Half of roosters face is white?! Please help

[Lhynes1478]

Here's what to look for:

View attachment 3887449
And it turns into this:

View attachment 3887451

They live in oak forests, "stretching in the United States from peninsular Florida to New England, and as far west as Texas and Kansas," according to Wikipedia.

I just looked and it doesn’t look like their range includes Alaska :/ thank you for the great idea though! I really appreciate it.

 

[Lhynes1478]

View attachment 3887454View attachment 3887455These are two different buck moth caterpillars. The lower one is covered with parasites. It was the caterpillar that killed my chicks. The top one is more recent. I'm getting better at seeing them and removing them before my chickens engage with them.

I just looked and it doesn’t look like their range includes Alaska :/ thank you for the great idea though! I really appreciate it. Sounds like a nasty thing to deal with!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

To me it looks like insect bite.

 

[Lhynes1478]

To me it looks like insect bite.

It’s been like this for over a week. Do you think it still could be? Thank you for your help

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I don't know, if it's been that long, it could be something else. Have you looked for an embedded tick?

Any infection inside the ear?

 

[Lhynes1478]

I don't know, if it's been that long, it could be something else. Have you looked for an embedded tick?

Any infection inside the ear?

We don’t have fleas or ticks here or many of the diseases in the lower 48 due to our cold year-round temps in Alaska. :/ I checked both ears and both look ok and not swollen. It’s just his lacking face color and droopy crest as of now. Thank you for you time trying to help solve this mystery.

 

[Lhynes1478]

@Wyorp Rock @azygous @Eggcessive pleas help!

Do you see any wounds around the crest? It almost looks like there is circulation is cut off. Can your bf hold him while you inspect every inch of his head?

We did a thorough search through every pin feather and there’s nothing we see. I can’t even really see much swelling in his head either; but I assume there must be some to leave his crest so lopsided. It’s remaining a mystery. Thank you for your help. Much appreciated.

 

[SmiYa0126]

What a conundrum! Is he eating well? Roosting?

 

[Lhynes1478]

What a conundrum! Is he eating well? Roosting?

Right! Yes, he is. I just let them out to free range and he came flying out and is happily crowing. Though he is still scratching a lot at that side of his face. I feel bad. I guess I’ll give it a little bit and then do a quality of life re-evaluation if I don’t get any answers. I don’t want him to be uncomfortable long term. Thank you for your help!

 

[SmiYa0126]

Right! Yes, he is. I just let them out to free range and he came flying out and is happily crowing. Though he is still scratching a lot at that side of his face. I feel bad. I guess I’ll give it a little bit and then do a quality of life re-evaluation if I don’t get any answers. I don’t want him to be uncomfortable long term. Thank you for your help!

If he's crowing he must be very happy! I would just monitor his eating, check his poops. You could also outline the white area with a pen to see if it gets bigger.