Hi - can someone please help me? My young hen has a huge swollen mass either near her ear or on her ear (see photo). It's been getting bigger over the last week. She's sitting on eggs so Id rather not take her to the vet if I can help it. Do you think I need to take her to the vet?
She needs antibiotics for an ear infection. Can you try cleaning her ear out with hydrogen peroxide (warmed) and cleaning with a Q-Tip. Then fill the ear canal with Neosporin ointment. If you can get some amoxicillin, clavamox, penicillin, or similar antibiotic to treat her with she should clear up okay. These infections are apparently painful. Here is a similar infection: https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/831156/really-nasty-ear-infection-in-a-silkie-hen-graphic-pics
As Eggcessive said, it looks like an ear infection. Penicillin would be a good antibiotic to use. For a normal five pound chicken, the dosage is 1/4 to 1/2 ccs. You inject it into the breast muscle usually, once daily for 5-7 days.
Thanks everyone for your advice. I ended up taking her to the vet who unfortunately said it was a tumor and nothing could be done about it. Sadly she passed away within the week!
