Swollen ear lobe? (Pictured) bite or infection?

[Homestead8]

what could this be from?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

My guess would be a peck wound.

 

[Homestead8]

She’s the only chicken around...?

 

[Eggcessive]

Could she have injured it on a nail or piece of fencing? Or maybe a cat claw? I would clean it with some disinfectant, and watch it to see if it increases in size, or if an abscess forms.

 

[HennyPenny2019]

What is the tiny dark place? If it’s a small scab or something stuck in the lobe, I’d pull it free and treat that spot with an antibiotic ointment. Appears to me the lobe may be infected and would benefit from an outlet to drain. My knowledge is based on dogs rather than chickens but is there an antibiotic that is safe to dose her with for a week?

 

[Homestead8]

She’s been staying around the same areas when she eats she eats slow usually she’s a fast eater. She’s not her normal self. I’m guessing an infection? She was just fine yesterday...

 

[HennyPenny2019]

She’s been staying around the same areas when she eats she eats slow usually she’s a fast eater. She’s not her normal self. I’m guessing an infection? She was just fine yesterday...

If it is full of infection (an abscess) it is uncomfortable at best and painful at worse. If you can handle her, I’d feel the lobe to see if it feels “hot” and knowing how I am ... I’d have to pick that dark spot off and put a dab of triple antibiotic ointment on it.

 

[Homestead8]

If it’s “hot” do I drain it?

If it is full of infection (an abscess) it is uncomfortable at best and painful at worse. If you can handle her, I’d feel the lobe to see if it feels “hot” and knowing how I am ... I’d have to pick that dark spot off and put a dab of triple antibiotic ointment on it.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

She’s been staying around the same areas when she eats she eats slow usually she’s a fast eater. She’s not her normal self. I’m guessing an infection? She was just fine yesterday...

Can you pick her up and examine her earlobe and under her beak/throat a bit more closely?
Feel of the swelling and tell us what it's like - hard, fluid filled, etc.
Is the other side swollen too?
Comb swollen?
You don't mention your location - look to make sure there is no tick or insects latched on.
She has a tiny wound/puncture with a little bit of dried blood/scabbing - can you rub/wash the scab off and take a look at that? Any snakes still out around where you live?

 

[Homestead8]

Can you pick her up and examine her earlobe and under her beak/throat a bit more closely?
Feel of the swelling and tell us what it's like - hard, fluid filled, etc.
Is the other side swollen too?
Comb swollen?
You don't mention your location - look to make sure there is no tick or insects latched on.
She has a tiny wound/puncture with a little bit of dried blood/scabbing - can you rub/wash the scab off and take a look at that? Any snakes still out around where you live?
View attachment 1628690

Her comb isn’t swollen neither is the other side. She does look swollen on her neck. I live in Texas, no snakes around. She’s a back yard chicken. She’s staying in one area and when I try moving her she goes back to the same warm spot when she’s resting. She’s drinking water and she’ll eat but not her normal self. Shes usually right behind me when I’m outside. I see no ticks or bugs. I’m thinking a wasp stung her?