Hen acting normally-- but weird growth above beak?

[honeybutterCB]

We've had our four hens for just over a month. All was going fine until two days ago, when my husband noticed that one of our chickens had something on its face. See the below picture.

She's eating normally, laying normally, acting normally. I read through our chicken book and did some searching online, and no disease or infection seems to match exactly. My best guess at the moment is dry fowl pox, but I thought I would consult the wisdom of this community. Any thoughts are appreciated.

 

[Pork Pie]

It looks to me more like a scratch or insect bite that has become infected.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

Is it coming from her nare(nostril) and swelling up into the comb flesh or does it appear to be based in the flesh where her comb meets beak? Can you catch her up and clean the area so you can see what is going on under there? I do agree it doesn't really look like pox, and does appear to be some form of infection -- which, left untreated can eat away at the face entirely, but knowing just what it is will determine how best to approach treatment - so cleaning the area up for a clear look is the first step

 

[honeybutterCB]

Thank you both so much for replying! I appreciate your thoughts.

We went out there just now to get better pictures and get a closer look. First, we tried to clean the area off in case some of it was mud or dried blood. However, nothing came off. The growth appears to start at the nostril and move upwards. I also noticed a small patch of brown on her wattle as well. I'm not sure if that was there previously, or if that's new today.

Please see the attached pictures. 1) infected side, 2) uninfected side, 3) front angle so you can see size of swelling.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

Hmmm, these photos do put a different slant on the area --- I'm going to tag someone in that might be better suited to take a look --- @casportpony