hellotrixie
Songster
Sorry in advance that I do not have pictures yet. I have an 11 month old, which should explain my lack of time...
I have a 2 year old BSL hen that is keeping one eye closed. She free ranges in our fenced 1/2 yard all day. I feed Nutrena All Flock and provide fresh water at least daily.
I picked her up and had a good exam when I first noticed the eye closing. The eye CAN open fully. I could also see the third eyelid operating. There is no discharge, bubbles, or visible injury to the eye. There does not appear to be any swelling or redness. Actually, when it is open there is no appreciable difference to her other eye. I irrigated her eye with saline solution.
She is acting normal (eating/drinking etc.) and took a large, healthy poop right in front of me, and laid her usual extra large egg today. She appears to be in good health and recently gained a lot of weight (she was underweight from some stressful events in her chicken life). Her crop was as full as I would normally expect from her. No visible signs of parasites. Vent normal. Abdomen feels good - firm, pliable. Not hard or squishy. No respiratory symptoms (nasal discharge, rales, gurgling, or sneezing). I did not separate her as it doesn't seem warranted yet and I don't want to stress her.
At roosting time I had another look at her but I didn't notice anything different.
I'm wondering if she could have scratched her eye or gotten something in it and it is just more comfortable to keep it closed right now? I plan to keep an eye on her and possibly irrigate again tomorrow. I was also thinking of getting some Terramycin ointment. Is there anything else I should do or be on the lookout for? I'll be very vigilant for respiratory symptoms.
Thanks!!
I have a 2 year old BSL hen that is keeping one eye closed. She free ranges in our fenced 1/2 yard all day. I feed Nutrena All Flock and provide fresh water at least daily.
I picked her up and had a good exam when I first noticed the eye closing. The eye CAN open fully. I could also see the third eyelid operating. There is no discharge, bubbles, or visible injury to the eye. There does not appear to be any swelling or redness. Actually, when it is open there is no appreciable difference to her other eye. I irrigated her eye with saline solution.
She is acting normal (eating/drinking etc.) and took a large, healthy poop right in front of me, and laid her usual extra large egg today. She appears to be in good health and recently gained a lot of weight (she was underweight from some stressful events in her chicken life). Her crop was as full as I would normally expect from her. No visible signs of parasites. Vent normal. Abdomen feels good - firm, pliable. Not hard or squishy. No respiratory symptoms (nasal discharge, rales, gurgling, or sneezing). I did not separate her as it doesn't seem warranted yet and I don't want to stress her.
At roosting time I had another look at her but I didn't notice anything different.
I'm wondering if she could have scratched her eye or gotten something in it and it is just more comfortable to keep it closed right now? I plan to keep an eye on her and possibly irrigate again tomorrow. I was also thinking of getting some Terramycin ointment. Is there anything else I should do or be on the lookout for? I'll be very vigilant for respiratory symptoms.
Thanks!!