Black spots around hen's eyes

[HenriettaPizzaNolan]

My hen all of the sudden has black spots around her eyes and is slightly shaking her head every so often like she's irritated. I noticed this right away when I looked at her today, but I don't recall this being there yesterday when I was feeding the flock. She is otherwise pecking around like normal.

Could this be something contagious? Should I separate her from the flock?

 

[sourland]

I can't see from the pictures, but is there any possibility that she has stick tight fleas?

 

[Themellowyellows]

Do you have poison plants near them?

 

[HenriettaPizzaNolan]

I can't see from the pictures, but is there any possibility that she has stick tight fleas?

After this post, I took a paper towel soaked in warm water and carefully got the stuff off from around her eyes. It more had the texture of small clumps of dirt (hard but then small pieces disintegrated when rubbed on the wet towel) than bugs. I did this and then put some Neosporin around the eye. I'm not sure what else to do. I just hope it doesn't come back.

Do you have poison plants near them?

What would be some examples? I don't know of any. I've had chickens for about 3 years and haven't had issues.

 

[sourland]

Sounds like she just got her face dirty. I don't think that you have anything to worry about.

 

[Themellowyellows]

After this post, I took a paper towel soaked in warm water and carefully got the stuff off from around her eyes. It more had the texture of small clumps of dirt (hard but then small pieces disintegrated when rubbed on the wet towel) than bugs. I did this and then put some Neosporin around the eye. I'm not sure what else to do. I just hope it doesn't come back.

What would be some examples? I don't know of any. I've had chickens for about 3 years and haven't had issues.

Poison ivy, stinging netel. I want to say she just got her face dirty also, but it looks diffrent. Does it smell weird? How does she look without it? Pics of her eyes?

 

[HenriettaPizzaNolan]

Sounds like she just got her face dirty. I don't think that you have anything to worry about.

Well, that's embarrassing on my part if true lol. But as long as she's okay I'm happy!

Poison ivy, stinging netel. I want to say she just got her face dirty also, but it looks diffrent. Does it smell weird? How does she look without it? Pics of her eyes?

No weird smell or anything and I don't believe I have those plants. I will try to get another pic later but it's just been raining a lot here and the hens are hiding under the coop and picnic table haha.

 

[Themellowyellows]

Well, that's embarrassing on my part if true lol. But as long as she's okay I'm happy!

No weird smell or anything and I don't believe I have those plants. I will try to get another pic later but it's just been raining a lot here and the hens are hiding under the coop and picnic table haha.

Haha! Okay!

 

[Livloveschickens123]

Could be just dirt a 15% chance of it being a diesease

 

[HenriettaPizzaNolan]

Could be just dirt a 15% chance of it being a diesease

Yeah I think it was just dirt... she wanted to wear eyeliner that day lol. It was a quick little goth phase.

Well I'm 98% sure it was dirt. I cleaned her eyes for 2 days and applied light neosporin just in case. By the third day, it was cleared up. Either it was just dirt, or was something minor the neosporin took care of.