White Ears

[Chillicothechick]

Hi you all. I have a chicken who normally has red ears. Now one of her ears is white. Mites? Or something else? To be somewhat tacky and gross - but maybe necessary for a correct diagnosis - the reason I first noticed her ear was because she was in a nesting box facing sideways and she was having some kind of discharge that was clear and watery. Definitely not pee or poo. I thought she was about to lay an egg, but that was not the case. Besides, I've watched several of our chicks lay eggs and never noticed that before (although maybe I was just lucky). Any ideas?

 

[California Ducken]

I can't help you, so I will bump your post to the top.
Good Luck.

 

[threehorses]

The white - is it the coloration of her earlobe that has drained, or powdery stuff on the ear, or waxy like it can be scraped off?

Does she usually lay and maybe isn't laying now?

To help us help you, could you possibly answer a few questions?

How old is the hen, what breed, and in what physical condition as far as her weight goes (thin like a Y at her breast bone, like a V at her breast bone, or fat). What is her diet? Does she regularly lay? What exactly are you feeding her in what (general) proportions (Example: Mostly laying mash, a can full of scratch as treats daily, some kitchen scraps, oyster shell, grit).

You should also pick her up and thoroughly examine her to see whether or not she has lice. Lice can lay eggs that to me look a bit like what you're describing. They're nearly microscopic, and often the color of a hen (wheat), so look very carefully. Pay the most attention in warm/moist spots like under the wings, in the feathers there and along the skin, near the vent (also please tell us her vent condition - like reddened, waxy, clean, scaley, poopy), and in the feathers at the back of the neck. Look along the feather shafts as well as along the skin and on the feathers. Look for anything that looks like miniature snow or white deposits, or dirty desposits anywhere.

When you report back to us, hopefully we can give you more accurate answers.

Thanks!