Puffy Yellow checks - sick or normal?

Malakchick

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Hi, I’ve never noticed this before hit my kids did today and husband believes our chicken is sick. She is an Americana.
Is this normal? Other than this all her activity is normal and she is laying.
Thanks!!
0DE52C22-44DC-4286-A9BF-770FADCF3501.jpeg
 
Hi, I’ve never noticed this before hit my kids did today and husband believes our chicken is sick. She is an Americana.
Is this normal? Other than this all her activity is normal and she is laying.
Thanks!! View attachment 1987762
Hi there, welcome to BYC! :frow

According to how you describe her behavior and laying she is indeed NOT likely sick despite that bare cheek also not being completely normal.

She could have had something stuck in her muff (dried mash) and other birds preened it out a bit too much. Or she might have been bullied. It's always good to do a vent check after dark and look for parasites with a flashlight or head lamp, as that's the easiest time to see them. Since her skin there doesn't look angry or red, I'm not thinking they are related to this instance specifically.

I'm sure many folks will be quick to call your lady an Easter Egger also known as EE on here. :love They are lovely birds and some of my favorites and meant to represent true Ameraucana though don't quite conform to the standard of perfection.

There does come a time in every chickens life when they will lose some of their feathers and replace them. That is often around their second fall or 18-ish months but sometimes they don't follow what we think of as "usual". Some some may molt earlier or later. Most do not lay eggs during that time and are often withdrawn a little and ragged as it can be a tough time for them.

Please note.. those feathers on her cheeks do look broken and not like pin feathers coming in. Broken feathers will not usually grow back until molt. Sometimes pulled feathers will sooner but not always.

Adding your general location can help folks make their best suggestions possible at a glance as it helps to gather info that could be useful like your weather conditions, available farm store chains, etc.. things key to helping poultry related questions. ;)

ETA: Does that cheek look normal or like it has any type of abscess? If normal, no worries!
 
It looks like your other chickens may have picked out some of her cheek fluff feathers
Oh, I’ve never seen them be aggressive to each other. She is the usually the “mother hen”. I have a total of 4 chickens. My other hens are 2 silkies and one buff Orpington.
 
Hi there, welcome to BYC! :frow

According to how you describe her behavior and laying she is indeed NOT likely sick despite that bare cheek also not being completely normal.

She could have had something stuck in her muff (dried mash) and other birds preened it out a bit too much. Or she might have been bullied. It's always good to do a vent check after dark and look for parasites with a flashlight or head lamp, as that's the easiest time to see them. Since her skin there doesn't look angry or red, I'm not thinking they are related to this instance specifically.

I'm sure many folks will be quick to call your lady an Easter Egger also known as EE on here. :love They are lovely birds and some of my favorites and meant to represent true Ameraucana though don't quite conform to the standard of perfection.

There does come a time in every chickens life when they will lose some of their feathers and replace them. That is often around their second fall or 18-ish months but sometimes they don't follow what we think of as "usual". Some some may molt earlier or later. Most do not lay eggs during that time and are often withdrawn a little and ragged as it can be a tough time for them.

Please note.. those feathers on her cheeks do look broken and not like pin feathers coming in. Broken feathers will not usually grow back until molt. Sometimes pulled feathers will sooner but not always.

Adding your general location can help folks make their best suggestions possible at a glance as it helps to gather info that could be useful like your weather conditions, available farm store chains, etc.. things key to helping poultry related questions. ;)

ETA: Does that cheek look normal or like it has any type of abscess? If normal, no worries!
This is very helpful, appreciate it! I’ll have to check for parasites. She is only about 7 months old and I’m in North Dallas. I originally thought it could be an abscess but just strange. I’m a first time chicken owner so this is all new!
 

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