Help with sick chicks

[lcarson]

Help please ! We have one group of chicks that we have allowed the mother to rear naturally. They have swollen ears and sores. I assume the result of mosquito bites. They have been moved back indoors but what can I do to help them recover ? They are quite lethargic with one very poorly indeed. Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[Sydney65]

Does it look like this up close?
https://www.chickenwhisperermagazine.com/health-and-wellness/ear-canker

 

[TheOddOneOut]

Could be fowl pox.

 

[TheOddOneOut]

@Eggcessive @azygous @casportpony @Wyorp Rock

 

[Sydney65]

Thread 'gunky ears' https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/gunky-ears.630778/

 

[azygous]

If you have mosquitoes, it very well could be fowl pox. It can be deadly for little chicks. Unfortunately, there's no cure. It needs to run its course.

 

[lcarson]

Does it look like this up close?
https://www.chickenwhisperermagazine.com/health-and-wellness/ear-canker

Similar, but ours looks more of a dry scab on the swelling, not so much puss as in that picture.

 

[h2ocutiegirl]

Make sure to get Nutridrench for chickens. Also lots of electrolytes and vitamins. You can try Tylan 200 incase it's a respiratory issue. Their ears and eyes are all linked to respiratory. It's an amazing antibiotic. Also syringe feed raw egg yolk no whites for extra vitamins and nutrients they DESPERATELY need. From your own hens is best. I don't think it's pox. The peck marks are cause another hen may be trying to kill them. Unfortunately when a hen wants to be a mom and can't she will be jealous and try to kill them. Watch them closely and make sure they have lots of vitamins.

 

[lcarson]

Thank you everyone for your input and advice . We found a local government vet who has advised it is mosquito bites. We are to remove the scabs and apply benedine. Hopefully they will have a quick recovery.

 

[Eggcessive]

It looks more like fowl pox, the virus from mosquitoes on the ears and head, but the scabs on the legs may be injuries or peck wounds.