how do you check your chickens ears???

[roz]

Several of my hens have been shaking their heads for a while now. We went through the whole lice/possibly mites thing a month and a half ago. Then they got worms (only roundworms as far as I can tell), so I treated them for that as well. Some of them have been shaking their heads, and scratching. I dont think Gapeworm because they aren't opening their mouths and stretching their necks. I read a post on here about ear mites and how you could drop a few drops of vegetable oil in their ears to get rid of mites, but I have no idea how to even look into their ears. I think I know what their earlobe is....it is either white or red or whatever which usually indicates what egg color. Is there a flap I can lift up? I know that may sound stupid, but I have never examined a chicken ear before. I have gotten up close and personal with their vents, but never their ears. Help??!!!

 

[CarltonBlues]

Did you receive a response. I need help on how to check mine.

 

[WI FarmChick]

I am guessing a flash light and just take a look. Might be a 2 person job. LOl

 

[dawg53]

Several of my hens have been shaking their heads for a while now. We went through the whole lice/possibly mites thing a month and a half ago. Then they got worms (only roundworms as far as I can tell), so I treated them for that as well. Some of them have been shaking their heads, and scratching. I dont think Gapeworm because they aren't opening their mouths and stretching their necks. I read a post on here about ear mites and how you could drop a few drops of vegetable oil in their ears to get rid of mites, but I have no idea how to even look into their ears. I think I know what their earlobe is....it is either white or red or whatever which usually indicates what egg color. Is there a flap I can lift up? I know that may sound stupid, but I have never examined a chicken ear before. I have gotten up close and personal with their vents, but never their ears. Help??!!!

You'll want to lay the bird down on one side. Tie her feet together so she wont kick and squirm. Wrap a towel around her body snugly so she wont squirm and flap her wings, let her feet hang out in an opening from the towel. Put her head under a lamp so you can see what you're doing.
Lift up the flap, you should be able to see the ear canal under the fluff. If there's wax, gunk, green stuff present...that could indicate a respiratory problem. If there's mites, you would see tiny black dots like pepper, in which case use an eyedropper to put the oil in her ear. Firmly hold down the back of the neck on one side for the next procedure. For possible wax, gunk etc...use an eyedropperful of hydrogen peroxide and put it in her ear. It'll bubble up, that is normal. Use a Q-tip...you might have to take a little cotton off the tip of the Q-tip in order for the Q-tip to fit inside the ear canal. Then slowly and gently insert the Q-tip into the ear canal...dont go deep, all you want to do is a gently wipe and dry. It might take a couple of Q-tips to do this. Tweezers may be necessary to remove chunks. Once that is completed, pack the ear with neosporin and leave it. Then flip the bird over and repeat with her other ear.

 

[dawg53]

Here's an excellent youtube video provided by Klmclain1 showing where the ear canal is located.

 

[pasuit]

Do i need to spray the coop and pen like with chicken mites?

 

[Saaniya]

You'll want to lay the bird down on one side. Tie her feet together so she wont kick and squirm. Wrap a towel around her body snugly so she wont squirm and flap her wings, let her feet hang out in an opening from the towel. Put her head under a lamp so you can see what you're doing.
Lift up the flap, you should be able to see the ear canal under the fluff. If there's wax, gunk, green stuff present...that could indicate a respiratory problem. If there's mites, you would see tiny black dots like pepper, in which case use an eyedropper to put the oil in her ear. Firmly hold down the back of the neck on one side for the next procedure. For possible wax, gunk etc...use an eyedropperful of hydrogen peroxide and put it in her ear. It'll bubble up, that is normal. Use a Q-tip...you might have to take a little cotton off the tip of the Q-tip in order for the Q-tip to fit inside the ear canal. Then slowly and gently insert the Q-tip into the ear canal...dont go deep, all you want to do is a gently wipe and dry. It might take a couple of Q-tips to do this. Tweezers may be necessary to remove chunks. Once that is completed, pack the ear with neosporin and leave it. Then flip the bird over and repeat with her other ear.

How does a healthy ear looks like sometimes feathers new one seems coming with their feather wax covering

 

[dawg53]

There shouldnt be any wax in the ear at all.