Ants swarming chickens head and neck !!

[Puddingtheamericana]

I usually only post when there’s a problem with my flock that I can’t figure out how to fix.
My younger brother noticed ants swarming our chicken’s head today. She was flopped over against the side of the coop and ants were swarming all over her feathers and neck and face. At first I thought she was dead but she was still very much alive, crying out every now and then. Her eyes were squeezed shut because of the ants crawling all over her face and cone. I brushed them all off with a cloth and pick her up- but when I placed her back down she promptly flopped over and clucked loudly.
I’ve inspected her face, cone, ears, eyes, beak, gobble, neck, and I see no wounds.
A quick google search gave me nada, does anyone know what’s happening? Can I fix it?

 

[Puddingtheamericana]

I usually only post when there’s a problem with my flock that I can’t figure out how to fix.
My younger brother noticed ants swarming our chicken’s head today. She was flopped over against the side of the coop and ants were swarming all over her feathers and neck and face. At first I thought she was dead but she was still very much alive, crying out every now and then. Her eyes were squeezed shut because of the ants crawling all over her face and cone. I brushed them all off with a cloth and pick her up- but when I placed her back down she promptly flopped over and clucked loudly.
I’ve inspected her face, cone, ears, eyes, beak, gobble, neck, and I see no wounds.
A quick google search gave me nada, does anyone know what’s happening? Can I fix it?

update: she’s not eggbounded, i’ve checked her vent and it felt very hot, her crop is soft, she’s gasping, no discoloration anywhere on her body, no lumps or bump, and she can move her legs and neck but not her wings (she cannot stand on her own)

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I usually only post when there’s a problem with my flock that I can’t figure out how to fix.
My younger brother noticed ants swarming our chicken’s head today. She was flopped over against the side of the coop and ants were swarming all over her feathers and neck and face. At first I thought she was dead but she was still very much alive, crying out every now and then. Her eyes were squeezed shut because of the ants crawling all over her face and cone. I brushed them all off with a cloth and pick her up- but when I placed her back down she promptly flopped over and clucked loudly.
I’ve inspected her face, cone, ears, eyes, beak, gobble, neck, and I see no wounds.
A quick google search gave me nada, does anyone know what’s happening? Can I fix it?

update: she’s not eggbounded, i’ve checked her vent and it felt very hot, her crop is soft, she’s gasping, no discoloration anywhere on her body, no lumps or bump, and she can move her legs and neck but not her wings (she cannot stand on her own)

Were you able to get all the ants off of her? The bite, so she may be in shock.

I'd move her to a cage or kennel. See if there's any more ants, check to see if any of her skin is swollen where the ants may have bitten her.

Will she take drops of sugar water? Mix 1tsp sugar into 1 cup water and give her a drop at time.

If you have photos of her they may be helpful. From your description is sounds like she's failing pretty fast and may not make it.

 

[SourRoses]

I've only seen ants hurt the chickens when they're already unwell and can't move away. Chicks in the process of hatching, a dying rooster, and a hen with neurological problems caused by a B vitamin issue.
The ants will come right back, they are vicious! So make sure you move your hen somewhere she's safe from them, and safe from her own floppy behaviors too. Something like a crate with shavings set up high on something hard for the ants to climb.
At the very least, she could have a more peaceful passing without those awful creatures hurting her more. At the best, she may recover. But keep in mind the bites, depending on the kind of ant, could have a combined toxic effect. We have a species of fireants here in FL that can do that to people if they get bitten enough.