Swollen dark earlobe Orpington hen

[uncleluke]

I got home from work today and one of my 6 hens is itching and shaking her head a lot. Closer review shows that her left earlobe is enlarged and darker. I did some searching but wasn't exactly sure on the approach I should take. Any others experienced this.

 

[uncleluke]

No smell or discharge either. She was breathing sinusey a little

 

[uncleluke]

I cleaned up around the ear with peroxide. Then rubbed on son triple antibiotic. I'll check again in the am

 

[Eggcessive]

Welcome to BYC. The dark color of the earlobe is a little different than I have seen, but it looks very swollen. Respiratory infections can affect the ear, and if it is that Tylan or oxytetracycline may help. If the ear is infected, you are going to have to clean out the ear to get the gunk out. Hydrogen peroxide and plain Neosporin, triple antibiotic, etc. may help with that. Check out these links about ear infections, and read Dawg53's comments--post #5 in the first link, post #4 in the second link, and here are some more to read:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/630778/gunky-ears
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/767500/ear-infection
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/919235/ear-infection-in-rooster
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/831156/really-nasty-ear-infection-in-a-silkie-hen-graphic-pics