Need help with bump under hen’s eye

[alinas2010]

Pepper has had this bump by her eye for about 3 weeks now. It was disappearing but now it seems to have migrated and I think is causing swelling under her eye. I posted about it when it happened and people seemed to think it was a bug bite or peck wound. I agreed that it was probably nothing to worry about. But now I’m wondering if I should treat it. I don’t want it to develop into something more. She eats and drinks fine. Forages all day, no discharge from anywhere or abnormal poops. Any thoughts? Do these types of things clear up on their own? Here are photos marked by date:

 

[coach723]

I looked at your other thread....what does it feel like? Is it hard, soft, squishy, etc? Does it move around when you push or manipulate it? It does look like it's gotten larger. I would look inside her ear and see if it's clear or if there are any signs of pus there, and also in her choanal slit (inside top beak).

 

[alinas2010]

I looked at your other thread....what does it feel like? Is it hard, soft, squishy, etc? Does it move around when you push or manipulate it? It does look like it's gotten larger. I would look inside her ear and see if it's clear or if there are any signs of pus there, and also in her choanal slit (inside top beak).
View attachment 3300516

Thanks for replying. I’ll go pester her and feel it. Is there an easy way to open her beak?

 

[coach723]

If you have a second set of hands it's easier to have someone hold her while you look. I just hold them in my lap, wrap one arm around and use that hand to hold the top beak, and the other to pull down on the wattles. If she struggles then you can wrap her in a towel like a burrito. If she's really awful about being held, then you may need to take her off the roost after dark, they tend to be calmer then.

 

[alinas2010]

If you have a second set of hands it's easier to have someone hold her while you look. I just hold them in my lap, wrap one arm around and use that hand to hold the top beak, and the other to pull down on the wattles. If she struggles then you can wrap her in a towel like a burrito. If she's really awful about being held, then you may need to take her off the roost after dark, they tend to be calmer then.

It’s a soft bump. I can’t move it about, it’s doesn’t feel like fluid, but it does give when I touch it. She has too much feathering by her ear, I can’t see in. Unless I’m looking in the wrong place. Forgive my ignorance, I’m newer to chickens I think I will have to wait for help to look in her mouth. But I’ll keep trying. Is this her ear hole behind this tuft?

 

[Eggcessive]

Yes that is where the ear canal is located.

 

[coach723]

Yes, behind that. Picture below with the tuft pulled aside, so you know what to look for. A good flashlight might be helpful.

 

[alinas2010]

Thank you both. I am not having much luck by myself. I’m going to try again later

 

[alinas2010]

Well we were able to look in her beak and at her ears. There doesn’t seem to be any pus or drainage of any sort. I’m gonna look at her ears again while she’s on the roost tonight just to be sure. But I’m stumped. The lump is soft/squishy ish, doesn’t seem to be slowing her down any. Could it just be an abscess from a peck?

 

[coach723]

If you see nothing in the ears and beak, then I'd try to see if you can draw anything out with a needle and syringe. If it's pus, it will be firm, and that might require making a small incision so you can flush it out and put some ointment in there.