Swollen head on one side

[mamak77]

My 8 month old SLW hen started acting a little funny last week, being the last one off of the roost and fist one in at night and limping a little. I thought the rooster might have been a little rough with her because she is eating and drinking fine and keeping up with the flock when they are out free ranging. Yesterday I noticed that one whole side of her head is swollen. I can’t tell if she has an injury— I see a spot that looks discolored so I cleaned it with Banixx and put some neosporin on it in case it’s a wound. Any other ideas of what could cause this? The pics aren’t great but in the one straight on you can see how much bigger the one side of her head is than the other. Any help is appreciated!

 

[Eggcessive]

Does her head feel puffy like there is air under the skin from a leaking air sac? Or does it seem like firm swelling from a bump? I would place her inside a wire dog crate with food and water secured to the crate, and keep it inside the coop with the others. If she is not getting picked on during the day, let her out with the others.

 

[mamak77]

Does her head feel puffy like there is air under the skin from a leaking air sac? Or does it seem like firm swelling from a bump? I would place her inside a wire dog crate with food and water secured to the crate, and keep it inside the coop with the others. If she is not getting picked on during the day, let her out with the others.

It does not feel firm, it does sort of feel puffy. I tried to look under her feathers but she was not having it and kept shaking her head. I’ll try again tomorrow. She is not our cuddliest chicken, lol, so it’s hard to get her to cooperate.

 

[Eggcessive]

If it is a leaking air sac (air under the skin from a bump on the head,) it may be reabsorbed by the body on it’s own. If it grows larger, the air can be sucked out with a needle and syringe, or s needle and pushing the air out. Here is some info:
https://www.thepoultrysite.com/publications/diseases-of-poultry/223/subcutaneous-emphysema

 

[mamak77]

Ok, thank you for the info!