A bit of history first:
This past Saturday, I discovered one of the more shy EE hens has bumblefoot. I separated her from the rest of the flock and began treating with the only antibiotic (Duramycin-10 [Tetracycline]) I could find locally on a Saturday. As a precautionary measure, I also started the rest of the flock on it as well.
My little "mini" banties (I think they may be Quail Antwerp X's) have been broody since the Spring, and now my "Breck Girl" (because she has beautiful, long, flowing feathers) Australorp, Zelda, is broody as well. Everytime I go in the hen house (several times daily), I remove her from the nest and remind her that it's really too hot at 110* to sit in the nest all day.
Yesterday afternoon, I realized her right eye was closed, but her left open. It was also very dry. I put a bit of vaseline on the lids to soften them so I could open the eye and examine it for her.
The lids were a bit swollen with a small amount of crusty dirt/dry skin on them. I found she had a 'mucousy' substance in her eye, not unlike anything I might find in my own eye (think: sleepy eye).
I did notice her crop was quite small for her size, and she has a lost a bit of weight, but I believe this to be due to her broodiness. I put her back in the hen house with the rest of the flock thinking she must have gotten a shaving or something in her eye. As she has absolutely ZERO other symptoms.
This morning, the eye is closed again and I have put vaseline on it, but have not taken the time yet to open it to check inside again as I did yesterday afternoon. I wanted to come here and check with the "experts" before I go further.
My inclination is to head to the feed store for Vet Rx, but wonder if the current tetracycline water treatment might be sufficient.
NOBODY else is showing any signs of foot OR eye issues.
This past Saturday, I discovered one of the more shy EE hens has bumblefoot. I separated her from the rest of the flock and began treating with the only antibiotic (Duramycin-10 [Tetracycline]) I could find locally on a Saturday. As a precautionary measure, I also started the rest of the flock on it as well.
My little "mini" banties (I think they may be Quail Antwerp X's) have been broody since the Spring, and now my "Breck Girl" (because she has beautiful, long, flowing feathers) Australorp, Zelda, is broody as well. Everytime I go in the hen house (several times daily), I remove her from the nest and remind her that it's really too hot at 110* to sit in the nest all day.
Yesterday afternoon, I realized her right eye was closed, but her left open. It was also very dry. I put a bit of vaseline on the lids to soften them so I could open the eye and examine it for her.
The lids were a bit swollen with a small amount of crusty dirt/dry skin on them. I found she had a 'mucousy' substance in her eye, not unlike anything I might find in my own eye (think: sleepy eye).
I did notice her crop was quite small for her size, and she has a lost a bit of weight, but I believe this to be due to her broodiness. I put her back in the hen house with the rest of the flock thinking she must have gotten a shaving or something in her eye. As she has absolutely ZERO other symptoms.
This morning, the eye is closed again and I have put vaseline on it, but have not taken the time yet to open it to check inside again as I did yesterday afternoon. I wanted to come here and check with the "experts" before I go further.
My inclination is to head to the feed store for Vet Rx, but wonder if the current tetracycline water treatment might be sufficient.
NOBODY else is showing any signs of foot OR eye issues.
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