Mother has feathers worn off around eyes, inflamation

by the Julles
(Downtown Houston, Texas)

I have a hen with two 3-week-old chicks. Her face around the eyes is devoid of feathers, from the diligent feeding by her mate and abrasion from his beak. This has been going on at least a week, perhaps more, gradually loosing more and more feathers. The father's face is fine.

But today I noticed definate inflamation around the right eye.

Perhaps it's not due to abrasion but some other problem?? I see no signs of mites. All other birds in nearby cages are fine.

Is it something I can treat myself?

Have called the vet and can get an appointment, but I sure hate to part her from her chicks. The father is good about feeding the kids. But, still, 3 weeks is pretty young to take the mother away for a couple hours.

She is spending a little less time in with the chicks than she did when they were littler. The father does feed them at times, and they seem well fed and happy. They are dirtier than my other clutches, though, not from poop but from food slopped all over their beaks and bodies.

Thanks for any help!