Is this just chicken earwax? Or an infection?

[Coopin Is a Habit]

 

[Shabby Chic-Hens]

@Wyorp Rock

 

[Coopin Is a Habit]

I noticed I could not see the little fluff feathers that are next to Wanda-Sue's ears and upon closer inspection they were caked over. Some was black, others yellow/orange crusty substance. I snatched her up to her dismay and started removing the black parts. To my surprise she was very much trying to help, was happy I was doing this, and was calm. I removed the black parts and used a rag with water to get out the wax. It smelled pretty horrible. I then caked the area with sulfa powder antibiotic because some of the area was raw and a bleeding slightly, and I didn't want other hens to see it and peck her, as well as to reduce potential infection (or introduce another infection?). I don't have any after pictures sadly, but I removed the blockage and coated with the white powdery sulfa substance, and she seemed much happier. Do I need to treat with enteric antibiotics to make sure it doesn't come back? I'll be monitoring her, just wondering if others have seen this, I'm a new chicken keeper, thank you.

 

[coach723]

See post #5 here: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/gunky-ears.630778/
It's likely either ear mites or ear infection, the post gives great instructions on how to clean it out and deal with it.

 

[Coopin Is a Habit]

See post #5 here: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/gunky-ears.630778/
It's likely either ear mites or ear infection, the post gives great instructions on how to clean it out and deal with it.

Thank you!