Mud on face? Or something else?

[ChickenDad19]

I noticed 2 of my chickens seem to have something on their face and eyes. It thought it was mud at first glance (their run has some muddy spots where their water leaked) but it’s hard and doesn’t come off easily when I tried to wipe it with a wet cloth. It also looks like there is some blood and puffiness on her face by her eyes. The pictures attached are what the worst one looks like, but there is another that has similar stuff on her face, just less severe.

She seems to be eating, drinking and acting normal (other than being a little broody, but that’s been going on for a couple weeks before). Is this something I should worry about or is it just some dried mud and irritation. Thanks in advance!

 

[Kiki]

Looks like blood.
Have you seen anyone pecking this bird?

 

[Susan Skylark]

Pecking or insect bites?

 

[ChickenDad19]

Looks like blood.
Have you seen anyone pecking this bird?

I’ve witnessed light bickering (small peck or bite but nothing crazy). But I believe this one is the top of the pecking order that bullies some of the others so maybe the others got fed up and fought back? This just seems so extreme because she looked totally normal yesterday and now she looks messed up.

 

[ChickenDad19]

Pecking or insect bites?

We are getting a lot of mosquitoes and other bugs around now that it’s super hot so that would make sense

 

[Kiki]

I’ve witnessed light bickering (small peck or bite but nothing crazy). But I believe this one is the top of the pecking order that bullies some of the others so maybe the others got fed up and fought back? This just seems so extreme because she looked totally normal yesterday and now she looks messed up.

Anything is possible.
Anything in the coop or run she could be rubbing her face against?

 

[ChickenDad19]

Anything is possible.
Anything in the coop or run she could be rubbing her face against?

Not that I know of. The only thing is there are large patches of mud in the run from water spilling so maybe she was rolling around in the mud and got some on her? Plus an injury? I’m just wondering if it’s pox or some kind of other disease I should be worried about. If it’s just bullying I will let them free range outside the run so they have more space during the day and keep an eye on it.

 

[Kiki]

The picture is a little blurry so it's hard to tell what it is.
I would think if it were something like fowl pox all birds or more than just one would be showing signs of it.
Pox also doesn't look so bloody like.

 

[Eggcessive]

It looks like fowl pox versus severe pecking, but the pictures are not clear. Her eyes are swollen as well. Try to get another set of pictures in good light if possible. Mosquitoes spread fowl pox. You should probably see more of it in another bird at least if pox. Since she was broody, others may have wanted her nest box, and pecked her. Wet pox is the more serious kind that causes yellow plaques or lesions inside the beak and throat. Look inside her beak. There is no treatment for fowl pox, but they usually get over it inside a month. The wet kind can be more deadly. If she is being pecked or bloodied, then I would separate her with food and water. Her eyes can be cleaned off with warm water or saline. Terramycin or plain Neosporin can be applied in the eyes twice a day for pox or the swelling.