Any ideas or suggestions are great!

[ChickenGrandma2202]

We have a hen who yesterday was hiding under the nesting area. We got her out and noticed she was not herself. One she was letting us hold her and she is not ever allowed that. We took her out to the yard and could see one eye was swollen shut and the other was partially that way. She seemed to have no energy. She had some yellowish poop matted in feathers and we cleaned that up. We placed her with food and water in a separate area that we covered but placed against the main coop so that open side looked into coop. Over night she did not seem to eat or be interested in water. Today both eyes are swollen but she seems to have more energy. She drank quite a bit of water with vitamins/electrolytes added but no food. We have put a heat lamp on her on/off to add some heat as it has finally decided to get cold here. We have a large coop with 25 birds with an outside run, no other birds are showing any issues at all. She is low in the pecking order if that is needed info. She has no sneezing, coughing, or other symptoms. Any clue? We would like to give her a chance to heal but if that is not likely we also don't want her to suffer. Unsure exact age but one of the others we got with her has just started to lay. I tried to check for a stuck egg but didn't know exactly what I was doing. Didn't feel anything... thanks in advance.

 

[Brahma Chicken5000]

I’m so sorry that your hen isn’t feeling well . I’ll tag some people who can help. @lazy gardener @Folly's place @azygous @CarolinaSunshineFlock @Pyxis @drumstick diva @chickens really @aart @Ravynscroft can you guys help please?

 

[Sunshine Flock]

@Hen Pen Jem has a lot of holistic healing methods she uses with her flock, mostly using things you may already have in your kitchen or that can be affordably purchased. I don't have any experience with swollen eyes, but I've come across this symptom quite a lot in the forums, so I'm certain the others will jump in soon and offer you lots of great information.

Do give her a chance to heal. At this point she may be inconvenienced but not suffering to an extreme that would warrant putting her down just yet. But I do appreciate that as an option.

Hang in there!

 

[azygous]

A photo is always helpful. Can you take a very close look at this hen's eyes with a magnifying glass? Look for tiny, wiggly very thin worms.

Is there a bad smell coming from her eyes?

These answers are important.

 

[micstrachan]

Wow, @azygous ! You never cease to amazeme with your knowledge. I had no idea about eye worms and am not sure what you’re looking for with the smell, but I am certain there is a good readon for asking!

 

[Welshies]

You need to further isolate her. If airborne the disease could spread.
Worms cause a pale wattle or comb.

 

[Hen Pen Jem]

Because of your geographical location (Illinois), I am doubtful that eye worm is the problem. But, all possibilities must be excluded, so please do check the eyes, as azygous, has suggested. In today's transient lifestyle, there is always a possibility that this parasite could be brought into your area.

I am assuming that Veterinary care is not an option. Anyone will tell you internet doctoring, has a lot of room for error. Having said that, here is my input.

If no eyes worms are found:
Treat the eyes with natural Epsom salts. Place one spoonful of Epsom salt in a cup of hot water and stir until dissolved. Use a washcloth to soak up the mixture and place it over the chicken's closed eyes. Hold for one to two minutes and rinse with clean water, gently pat dry. Repeat two to three times a week. Dab some VetRx oil, under the eyes and around the nostrils, and comb.

The yellow diarrhea suggests some infection in the body. Even though she is not sneezing, coughing, there is also, some upper respiratory involvement. Sinuses are causing the eyes to swell. Mycoplasma, Infectious Coryza is a possibility.

I believe the hen also needs some antibiotic administered. A penicillin of some sort. I prefer to use an herbal antibiotic. Always follow any antibiotic treatment (herbal or synthetic) with a course of probiotics for poultry, to re-establish the gut flora.

It is common for hens to become ill with a couple of things at the same time. Be sure to isolate the hen away from the flock, in a warm place (75-80 degrees), preferably in a hospital crate or tub, perhaps in the house or garage. Make sure the hen can move away from the warmth, if she wants to. You must also, be vigilant that the other hens do not exhibit any similar symptoms.

She will need time to heal, especially if it is cold where you are.

Provide good supportive care:

• I like to add 1 tablespoon of Aloe Vera or Echinacea tea to the water. Steep a teabag of echinacea for 3 minutes in a cup of hot water. Pour into 1 gallon of water. Use for 7 days to boost immune system. Make a fresh batch daily!

• Feed her some cooked meat protein or cooked eggs, diced fruit, diced black or red grapes, fresh greens, cooked grains like: brown rice, wheat berries, oat groats, pearl barley, also some toast with butter is good. Always offer her moist feed daily.
  
  
• If she cannot eat at this time, you may have to syringe feed her. I have used Hemp protein powder made into a loose paste to syringe feed. You can also try wetting her feed and spoon feeding it to her. She may not be eating because she can't see. Hand feed some diced grapes to hydrate and boost appetite.

So, these are some things I would do if she was my hen. This is my best guess, based on what you described. Other members may have different advice, please consider these too. And do your best to give her a chance to recover.

The healing ability of chickens is always amazing me, especially when they have a some help from their keepers!

God Bless!

 

[ChickenGrandma2202]

Thank you to everyone. Going to try to answer everyone.... no smell, no worms, comb and waddle look normal, one eye opened last night, her strength is coming back. Isolation more than now is not possible as far as for airborne.

 

[azygous]

Likely not eye worms then. Although you might not see them unless you put a bit of pressure on the tissue right beside the eye. If worms are present, you'll see a couple exposed that way.

No smell is good, indicating no serious respiratory infection. It could be a simple sinus infection. Ophthalmic eye ointment is good for this issue. I have steroid eye drops I also put in the eye when a hen has facial swelling. It clears it right up. https://www.kvsupply.com/item/prednisolone-acetate-ophthalmic-suspension/497024/

 

[ChickenGrandma2202]

Thank you all so much. This morning she seems to be holding at not getting worse. Still not much interest in food but is drinking. And no one else is showing any issues at all still. She is sleeping quite a bit but it's always good to sleep when I don't feel well so hopeful that's the case here as well. We are hopeful she will pull through this with no issues. I will update as I can. Merry Christmas to everyone.