Ear mites? Ear infection? Wry neck? Or something else?

[EsqChick]

Hi all! My 3 week old chick had a really bad night. I found her screeching in her brooder, writhing, scratching at her head and raw/bloody on both side of her head. She had a similar issue within days of me getting her and based on advice here I gave her electrolytes and polyvisol. She was fine days later and no issue until tonight. I quickly went to the FB page and based on advice there I gave her vitamin E, polyvisol, cleaned her wounds with diluted hydrogen peroxide/aloe Vera, put neosporin (non-pain relief) on her wounds and tiny bandaids on her claws. She’s separated from her sisters in a makeshift brooder in my living room.

Now I’m wondering...is this ear mites? I don’t see any evidence, but the way she scratches was just too much. If it is ear mites, what can I give her to get rid of them (and presumably I’d have to treat her sisters)?

Or is this an ear infection? If so, do I have to get a prescription or is there OTC or home remedies?

Or is this wet neck? Should I continue with the vitamin E?

Or is it something else all together?

Lastly, should I use blue kote on the sounds so she can rejoin her sisters? She cried herself to sleep tonight screeching and looking for them!

 

[ChickNanny13]

I wouldn't put her back with her sisters, if she does have ear mites, they'd get it. Put a cuddly stuff animal or mirror (reflection = another chick) with her. No clue what the problem could be at this point, will ask others that have more experience ...

@Wyorp Rock @WVduckchick @casportpony @azygous

 

[Skipper81]

http://www.fresheggsdaily.com/2013/02/mites-how-to-prevent-them-and-treat.html?m=1
Here's a link on mites and it has a remedy of garlic solution that I would try.

 

[getaclue]

After giving the vitamin e, and polyvisol, is your chick still screaming and scratching as much? If that has taken care of the problem, then keep the chick on it for awhile. If it continues screeching, and trying to scratch (not screeching to get back with the others), and you suspect it is mites, you may want to try rubbing a little olive oil around the area, and possibly a drop in the ear. The oil will coat, and smother mites.

 

[azygous]

The behavior is that of a chick in a great deal of discomfort, if not pain. The big clue is the frantic scratching at the body part that is causing it.

Mites on a new chick is a long shot, unless you got these chicks from a chicken "meet" or a private breeder. But it won't hurt to treat for it.

Chicks can be safely treated with permethrin poultry dusting powder or spinosad. First, examine the chick carefully for signs of mite infestation. You should be able to see the tiny bugs around the vent if they're there.

To treat the ears, you can put one drop of mineral oil or coconut oil in each ear. This should take care of ear mites if they're there, and if it's just itchy ear, it will soothe it.

Chicks do much better when left with their peers. Put Blu-kote on the wounds and return it to the brooder. Whatever the chick has, if it's transmissible, the others likely have, too.

Continue the vitamin E 400iu and Poly-vi-sol until all symptoms are gone.

 

[Eggcessive]

Can you examine the skin all over for lice or mites and use a magnifying glass. If she has something in her ear, you may be able to use a QTip to see if you get any gunk out of it. Oil or neosporin ointment would smother any mites until you get some ear mite drops. Chicks tend to shake their heads and scratch normally, possibly from growing in feathers. I would just investigate all possibilities to see what is bothering her.

 

[WVduckchick]

Also don't rule out the possibility of a neurological issue. What do you know about the parents?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Can you post some photos or a video of her?

 

[EsqChick]

After giving the vitamin e, and polyvisol, is your chick still screaming and scratching as much? If that has taken care of the problem, then keep the chick on it for awhile. If it continues screeching, and trying to scratch (not screeching to get back with the others), and you suspect it is mites, you may want to try rubbing a little olive oil around the area, and possibly a drop in the ear. The oil will coat, and smother mites.

No, she’s been fine since the vitamins last night. I’m probably going to still try the olive oil thing just in case.

 

[EsqChick]

The behavior is that of a chick in a great deal of discomfort, if not pain. The big clue is the frantic scratching at the body part that is causing it.

Mites on a new chick is a long shot, unless you got these chicks from a chicken "meet" or a private breeder. But it won't hurt to treat for it.

Chicks can be safely treated with permethrin poultry dusting powder or spinosad. First, examine the chick carefully for signs of mite infestation. You should be able to see the tiny bugs around the vent if they're there.

To treat the ears, you can put one drop of mineral oil or coconut oil in each ear. This should take care of ear mites if they're there, and if it's just itchy ear, it will soothe it.

Chicks do much better when left with their peers. Put Blu-kote on the wounds and return it to the brooder. Whatever the chick has, if it's transmissible, the others likely have, too.

Continue the vitamin E 400iu and Poly-vi-sol until all symptoms are gone.

Thanks! I got her from a local feed store and I’m assuming she came from a mail order hatchery. I don’t think it’s mites because I don’t see any on her (or the other chicks), but it’s the scratching near the ears that makes me suspect something like that. I’ll keep an eye on her and treat with blu kote then ger her back to her sisters!