Ear mites

[cmom]

The other day my neighbor called to tell me something was wrong with one of her roosters. I went over to look at him and he has a massive ear mite problem. I tried to help her dig the ear mite debris out of his ears but they are so impacted and very hard crusted. I put some ear mite lotion on his ears to try to soften the debris but it is still as hard as a brick. I used some tweezers like these to pick at it,


but got very little of it out. Any suggestions on what I might use to soften it? I'm afraid if I pick at it any more without softening it more I might hurt him. She has let this go way too far. His head now looks more like a basketball shape, twice as wide as it should be. I gave her the cock several years ago when he was a youngster. She is very attached to him but really let the mites get out of control. I am trying to help her.

Any ideas!!!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I think that may be the wrong photo?

Only thing I can think of is a couple of drops of "sweet oil" in the ears to help soften and smother the mites.
You could try some diluted hydrogen peroxide once or twice, but not more than that.
I know that some people use coconut oil to soften the mite/lice nits on the quills of feathers, so if you have that you could try.
Once you get them cleaned out a bit, you may want to treat him completely, since I would think he may have more elsewhere.
Just my thoughts.

Found one that is very interesting, @dawg53 has some great suggestions.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/630778/gunky-ears


General lice/mites treatment.
http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2012/08/poultry-lice-and-mites-identification.html

 

[cmom]

I think that may be the wrong photo?

Only thing I can think of is a couple of drops of "sweet oil" in the ears to help soften and smother the mites.
You could try some diluted hydrogen peroxide once or twice, but not more than that.
I know that some people use coconut oil to soften the mite/lice nits on the quills of feathers, so if you have that you could try.
Once you get them cleaned out a bit, you may want to treat him completely, since I would think he may have more elsewhere.
Just my thoughts.

Found one that is very interesting, @dawg53 has some great suggestions.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/630778/gunky-ears


General lice/mites treatment.
http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2012/08/poultry-lice-and-mites-identification.html

Thanks. The photo was to show the tweezers I am using. Nothing about the egg. I have never had this with my birds, I am just trying to help a neighbor and friend.

Thanks again, I'm open to suggestions, I have been researching it online too and had seen this website. I just have never seen it so bad before. The ears on this bird are almost as large as a quarter. I wish my neighbor had called me before it got so bad.

General lice/mites treatment.
http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2012/08/poultry-lice-and-mites-identification.html