically everywhere. They spend very little time in their run, but I haven't added any dirt for a long time. I treated most of my girls with Poultry Protector several weeks ago. The bathing areas are under two huge pine trees, I don't mess with the dirt in those areas. They have them the way they want them. So there is really nothing out of the ordinary. I will just keep monitoring the quarantined girls and see what happens. I will also keep a close eye on the rest of the girls to make sure it doesn't continue to spread.

Mine like their dust bathing area(s) just so too.

It's a puzzle. Watch the ones with swollen eyes for discharge, pus, etc.
It's best to separate, so you are doing the right thing. Hopefully it will be isolated to the three and not continue spreading.

I wish you well. Please keep us updated.