Ear Infection?

[Fwoof]

My Sebright Bantam has been scratching at her face a lot, and yawns occasionally, and I've heard that both of these symptoms can indicate an ear infection. I checked her ears and they both look normal, no mite eggs or canker (although one of her ears feels sticky with earwax. It's not dirty or matted, just a bit sticky.) I was considering putting hydrogen peroxide in her ears, how much should I do and how should I do it? Iodine is also an option.

I'm also starting to question my coop design. The perch in their coop is only about five inches above the floor, which has pine shavings as bedding. Could they be too close to the bedding? They've slept in this coop for two years without any problems.

I've been giving the hens in that coop cinnamon/oregano tea mixed with oats daily to help their respiratory systems.

 

[azygous]

If there's an ear infection, you would encounter a crusty buildup inside the ear opening. There might also be some swelling in front of the ear. Scratching the ear does indicated discomfort, but it might be itching rather than pain.

Use the peroxide to flush out the ear. Use an oral syringe and fill it with peroxide. Lay the chicken on her side so the ear opening is accessible. Gently fill the ear cavity, let work for a minute, then flip her over so the ear can drain. I would do it on a white towel so you can see if the solution has washed out anything from the ear.

If it doesn't appear there is anything in the ear, put a drop or two of mineral, coconut or olive oil in the ear to treat dryness that might be causing discomfort.

 

[Fwoof]

If there's an ear infection, you would encounter a crusty buildup inside the ear opening. There might also be some swelling in front of the ear. Scratching the ear does indicated discomfort, but it might be itching rather than pain.

I don't see any swelling. Just itching and yawning.

Use the peroxide to flush out the ear. Use an oral syringe and fill it with peroxide. Lay the chicken on her side so the ear opening is accessible. Gently fill the ear cavity, let work for a minute, then flip her over so the ear can drain. I would do it on a white towel so you can see if the solution has washed out anything from the ear.

If it doesn't appear there is anything in the ear, put a drop or two of mineral, coconut or olive oil in the ear to treat dryness that might be causing discomfort.

Will do! Thank you so much!

 

[Fwoof]

I don't see any swelling. Just itching and yawning.

Will do! Thank you so much!

@azygous
I did the treatment and it went well, but it definitely wasn't her favorite experience! Wasn't a fan of the feeling of crackling bubbling noises in her ears!
No gunk in her ears was visible, so I put some olive oil in her ears as well.
I only put two drops in each ear, but I used undiluted, thought that might work the best. Just wanted to make sure if I should have done diluted...

 

[azygous]

You did well. I used to have to have ear infection meds poured into my ears as a kid, and your hen is right not to find it enjoyable. But the olive oil should soothe the ears and she'll love you for it.

 

[Fwoof]

You did well. I used to have to have ear infection meds poured into my ears as a kid, and your hen is right not to find it enjoyable. But the olive oil should soothe the ears and she'll love you for it.

Okay, that's good to know!
She's still a bit uncomfortable, but I'll report back in a few days to tell you how she's doing and if I've seen any improvement.

 

[Fwoof]

I noticed this white stuff on the feathers covering her ears, almost like dry skin. I'm guessing it's discharge from any infection she might've had before.
Do you think doing another round of peroxide will be a good idea, or should I leave her ears be?
Also, should I do the hydrogen peroxide and the olive oil on the same day only minutes apart like last time? Or should I let the hydrogen peroxide do its job for a day and put the oil in the following day?
@azygous

 

[azygous]

Look into the ear holes. Do you see any crust? Or are they clean? If it's clean in there, disregard whatever you are seeing on the ear flaps as it could be food dust. A photo of what you're seeing would be helpful, as you could be describing ear lobes which on some breeds have a white coloring over the red tissue.

If the ear holes are crusted up, you need to clean them out as you did before.

 

[Fwoof]

Look into the ear holes. Do you see any crust? Or are they clean? If it's clean in there, disregard whatever you are seeing on the ear flaps as it could be food dust.

It doesn't look like dust from our chicken feed. It looks the most like dry skin to be honest.

A photo of what you're seeing would be helpful

It's pretty hard to see, but this is the best one I got.

as you could be describing ear lobes which on some breeds have a white coloring over the red tissue.

I am aware of the differently colored earlobes, and this white stuff isn't on the lobe itself, but mixed in with the feathers on her ear.

If the ear holes are crusted up, you need to clean them out as you did before.

I checked, all the crustiness seems to be on the outside. Inside looks fine.
Should I still do the treatment, or no? I might just clean the outside of her ears with a cotton ball and get as much of the crusty stuff as I can.

 

[beautifulchick]

Hi! How is your bantam today? he is still yawning and scratching his face? did he recovered whith this solution? I have a similar issue, can you shared it, please?