What does this hen have ?

[Flufnstuffs~FluffySilkies]

peroxide should not be used in a prolonged situation.
It can damage healthy tissue.
You should be able to push at the out side edge of the ear going around in a circle this should dislodge the plug and it should come out in a big chunk.
this lump needs to come out so you can get antibiotics to the inner ear where the infection is. what you are seeing is the old puss that has built up over time dried into a semi solid state and been pushed to the outer ear.
you are doing really good but you need to get meds down deep in the ear.

 

[dlhunicorn]

There are specific (made specifically for the ear) meds which will have medication in them also for welling...consult an avian vet for the name/script for it. This will be a topical medication and you will need to continue removing the "gunk" from the ear as abscess is avians do not get reabsorbed.

 

[urbanagrarian]

UPDATE

Just when I was getting hopeful, she has taken a turn for the worse. She is lying down and looks ill. She looks so bad that I decided not to de-gunk her ears again today to spare her that trauma.

I don't think it looks good at this point.

Urban Agrarian

 

[dlhunicorn]

I meant to say swelling in the above post...
(The swelling will cause imbalance/prostration) I would suggest you call the telephone number listed on this page as he may have the special ear medication to reduce the swelling
http://www.firststatevetsupply.com/store/print_catalog.php
... if he has the medication and thinks you are in time for it to help he can mail it to you overnight... I suggest you register on his board and post photos and tell your story immediately so he will have more info to determine if he has a med which may help... here is the link for that:
http://featherfanciers.com/forums/index.php

 

[SeaChick]

Yeah, I second DLHUNicorn's advice. I found that web site in my searches on our sick hen and I emailed him ("ask the doctor" or something) and he got back to me within 24 hours. Nice guy. I would just call so you can get the right meds ASAP http://www.firststatevetsupply.com/contact-us/
Stacey

 

[Flufnstuffs~FluffySilkies]

Yes - You have your heart in the right place

BUT

You have to get that gunk out...

Peroxide is not going to do the trick and neither is greesy ointment. the ointment will just plug it up more filling in what holes there may have been preventing fresh air from getting in. Making the infection underneith worse... If the infection can not drain to the out side of the body it will build up inside and kill the bird.

Her ear is plugged the infection can not drain. It is probable built up so much in her tiny head there is no more room. " DLH is Correct "

Call a vet tell them you want medicated ear drops if you can't get the gunk out then a vet needs to flush it out.

 

[urbanagrarian]

Flufnstuffs~FluffySilkies :

Yes - You have your heart in the right place

BUT

You have to get that gunk out...

Peroxide is not going to do the trick and neither is greesy ointment. the ointment will just plug it up more filling in what holes there may have been preventing fresh air from getting in. Making the infection underneith worse... If the infection can not drain to the out side of the body it will build up inside and kill the bird.

Her ear is plugged the infection can not drain. It is probable built up so much in her tiny head there is no more room. " DLH is Correct "

Call a vet tell them you want medicated ear drops if you can't get the gunk out then a vet needs to flush it out.

I have been getting the gunk out, That is not the problem. The problem is it just fills up again.

To those who think that the plug can just be pulled out, this is not the case. Even when loosened it does not come out in a plug. It must be tediously worked on with tweezers and irrigated to remove it bits at a time.

I know people keep suggesting a vet. I will not be contacting a vet. This may bother some of you, but you need to remember that this chicken is part of a well cared for laying flock. She probably should have been culled when her plight was discovered. I took her home to try and see if I could help her a bit becasue I thought I may help and I may learn something. This is not a pet chicken. Although if she does pull through, she will become a pet.

Some of you were supprised that the owners let it get this far. Based on how fast the ears re-goo after I clean them out, I can see it's quite possible that it happened quickly. I was a little surprised to see some people want to blame the owner of a sick animal for it being sick without really having any other data to go on. I personally know that this farm cares for it's animals very well.

I'm even now wondering if I should not have tried to get the goo out at all. It's possible that the infection had walled off. All of my fiddling with the ears might have made her septic. Not really sure, I'll probably de-gunk the ears one more time, even though I'm not sure it will be of any help.

Thanks for all the advice and support for this little hen

Urban Agrarian​

 

[silkiechicken]

I think you should continue to keep taking out the goo. I think it is often hard for many people here to see how someone can miss such a thing on a bird, but forget to consider how watching 10 chickens for health is ALOT easier than watching 100 or 200 birds for individual health. Pet and flock management are slightly different in that respect.

Like raising a bunch of 100 chicks, you won't catch every case of pasty butt till it is too late or you catch one who looks overly droopy. I know I've lost a few chicks when raised in large batches, which probably would have been just fine if I was only keeping 3 or 4 at a time.

Good luck with the hen and hope she makes a good recovery! I too would not take a chicken to a vet so you are not alone on that either.

 

[dlhunicorn]

I'm even now wondering if I should not have tried to get the goo out at all. It's possible that the infection had walled off. All of my fiddling with the ears might have made her septic. Not really sure, I'll probably de-gunk the ears one more time, even though I'm not sure it will be of any help.

I can understand how disheartening it must be but believe me when I say do not give up... you must keep "de-gunking" the ears... the reaason you are not seeing any progress is that you need different medication... you also need to medicate for the swelling (which will invariably reach a point to where the birds balance is affected as you have now seen unless you are lucky enough the the very minimal measures you have taken up till now would be sufficient...now that the bird is showing imbalance and prostration it is obvious more measures need to be taken...)It is imperative to KEEP CLEANING THE "gunk" out (of course you must be very careful how you do this...ears are very sensitive and easily damged) but it MUST be removed as the exudate will NOT be reabsorbed back into the body like it does with mammals ... if you do not death will not be far behind.
Peter Brown (The owner of First State Vet Supply) is VERY knowledgeable on medications and VERY experienced WILL help you!...please post your story along with photos at his forum and call him at that phone number immediately...he will be better able to assess the situation and advise you if your bird still has a chance at recovery and CAN ADVISE YOU BEST ON MEDS AND TREATMENT. :aww I for one think you are great for doing your best to help this poor bird (((hugs)))​

 

[BJ]

I am anti-vet as well. I can do as much myself as a vet...even an avian vet. I went to the most popular Avian and Exotic vet in the city and, after spending over $150, still did not have a diagnosis. I have spent countless dollars on vets and meds. The problem with chickens is that illnesses are very difficult to diagnose. Many experts believe in culling the bird as the best "treatment" to prevent illness from spreading to the rest of the flock. I have spent hours pouring over books, etc. to figure out what is wrong with my sick chickens. I have finally concluded that, even after guessing at the problem and having worming meds and antibiotics overnighted to me, then administering, 9 times out of 10 the birds are not going to make it and those that do are never quite right after they pull through. Sometimes, the chickens have died shortly after I administered the meds. I think even the meds are too hard on their systems when they are ill.

Just as in nature, there will be chickens that are weak and will die. It is ridiculous to spend a fortune "guessing" at a diagnosis and at which medicine will work.

My new approach to illness is first of all to do everything possible to provide good food and a healthy environment, and secondly, try holistic and/or household remedies for illness (vinegar or garlic in the water for colds, vitamins and electrolytes, DE for mites and worms, etc.)

I absolutely love my chickens. I have easily spent over $500 on the sick ones and countless tears and lost hours of sleep. I even quite my job so I could spend more time caring for my animals! This may sound harsh, but this is what I have concluded from experience.