What is this on my chickens face??

[kurby22]

Is this something I should be treating a special way?? I have no idea what this is but it wasn’t there yesterday? It looks like she was jabbed in the face? Is that all it is? I know there was some serious fighting over the roost last night, could another beak do this? Thanks for your help!

 

[azygous]

Are you adjacent to a wooded area where there are ticks?It looks like a tick. Put a dab of Vaseline on it and see if a tick backs out.

Or, do you have mosquitoes? It could be a mosquito bite. In that case, children's Benedryl will work, but the dosage is very precise, and I'll get back to you on it if you determine it might be a bite.

 

[kurby22]

Are you adjacent to a wooded area where there are ticks?It looks like a tick. Put a dab of Vaseline on it and see if a tick backs out.

Or, do you have mosquitoes? It could be a mosquito bite. In that case, children's Benedryl will work, but the dosage is very precise, and I'll get back to you on it if you determine it might be a bite.

Mosquitoes are more likely, as we live in a neighborhood and they’re in a run so not a lot of foliage for the ticks. But it’s not impossible. I will try the Vaseline first, thank you!

 

[kurby22]

Are you adjacent to a wooded area where there are ticks?It looks like a tick. Put a dab of Vaseline on it and see if a tick backs out.

Or, do you have mosquitoes? It could be a mosquito bite. In that case, children's Benedryl will work, but the dosage is very precise, and I'll get back to you on it if you determine it might be a bite.

How quickly would a tick back out? So far nothing has happened…it’s been about 3 mins?

 

[azygous]

Seems it would have run out of air by this time, so it's likely a mosquito bite. Get some children's Benedryl liquid. The dose for a chicken is .5ml, no more. Give it to her in the beak. If the swelling hasn't gone down in 24 hours after the dose, you can give another .5ml, and that's it. This is a med that can overdose, so follow directions precisely.

 

[kurby22]

Seems it would have run out of air by this time, so it's likely a mosquito bite. Get some children's Benedryl liquid. The dose for a chicken is .5ml, no more. Give it to her in the beak. If the swelling hasn't gone down in 24 hours after the dose, you can give another .5ml, and that's it. This is a med that can overdose, so follow directions precisely.

Okay thank you!! I picked at it a little with some tweezers and it seemed a bit like a scab and bloody, I gave her a little less than .5 mls I was nervous :-/ she’s sort of thin so I didn’t wanna take any chances! I hope it helps, thanks for your advice and help!

 

[kurby22]

Okay thank you!! I picked at it a little with some tweezers and it seemed a bit like a scab and bloody, I gave her a little less than .5 mls I was nervous :-/ she’s sort of thin so I didn’t wanna take any chances! I hope it helps, thanks for your advice and help!

It hasn’t been 24 hours so I’m being patient, but her face looks more swollen today. Should I be concerned about what bit her? She doesn’t seem to feel real great but I suppose it could be the benedryl making her a bit tired. The sore itself hasn’t changed at all but more of her face seems slightly puffy. Poor Ms Pretty.

 

[Artichoke Lover]

It hasn’t been 24 hours so I’m being patient, but her face looks more swollen today. Should I be concerned about what bit her? She doesn’t seem to feel real great but I suppose it could be the benedryl making her a bit tired. The sore itself hasn’t changed at all but more of her face seems slightly puffy. Poor Ms Pretty.

Can you post more pictures? I would think it’s also possible she got bit or stung by something poisonous, though I honestly don’t have any idea what it could be. It would explain the continued swelling.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Is there any swelling or pus inside the beak?
Updated photo of what it looks like today may be helpful.

 

[azygous]

You mentioned you poked at the lump yesterday and blood seeped out. That points more to a tumor than a bite, which would be full of fluid.

If the swelling increases in spite of the Benedryl, it may not be a bite, poisonous or not. It may be a peck wound starting to fester.

I suggest a second dose of Benedryl, and also dab on some antibacterial ointment.

The curious black dot in the center of the swelling would seem to me to rule out a protozoan infection, but that might be something to consider if the swelling spreads.