Help! Hen with swollen purple wattles. Help!

[bantyhen]

Today, I noticed that my Golden Comet hen, Yolk has swollen purple wattles that feel hot. She is fine other than that. Eating and drinking are normal.

 

[Eggcessive]

Many things can cause this including fowl cholera, coryza, frostbite, but lately there have been several cases of possible tick bites that have been suspected of this. Ticks can cause swelling and bruising from release of an anticoagulant. If your hen is not showing other symptoms of illness, I would give her a half of a childrens' dose of Benadryl liquid or tablet just one time to see if the swelling goes down. It may take a couple of days. Could you post a picture of her now? If you suspect fowl cholera or coryza then it can be infectious to the other chickens. Sulmet or Sulfadimethoxine are used to treat those diseases, and the chicken should be separated.