The Poultry Keeper

Boxerchic · Joined: 11 Dec 2005 Posts: 26 Location: Cheshire

Hi there,

Anyone had any experience of a crusty ear? My cockerel is gaping (not gape worm) and has a yellowish crusty substance in one ear. He also keeps shaking his head.

Any suggestions?

Clare.

summayah · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 4289 Location: luton

I don't know anything about this, sorry. But he could be shaking his head because it hurts or is uncomfortable, much like a baby pulling their ear because it hurts ~ and maybe the gaping is also linked to that.
Hopefully someone with good knowledge will be along later to give some advice

Bhindi · Posted: Sun Jun 25, 2006 5:57 pm Post subject:

Would it be possible a grass seed could get in a chooks ear ?

Boxerchic · Joined: 11 Dec 2005 Posts: 26 Location: Cheshire

I think he is gaping because the ear canal is blocked by the crusty build up. I don't want to risk any permanent damage to his ear by trying to clear it unless someone can advise me how to go about it.
It may be ear mites or a fungal infection causing wax build up, but without previous experience I'm loath to try to clear it.
I'll give the vet a call in the morning unless someone can suggest steps to remedy the situation. I'll let you know how I get on for future reference.

Cheers,

Clare.

jaydee67 · Posted: Sun Jun 25, 2006 8:39 pm Post subject:

Not sure it would help, but can't see the harm either - how about trying some warm olice oil on it to see if that breaks up the crusty stuff?

summayah · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 4289 Location: luton

It shouldn't do any harm you 're supposed to put warm olive oil in your ears if you have to have the wax syringed out of them ~ to soften the wax

lilly the pink · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 78 Location: Wiltshire

There are a few things which can cause this and its important you treat it quickly because your cockerel could get quite sick quite fast if you don't. Firstly, it's possible he has a form of mycoplasma, specially as he is gaping which means he is having trouble breathing because of mucous build-up. There may not necessarily be any signs of nasal discharge or rattly breathing although his breath may smell stale because of the cataarh. Secondly he could have an ear infection caused by myco or sometimes mites in the ear. this will cause irritation and scratching.

If you leave it he the problem will spread into his inner ear causing loss of balance and disorientation. he will become unstable and miserable.

I have successfully treated an ear infection in the following way: Firstly try and clean as much of the gunk away from the area using cotton buds and disinfectant - something like F10. The area can be gently squeezed to encourage the goo to come out but don't shove the ear bud into the ear canal as you will compact the gunge. Once the crust is off it can look quite cheesy and smell revolting. Secondly I mixed 1 drop each of lavender oil and tea tree oil into one teaspoon of witch hazel and carefully put 2 drops in the ear hole twice a day. The witch hazel acts as an astringent which caused the swollen tissue to subside and makes the pus easier to expel. Thirdly i gave him a vitamin supplement in his water with cider vinegar and plenty of fresh garlic. It took two weeks for the infection to clear and his ears to be clean again but he made a full recovery and has had no problems since.

If you are worried then you should contact your vet who will can probably prescribe antibiotic ear drops if necessary which will work faster. If myco is suspected then he may well need an antibiotic for his drinking water as well. It might be as well to dose any hens he has been living with as well.

Bhindi · Posted: Mon Jun 26, 2006 6:06 pm Post subject:

That sounds like great advice, .....

Mods: Could that be put into the poultry wiki for quick reference in the future?

Boxerchic · Joined: 11 Dec 2005 Posts: 26 Location: Cheshire

I have cleaned out the ear carefully with F10 and there was much less build up than I thought from initial inspection, it looked worse as the fine down covering the ear was holding a little of the build up. It may have just been a little dried ear wax? The ear hole was clean and clear and there was no smell at all from any part of the head.
I didn't have any witch hazel so I have put the tea tree and lavender into almond oil and put a little of that into the ear canal. Quite a lot went over his wattles as he shook his head when it went into the ear, but he didn't seem to mind. I'll keep treating him and see if it improves. He is only gaping occasionally perhaps once an hour or so. He seems overall very healthy and active so I'll see how he goes on in the next couple of days and if still showing signs of discomfort call the vet.
I read yesterday that liquid paraffin oil is used to get rid of ear mites in rabbits, so I'm hoping that the oil will help if there are any mites in the ear.

Thanks for all the advice.

Clare.