black hard substance coating feathers around ears?

[nuchickontheblock]

One of my girls 2 days ago started to have a black hard substance coating the feathers around her ears. I don't see anything that looks like mites or other infestation. Any ideas??

 

[lilchick]

Could be where gnats or flies bite them and leave dried blood... We have the buffalo gnats here in Indiana and they bite like crazy on the chickens and turkeys.. And me! I spray a ball cap down with bug spray just to keep them away from my face!
I would gently wipe it off with baby wipes or damp cloth and keep a look out for pesky biting bugs! good luck.....

 

[sourland]

Sounds like dried blood from biting flies. A picture might help with identification of the problem.