Chicks ears look swollen?

[Ncfarm828]

This new flock is giving me a run for my money. The flock is twitching their heads, occasionally sneezing and scratching their heads.

I separated two because they were showing signs before any of the others. Well now I look and it seems like around their ears are swollen and missing feathers? Not sure if this is normal or not….. best pics I could get are attached.

 

[Eggcessive]

I would not separate unless they are being pecked. How much room do they have?

 

[Ncfarm828]

The one was being picked on I’ve have them separated for a week now. I wasn’t sure if what they had the others would get. four chicks are in a 100 gallon stock tank. The two are in a 40 gallon tote.

 

[MapleLaurelFarms]

Hello from another NC farm in 828. When I saw this, I looked back at your other posts also. This seems like a pretty clear case of respiratory illness. If the facial/ear swelling gets worse, I'd do some research on Coryza, but regardless the antibiotic should help.

I'd try to figure out how they were exposed if you can and avoid that in the future (though sometimes these things just happen and there's no telling how). If they brought it home with them then I'd avoid that hatchery or store from here on out. At this point, you've got a good treatment plan so be sure to practice good biosecurity so it can't spread, especially if you have other hens.

Best wishes to you during this and to your flock for speedy recovery!

 

[Ncfarm828]

Hello from another NC farm in 828. When I saw this, I looked back at your other posts also. This seems like a pretty clear case of respiratory illness. If the facial/ear swelling gets worse, I'd do some research on Coryza, but regardless the antibiotic should help.

I'd try to figure out how they were exposed if you can and avoid that in the future (though sometimes these things just happen and there's no telling how). If they brought it home with them then I'd avoid that hatchery or store from here on out. At this point, you've got a good treatment plan so be sure to practice good biosecurity so it can't spread, especially if you have other hens.

Best wishes to you during this and to your flock for speedy recovery!

Hello and thank you! I’m starting them on the tylosin tomorrow. Praying this helps! I have another older flock outside. Definitely taking as much precaution as I can not to spread it to them.