hen shaking head constantly

[micstrachan]

I think I see pin feathers on her head. Is she molting? Or did she recently? Maybe the pin feathers are itchy.

 

[Enchanted1s]

Maybe a dumb question - and I don't mean to hijack your post - but how do you check a chicken's ears? Where are their ears? So much to learn!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Maybe a dumb question - and I don't mean to hijack your post - but how do you check a chicken's ears? Where are their ears? So much to learn!

Great question! There is always something to learn about chickens

O.k. I found this photo from fresh eggs daily. Lets look at it.
See the arrow pointing to "ear" there is a little tuft of feathers there, if you gently move those aside (it's almost like a little flap), there is a small "hole" that's what I would call the ear canal I suppose. Chickens have an inner, outer and middle ear so they can get infections or get dirt/debris or even ear mites.

Then of course they have an earlobe! Sometime this can swell up when they have an ear or respiratory infection.

Earlobes can also be an indicator of the color of eggs a hen will lay, MOST of the time, there a few exceptions to the rule, but generally red earlobes=brown eggs and white earlobes=white earlobes.

Hope that helps.

photo reference: http://www.fresheggsdaily.com/2016/09/do-you-hear-what-i-hear-all-about.html

Another interesting read with photos!
https://agriculturalwithdrlindsay.com/2014/06/20/chicken-ears-the-better-to-hear-you-with/