Swollen Ear

[Heritage Hens]

Have any of you had experience with a swollen ear on a pullet? My Buff Orpington pullet, about 3 months, has a swollen ear on the side of her head. It just started today. I brought her inside in a small cage and she is resting, but is not her usual perky self.
I checked Chicken Health Handbook but there is nothing on ears.
ANy advice?

 

[threehorses]

IS it her fleshy earlobe, or the flesh there by the opening of the ear?

It's very possible that birds can get an infection of either their ear or the flesh surrounding it, even the internal ear canal.

This can often happen as the chickens scratch the area because of mites, lice, or even just dust from pinfeathers or the environment.

First thing to do would be determine which location: The external meat of the ear, the internal canal of the ear, or the meat surrounding the ear opening.

Once you tell us which of those, and check for any breaks in the surface of the skin, we can go from there.

If you find breaks in the skin (or even if you don't) I would consider using a q-tip and applying neosporin to the area in hopes that it soaks in and helps the area.

I'll wait for your reply.