Chicken ear has a feather impaction????

[Pennys Mama]

This is my chicken that survived a "dogs" attack. There was an injury to the left ear area that scabbed up & obviously scarred as it healed. I've noticed the area pooches out more now & thought the feathers surrounding the ear canal must be trapped inside. Upon much closer inspection last night there is NO opening for the ear on that side at all. My question is am I going to have to "reopen" up that area in order for it to heal correctly? If so how do I go about that? I can't afford a vet bill on this so I appreciate any input y'all can provide.
One of the photos is of when the injury occurred.

 

[Left Spur]

Seems fine, just left it be, even if he lost his left ear he still have his right.
Mine lost his right spur, it was too long then get tangled and break, he got limping for a while but he's fine right now.

 

[FortCluck]

Triple antibiotic on it because it definitely looks swollen. I would use tweezers to get out the feathers, but that's just me. I would be afraid of it getting an infection from the feathers being impacted.

 

[Pennys Mama]

Triple antibiotic on it because it definitely looks swollen. I would use tweezers to get out the feathers, but that's just me. I would be afraid of it getting an infection from the feathers being impacted.

I tried with the tweezers, there's no ear opening anymore on that side, it scarred over, that swollen area is the earlobe full of feathers or something. It squawked when I messed with it. I thought I could lance it to release whatever is impacted in that pocket. I would like to numb it though.

 

[FortCluck]

I tried with the tweezers, there's no ear opening anymore on that side, it scarred over, that swollen area is the earlobe full of feathers or something. It squawked when I messed with it. I thought I could lance it to release whatever is impacted in that pocket. I would like to numb it though.

Do you have any type of aloe vera with lidocaine?

You can probably buy some sort of numbing cream I would think at Walmart or somewhere like that.

 

[Pennys Mama]

Do you have any type of aloe vera with lidocaine?

You can probably buy some sort of numbing cream I would think at Walmart or somewhere like that.

Wonder if oragel would work?

 

[FortCluck]

Wonder if oragel would work?

Hmmm could work! Just make sure whatever you lance it with is sterile.

 

[21hens-incharge]

HANG ON!!

Pain meds in ointments are not recommended for chickens.

@Wyorp Rock @casportpony @azygous
Can you guys advise here please?

 

[FortCluck]

I know lidocaine works, we used it all the time when we'd work on the farm. I worked for a veterinarian as a vet tech. I was always brought to the farm jobs because it was a getaway for me.

 

[21hens-incharge]

I know lidocaine works, we used it all the time when we'd work on the farm. I worked for a veterinarian as a vet tech. I was always brought to the farm jobs because it was a getaway for me.

Good to know. I was unaware you were a vet tech.