Hen’s Ear Lobe Very Swollen- Not Sensitive, Slightly Warm

[Eggcessive]

Is that a red area above the ear in the first picture? I cannot see it in the other pictures. I wonder if she could have been stung by a tick? Those can cause swelling and bluish discoloring. The little spot on the ear could be a sting mark of a tick or a bee.

 

[MyFlockIsMyLife]

Omg we have a hive pretty close to the coop….. The red area you noticed in the first pic is her feathers. She’s got some little areas above her ears w reddish-orange feathering.

 

[Eggcessive]

If she is eating/drinking and active, then I would watch for the swelling to go down. Hopefully, it is just a bee sting.

 

[MyFlockIsMyLife]

Thank you all so much for the advice and guidance! I love all my girls and the General very much so I was worried. Yes, I’m hoping it is just a bee sting as well. Based off the information I’ve been able to learn and gather from this site, plus the proximity of our hive to our coop, that seems the most probable reason. I will definitely be monitoring her and the rest of the flock, tho, just to be sure alls well. God bless you all, seriously. I was pretty well stressed and anxious over this.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Looks like a bite or puncture to me.
I'd see if it starts to heal on its own.

 

[MyFlockIsMyLife]

Okay, so, the swollen ear lobe as of yesterday seems to have gotten a bit less swollen as the top part of the sac isn’t as rounded and more wrinkled like BUT I felt the part that was still swollen and it felt more firm than it did the day before. Should I still just monitor over next few days for it continuing to go down, & if by tomorrow or the next day it’s getting worse and not better, do I then try some VetRX or some kind of antibiotic? I’ll try to get a current pic sent to me- unfortunately I’m at work all day today.

 

[alinas2010]

Okay, so, the swollen ear lobe as of yesterday seems to have gotten a bit less swollen as the top part of the sac isn’t as rounded and more wrinkled like BUT I felt the part that was still swollen and it felt more firm than it did the day before. Should I still just monitor over next few days for it continuing to go down, & if by tomorrow or the next day it’s getting worse and not better, do I then try some VetRX or some kind of antibiotic? I’ll try to get a current pic sent to me- unfortunately I’m at work all day today.

I would keep monitoring if she were my chicken. Insect stings can take a week or more to subside and sometimes look worse before they’re better - in humans at least. I imagine it’s similar for animals. VetRX probably won’t help, it’s more like Vicks vapor rub would be to us, but maybe some ointment like neosporin around the sting entry wouldn’t hurt. Make sure it isn’t the kind with pain relief in it, though.

ETA: I’ve seen where people give their chickens children’s Benadryl for stings, but I could not tell you the dose or if it’s a good idea in this case. Someone with a lot more knowledge than me will hopefully see your update and reply with more helpful advice.

 

[trottreacle]

Oh my goodness this has happened to my hen and I am seeking info. I've been researching all day but the one thing my girl has is that same puncture hole like yours. Did yours go down eventually? What did you do that helped?

 

[alinas2010]

Oh my goodness this has happened to my hen and I am seeking info. I've been researching all day but the one thing my girl has is that same puncture hole like yours. Did yours go down eventually? What did you do that helped?

Hi and welcome to BYC! Sorry to hear about your chicken. Not sure if you’ll get a response from the original poster, they haven’t been seen since July. You may have better luck getting some help from others who have been through similar experiences if you can post a new thread of your own in the emergencies/diseases/injuries and cures section. Be sure to include some pictures if you can.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forums/emergencies-diseases-injuries-and-cures.10/

Is she having any trouble breathing or acting funny otherwise?

 

[trottreacle]

Hi and welcome to BYC! Sorry to hear about your chicken. Not sure if you’ll get a response from the original poster, they haven’t been seen since July. You may have better luck getting some help from others who have been through similar experiences if you can post a new thread of your own in the emergencies/diseases/injuries and cures section. Be sure to include some pictures if you can.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forums/emergencies-diseases-injuries-and-cures.10/

Is she having any trouble breathing or acting funny otherwise?

Thank you, I have reposted my own post but since you asked me some questions here I will reply.

Other than the swollen lobe she is fine. Eating, drinking all normal. Just a very swollen ear lobe bless her. What I was confused about was the puncture wound and in the day looking for something similar this post was basically a match with that puncture wound.

Really hoping if it is a sting of some sort it'll go down on it's own. I recently lost my favourite hen to a mystery illness that took her out in a day and I'm not ready to lose another.