The earlobes of a chicken have one of the widely known myths about chickens. Some people may not even notice that chickens have earlobes and don’t know where to look. So where are chickens earlobes located?
If you have been rearing a flock of chickens. You must have probably heard of how the color of the earlobes of a hen corresponds to the color of eggs.
The chicken earlobes
The earlobes of both male and female chickens are found on each side of the head. They are usually behind the eyes and above the wattles.
The ears are covered by layers of smooth feathers that help in protecting them from mites and dirt. It should be noted that chickens usually do not have external ears. However, they have a flap of skin located under the ear canals.
The skin under the ear canals is usually colored and fleshy. Its size may depend on the breed of chicken. Some chicken breeds may have thick and large skins. Other breeds have small earlobes that may not be easily noticed.
If you are not keen, you can easily mistake the earlobes as part of the wattles. In most breeds of chicken, hens usually have smaller earlobes as compared to the roosters.
Chickens can easily harness sound waves and transmit them to the inner ear. All breeds of chicken can regrow the damaged parts of the ear cells as they grow, unlike human beings, who are more likely to suffer hearing loss as they get older. This special adaption has captured the interests of scientists with the aim of applying it to people with hearing problems.
All birds need to have a good hearing ability. They must hear as early as possible when any predator is approaching. Chickens are able to tell the far a sound has come from just by gauging the time that the sound takes to reach their ears.
Chicks can hear the clucking of a hen when still inside the eggs. When a hen finds food and taps on the ground, chicks can efficiently respond from a distance.
The earlobe myth
Depending on the breed, the earlobes of a chicken comes in various colors. They can be blue, white, red, or iridescent. There is a common myth that the color of the earlobes of a hen can determine the color of eggs that she will lay.
For instance, the myth states that if the color of the earlobes is white, the hen will likely lay white eggs. If the earlobes are red, she will lay brown eggs, while white cream eggs will be laid if the earlobes are blue.
In some cases, it might be true. However, there are several exceptions.
What are some of the standard exceptions?
- Easter Eggers lay eggs of different colors but have red earlobes
- Araucanas have red earlobes but lay blue eggs
- The eggs of And Ampodanesas are chocolate brown, but they have white earlobes
- The eggs of Penedesencas are dark brown, although they have white earlobes.
- Ameraucana lay blue eggs but have red earlobes
There are other various exceptions. It is therefore essential to note that you can not predict the color of eggs of your hen by looking at the color of her earlobes.
Scientists across the world have carried out several studies to found out if the color of the earlobes can determine the color of eggs in chickens. The outcome of the studies has always stated that you can not predict the color of eggs in hens by looking at the color of the earlobes. Scientifically, there is no link between the two.
Where did the myth originate from
There are no clear records that show where the myth originated from. Some people that it might have been the norm several years ago.
In some cases, there seems to have a link between the color of the earlobes of chickens and the color of their eggs. However, since there are many exceptions to this, you can not conclude that it is a rule.
What determines the color of an egg
Breeding is the most significant determinant of the color of an egg in chickens. A mixed breed of chicken can produce cream-colored eggs when her earlobes are red.
Initially, all eggs are white. However, they get pigmentations determined by genetics as they undergo development in the oviduct.
If the egg has enocyanin pigmentation from the beginning, then it will have the same color outside as it is inside. However, if at the later stages of development the egg gets protoporphyrin, it will be colored outside but white inside.
What determines the color of the earlobe
The color of earlobes in chicken is determined by genetics. In most cases, The color of the earlobes is usually the same as that of wattles and combs. In other few cases, there could be a sex link to the color of earlobes in chicken.
Earlobe health issues
There are several health issues that may affect the chicken earlobe. In some cases, you can spot illness in chickens by looking at their earlobes. When doing your routine checks, you must check the following:
- The earlobe skin should not be rough. It should be smooth instead
- The color of both earlobes must look normal
- They should not look ashen
- They should not have dried blood or any scabs
So what does all this mean?
Ear Mites
The earlobes in the chicken are very delicate and can scab quickly. If you are doing your daily routine checks and notice that the earlobe wattles have a lot of scabby skin, it could be more likely that mites are the issue. The solution to this is giving your chickens a dust bath that has Diatomaceous Earth. The mixture of the two chokes mites. Diatomaceous Earth will help in the killing of larvae and eggs.
Fowl Pox
Fowl Pox is more likely to cause dark scabs and white lumps lamps on the chicken lobes, wattles, and combs. Currently, there is no known cure for fowl pox. However, you can prevent it by vaccinating all your chickens.
Fowl Pox spreads very fast. If one chicken in the flock contracts it, You can be sure of others contracting it too within a short time if they are not vaccinated.
Ear Infections
- Most ear infections usually come as a result of various underlying illnesses such as mites or respiratory infections.
- Ear infections will, in most cases, make the chicken scratch excessively and eventually cause scabs.
You can treat the condition to alleviate the pain. Giving the chicken antibiotics can also help. If an ear infection in chickens prolongs, it can lead to permanent neurological damage.
Ringworm or favus
Ringworm is a fungal infection that affects the skin. Chickens can have favus on their earlobes, combs, and wattles. It can be noticed by the presence of rough scabs that can either be off-white or yellow.
Ringworm can be treated by a cream known as miconazole. You can apply it two times a day to achieve good results in a few weeks.
Heart condition
Some chickens, especially the larger breeds, are more likely to suffer from heart diseases. Your chicken could be having a heart condition if it has purple or blue earlobes. You must always see a veterinarian whenever you suspect a heart condition in your chicken. The vet can treat the situation with a change in diet and medication.
Anemia
Just like human beings, chickens, too, can become anemic. Anemia is caused by a lack of enough iron in the body. It can also be caused by having untreated mites. It is advisable to check your birds for mites regularly to prevent excessive loss of blood.
Stress
Stress is a common health condition in chickens. If the earlobes of your chicken are turning white, it could be an indicator that the bird is stressed. Many things can make your chickens be stressed. Some of them include severe weather, cramped conditions, and other illnesses.
You must establish the source of stress in your hen and remove it. This will have your birds feeling better again.
Frostbite
Frostbite is very common in chickens during the cold winter season. It is indicated by blackened spots on the earlobes and in the face. You can prevent it by keeping your coop more ventilated and very clean.
Pecking sores
Sometimes sores on the earlobes can come because of the pecking order. Chickens, especially roosters, like to fight most of the time. The earlobes can be casualties during the fight.
Pecking sores are usually clean and do not have sores. You can apply Neosporin to speed up recovery and prevent further infections.
Laying season
You can know the first laying of your young pullets by looking at the earlobes. If they are about to lay, it will be indicated by paling lobes. The lobes will be normal again after laying the first few eggs.
Summary
Chickens have earlobes found on each side of the head behind the eye and above the wattles. In most breeds, you can not quickly notice the earlobes.
The color of the earlobes has nothing to do with the color of eggs in chicken.
