Blind old hen

[Faverolle Lover]

I have a 5yr old polish hen that can't see in one eye. I think it's catorax. Is that possible with chickens? Here's a pic:

 

[MrsBrooke]

Cataracts are not very common in chickens... but it can happen. It appears to be hereditary.

Cloudy irises could be Marek's disease, eye worms, the result of a scratch/foreign object, vitamin A or E deficiency, avian encephalomyelitis, or something else I've never heard of/Google isn't bringing up.

It's best to rule out all the other stuff before assuming it's cataracts.

Is her pupil dilated most of the time, regardless of the lighting conditions? Can you tell if her pupil is perfectly round, or does it have "jagged" edges?

Any chance of taking this bird to the vet?

MrsB

 

[Faverolle Lover]

It is always round and not dilated. I do have ocular mareks but it only showed up last year and she's been here for 5 and came vaccinated. She has gone to a local poultry show but birds that go there are not from any other state.

 

[MrsBrooke]

You may have already read this, but it's got a ton of helpful info on Marek's.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/the-great-big-giant-mareks-disease-faq

I hope your mama has a cataract and lives to a ripe old age!

MrsB