My 9 week old barred rocks ear is huge, is that normal?

[CIuck]

Here is a picture of her normal ear;

Here is a picture of the normal ear;

What is this and how do I treat it, I did some research and it could be a Outer ear infection, how do I treat it?

 

[humblehillsfarm]

That is not normal, and I have heard of chickens getting ear infections, but I know nothing of the signs and symptoms in chickens. Ironically I'm an audiologist and do this for a living for people, but there's not a lot of cross over for chickens! With that said, that looks like the chicken-equivelant of our pinna, or the outermost cartilage of our ear that sticks out from our head. Ear infections would affect the ear canal, but for a chicken that system is quite small, so perhaps it can carry over to the chicken pinna? Just hypothesizing out loud here. This isn't common topic that pops up on BYC. Any way you can consult with a vet?

 

[CIuck]

That is not normal, and I have heard of chickens getting ear infections, but I know nothing of the signs and symptoms in chickens. Ironically I'm an audiologist and do this for a living for people, but there's not a lot of cross over for chickens! With that said, that looks like the chicken-equivelant of our pinna, or the outermost cartilage of our ear that sticks out from our head. Ear infections would affect the ear canal, but for a chicken that system is quite small, so perhaps it can carry over to the chicken pinna? Just hypothesizing out loud here. This isn't common topic that pops up on BYC. Any way you can consult with a vet?

I can check if the vet takes chicken or knows anything about chickens.

 

[Eggcessive]

That is a swollen earlobe. The ear canal is just above. Can you look (and smell) for any ear mites or drainage from the ear, perhaps by inserting a QTip inside? There might have been a peck or injury to her lobe, and an insect sting could also cause swelling. If you see any gunk in the ear itself, then irrigate the ear with some hydrogen peroxide and a small syringe or dropper. Then clean it out with QTips or cotton, and apply some plain Triple Antibiotic Ointment into the ear canal which will kill mites and bacteria.

 

[CIuck]

That is a swollen earlobe. The ear canal is just above. Can you look (and smell) for any ear mites or drainage from the ear, perhaps by inserting a QTip inside? There might have been a peck or injury to her lobe, and an insect sting could also cause swelling. If you see any gunk in the ear itself, then irrigate the ear with some hydrogen peroxide and a small syringe or dropper. Then clean it out with QTips or cotton, and apply some plain Triple Antibiotic Ointment into the ear canal which will kill mites and bacteria.

So there is no puss or discharge, and there are no mites, I put some Triple Antibiotic Ointment in her ear, I think it might be a bee/hornet/wasp bite, should I separate her?

 

[coach723]

I would not separate unless she's getting picked on. Separation can be very stressful for them. If it's a sting or bite, then you should see some gradual improvement over the next few days. The ointment won't hurt anything, and may help. If it doesn't start going down, or gets bigger, then infection seems more likely.

 

[CIuck]

I would not separate unless she's getting picked on. Separation can be very stressful for them. If it's a sting or bite, then you should see some gradual improvement over the next few days. The ointment won't hurt anything, and may help. If it doesn't start going down, or gets bigger, then infection seems more likely.

It has not gone down, should I take her to the vet?

 

[Eggcessive]

Does she act sick? Is she eating and drinking? The vet is up to you, but it may take more than one day for swelling due to a sting to go down. You could try giving her 1/4 of a 25 mg Benadryl tablet orally is you have some, but give it only once.

 

[CIuck]

She is staying and drinking, I am going to wait a day.