Hard, Swollen ear lobe

[HopKat]

2 weeks ago my 26 week old hen developed a hard, knot on her ear lobe with 2 black holes that appear to be puncture wounds. It doesn't appear to be any better or worse. It is a little warm but not hot. She acts fine, eats and drinks

and enjoys being out with the other hens. It is early spring here so I guess a snake bite is possible but doubtful. She is in a group of 6 younger girls in a flock of 8 older. I've noticed several pecks on the other young hens combs so I'm thinking she may have peck wounds but I would have expected it to be better by now. Any suggestions?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

This is interesting.
It does look sort of like a bite. Perhaps some impaled it straight through on something sharp.

I really don't know if you should just leave it and see what happens since it's been 2wks and no better/worse or pick the scabs off and see if anything comes out.
I'm going to tag in @Eggcessive @coach723 and @azygous

 

[Chicken poppy]

Not sure whats wrong but i hope your hen recovers quickly.

 

[azygous]

I will guess venomous snake bite. Do you have rattle snakes around your place? Contrary to what most people think, most rattle snakes do not deliver a full dose of venom to creatures that are too large to swallow. This very lucky hen may have surprised a snake and it barely tapped her ear lobe to discourage her from messing with it.

It may be a type of rattler with a more gentle venom that only acts on tissue and not the general nervous system. Some rattlers have venom that both destroys tissue and hits the nervous system. Their victims often die.

 

[ChickNanny13]

No snakes here
Being me would be tempted to "drain" knowing I should leave it but then I'd probably leave & take to the Vet IF it got worst.

 

[Chicken poppy]

I will guess venomous snake bite. Do you have rattle snakes around your place? Contrary to what most people think, most rattle snakes do not deliver a full dose of venom to creatures that are too large to swallow. This very lucky hen may have surprised a snake and it barely tapped her ear lobe to discourage her from messing with it.

It may be a type of rattler with a more gentle venom that only acts on tissue and not the general nervous system. Some rattlers have venom that both destroys tissue and hits the nervous system. Their victims often die.

I’m no snake expert but don‘t the dots look closer together then it would be for a snake? Atleast for a Rattle snake? The ones i see have it farther gapped apart but maybe it just would depend.

 

[HopKat]

I’m no snake expert but don‘t the dots look closer together then it would be for a snake? Atleast for a Rattle snake? The ones i see have it farther gapped apart but maybe it just would depend.

We have copperhead snakes here in indiana and a few timber rattlers but it's really early in the season here. Idk..

 

[HopKat]

No snakes here
Being me would be tempted to "drain" knowing I should leave it but then I'd probably leave & take to the Vet IF it got worst.

I'm inclined to pick the scabs to see what comes out. I didn't know if that would open it up for infection. I could put some anti- bacterial spray on it. I expect you guys know more about chickens than I'm going to find at the local vet. You have guided me through everything so far.

 

[HopKat]

This is interesting.
It does look sort of like a bite. Perhaps some impaled it straight through on something sharp.

I really don't know if you should just leave it and see what happens since it's been 2wks and no better/worse or pick the scabs off and see if anything comes out.
I'm going to tag in @Eggcessive @coach723 and @azygous

I hadn't considered a sharp object going all the way through. I'm trying my my hardest not to "pick" it but that seems the next step. When I put my fingers around it the substance inside seems separated into a round mass, not connected to anything. I can move it around.

 

[HopKat]

Thanks for all your thoughts. I'll wait till later today and try to soften the scabs and see what happens. The things chickens get into!