Hen with a swollen face

[Bdon17]

Hi everyone,

My hen Ginny has had a swollen face on both sides for a few days, sometimes looking very pale. She's around 10 months old and we were assured she'd had all her vaccinations when we got her. She's had no change in diet since we got her. Recently the pen has been infested with red mites which we have tried to get rid of using a series of mite powders and sprays on the hens and their house. Her and the three other hens have stopped laying in the past few weeks, so not sure if that's relevant, but the other three look very normal. Ginny is behaving normally but was a bit ill a few weeks ago (standing still, hunched up, not eating) but she's fine now. Occasionally she has a very wet back when she gets up in the morning and none of the others do so it's unlikely the roof is leaking. I was wondering if anyone had any idea what this might be.

 

[M-H-Fielding]

Hi everyone,

My hen Ginny has had a swollen face on both sides for a few days, sometimes looking very pale. She's around 10 months old and we were assured she'd had all her vaccinations when we got her. She's had no change in diet since we got her. Recently the pen has been infested with red mites which we have tried to get rid of using a series of mite powders and sprays on the hens and their house. Her and the three other hens have stopped laying in the past few weeks, so not sure if that's relevant, but the other three look very normal. Ginny is behaving normally but was a bit ill a few weeks ago (standing still, hunched up, not eating) but she's fine now. Occasionally she has a very wet back when she gets up in the morning and none of the others do so it's unlikely the roof is leaking. I was wondering if anyone had any idea what this might be.
View attachment 2372684

Oh, poor hen!
I wish I knew more about stuff like that! I'm not an expert on injuries!!!

 

[lbgreenfield]

Poor girl! Do you have ticks? My hen's face swelled up like that from a tick bite.

As for the mites, I'm sure you've already done all this but you will need to do a COMPLETE cleanout of ALL bedding, roost bars, the entire coop (burn all bedding if you can), and spray every crack, corner, and crevice of the coop with diluted Permethrin-10 (I am not sure where you are located, but in the USA, you can buy it at Tractor Supply: Gordon's Permethrin 10 Concentrate). You will also need to spray each and every bird thoroughly with the diluted solution as well, it has to be diluted according to package instructions for direct contact to the bird or else it can cause burns to their skin. You will need to treat the birds and coop once a week for 3-4 weeks to ensure all mites and larvae/eggs are killed. Diatomaceous Earth will NOT kill the mites, you need to you an insecticide like Permethrin-10.

I will also tag some other who might be able to help with the face swelling:
@aart
@azygous
@Eggcessive

 

[azygous]

The wet back could be from excretions from her beak. When a chicken feels anything drippy on their beak, they shake their head and the spray can get all over.

It appears to be a classic case of Mycoplasma galisepticum, a common respiratory disease. You will need to treat it with Tylosin. https://www.jedds.com/shop/tylan-soluble-100-g/

What products are you using on the red mites? They can be very stubborn, and they cause anemia in chickens, lowering their immune responses, thus the respiratory infection.

This is a far better mite control agent that most anything. https://www.valleyvet.com/ct_detail...MIs_208ae07AIVIz2tBh2SxAW2EAQYASABEgJjvPD_BwE It's pricey, I know, but economical since it's highly concentrated. I've used it, and it accomplishes in one treatment what other products need several to do.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

infested with red mites which we have tried to get rid of using a series of mite powders and sprays on the hens and their house. Her and the three other hens have stopped laying in the past few weeks, so not sure if that's relevant, but the other three look very normal. Ginny is behaving normally but was a bit ill a few weeks ago (standing still, hunched up, not eating) but she's fine now. Occasionally she has a very wet back when she gets up in the morning and none of the others do so it's unlikely the roof is leaking.

What does the inside of her beak look like?
Crop emptying overnight?
I agree, I would try to get the red mites under control.

 

[Eggcessive]

Mites on the chicken should be treated with permethrin 10 spray mixed according to the label instructions with water, and used in a spray bottle. Permethrin garden dust is also available for cold weather. Treat every 5-7 days at least 2 or 3 times to get the mites and the newly hatched mites before they reproduce. All bedding has to be removed far away or burned, and replaced with new bedding after the coop, roosts, and nest boxes have been sprayed.

Is she having any nasal secretions or head ahaking? Her face and comb looks very whitish and dry. It might be from molting and having mites. She might have scaly face mites or favus, a fungus that causes chaulky white deposits. Face mites are treated with ivermectin pour on given on the back of the neck, or vaseline applied to the face. Favus is treated with antifungal cream, such as miconazole or clotrimazole. You may be the only one who can tell which one it may be.