Broody Chicken with swollen eye

[Andrzejsmom]

I have a gorgeous blue laced Wyandotte, Lacy, who went broody 1.5 weeks ago. She was in the main coop in everyone's favorite nest box determined to sit on her eggs. We have 3 other chickens who went in the box daily to lay their eggs and it seemed to be fine but then one chicken got very mean with Lacy. That night (3 nights ago) I moved her to a brooding box. Since then shes seemed tired and sleepy on her eggs, at first I thought she was just more restful and less agitated on her own. Today I noticed one of her eyes stayed shut most of the time, although shes very capable of opening it (and she did when I lifted her from her eggs to get a better look). I noticed her panting at one point briefly today but it was a very hot day and the thermometer in her brooder read 80 degrees F (it was so hot today) so I encouraged her off the nest and she took a dust bath, ate, drank and pooped. I put a tarp up over her brooding box for shade and it cooled down nicely. She settled after her break with no more panting, and its the only time I have seen her do it.

I just have this feeling something is not right, and I am worried. The first week or so if I came near her she would scream, growl and puff up, but today she was docile and lethargic. Can anybody help diagnose this eye? was she perhaps pecked in the eye? I have put neosporin on her eye and checked for lice/mites but found none.

 

[Eggcessive]

I would get some poultry NutriDrench, and give her 3 ml daily by mouth, or if you have other electrolytes, you can put them in her water. Gatorade or Pedialyte are good substitutes. Place a small cup of water in front of her, or dip her beak to get her started. Offer her some chopped egg or canned tuna or salmon. You may even want to take her off the nest because she looks pretty weak. I realize this would be difficult if you don't have another broody or an incubator. Most broodies will kind of go into a trance while sitting, but if she is not responding to you, she may be dehydrated or sick. I take my broodies off the nest twice a day to put them out to eat and drink, just in case. I also will sometimes put some egg or water right in front of them in the box. Fans in the coop with good air circulation from one end to the other can help some in hot weather.

 

[Andrzejsmom]

I would get some poultry NutriDrench, and give her 3 ml daily by mouth, or if you have other electrolytes, you can put them in her water. Gatorade or Pedialyte are good substitutes. Place a small cup of water in front of her, or dip her beak to get her started. Offer her some chopped egg or canned tuna or salmon. You may even want to take her off the nest because she looks pretty weak. I realize this would be difficult if you don't have another broody or an incubator. Most broodies will kind of go into a trance while sitting, but if she is not responding to you, she may be dehydrated or sick. I take my broodies off the nest twice a day to put them out to eat and drink, just in case. I also will sometimes put some egg or water right in front of them in the box. Fans in the coop with good air circulation from one end to the other can help some in hot weather.

I gave her some electrolytes today and she perked right up. Shes eating well actually. I softened some food with the juice from a tuna can and she gobbled up a lot. I am still worried about the eye. I called all the vets in the area I live in and could not get anyone to treat a chicken, actually one laughed at me. In Canada Tysal 50 is prescription only so I have to find someone to prescribe her if its respiratory or not. I am so worried. I raised this girl from a chick and shes the sweetest thing.

 

[Eggcessive]

Hopefully, she is just weak from not eating or drinking water enough. Many hens will eat chicken feed mixed with a lot of water in an oatmeal consistancy, and I will add a tsp of plain yogurt and some raw or cooked egg, but they will usually snatch the cooked egg alone. I wouldn't worry about Tylan if she is not showing respiratory signs.