Chicken face swollen

[Solanacae]

I have been on vacation for the past week and got home late last night. This morning, I was hanging out my flock to see how they were doing. One of them has a swollen, puffy face. It looks like the swelling impedes her vision because she has to cock her head to look at things before she pecks at them.

She is a 4 year old Dominique chicken. Her food has not changed, her behavior is otherwise normal. Her color is pale and her comb is shrunken compared to when she is laying. She was injured by a dog about two months ago but the skin and feathers are growing back fine and there is no sign of infection on her shoulder where the injury was. She has not laid any eggs since the injury.

What can I do to help her out?

 

[azygous]

Did you know that when posting photos you can select full size instead of thumbnail? It allows for much better detail.

It may be swelling from a respiratory illness, but it doesn't quite look like that to me. It might be face mites, similar to scaly leg mites. You would treat them the same as leg mites - use thick oil or Vaseline to smother them or treat the hen with Ivermectin.

If the hen develops weepy eyes and starts sneezing or coughing, then she has a respiratory disease.

 

[Susan Skylark]

Spider bite? Or other acute allergic reaction (Benedryl/diphenhydramin may help). Is it edema (fluid) or air (should feel crackly when touched). Air is either a ruptured air sac or gas producing bacteria. Edema could be allergic reaction, circulation issues, injury or infection, pus, or a dozen other things. Treatment and prognosis depend on cause.

 

[Solanacae]

Did you know that when posting photos you can select full size instead of thumbnail? It allows for much better detail.

I didn’t realize it was an option, I was uploading on my phone.