Cause of sunken eyes?

[Alexandra33]

Here I am with yet another question - I noticed while editing pictures of the flock yesterday that our 1 1/2 year old Olive Egger's eyes appear strangely sunken. Did a quick assessment of her overall condition, and pretty much everything seems normal. Her weight is normal, she's filled out, vent area is clean, no discharge from anywhere, no respiratory issues, legs look perfect, appetite seems great, and she's been foraging with the rest of the girlies. Only other thing that's a little odd is the fact that her hackles look ratty, but that could be attributed to the need for a molt? It seems she hasn't been like this for a terribly long time. Should I be concerned?


Thanks!
~Alex

 

[boskelli1571]

If she seems ok, I would keep a close eye on her. Sunken eyes could mean she is dehydrated - has she been drinking ok? Keep us posted, I'm intrigued!

 

[Alexandra33]

If she seems ok, I would keep a close eye on her. Sunken eyes could mean she is dehydrated - has she been drinking ok? Keep us posted, I'm intrigued!

Thank you for the response!

Dehydration makes a lot of sense. I'll be watching more than usual just to see how much and often she visits the waterer.

I sure will!

~Alex

 

[dogkahuna]

I briefly had a similar problem. When I checked the water supply closely, the water wasn't particularly pristine. Once I replaced the water, the problem went away. I learned not to just check the H2O level looking at the outside of the translucent waterer, but to check the water quality by unscrewing the lid.

Good luck!

 

[Alexandra33]

I briefly had a similar problem. When I checked the water supply closely, the water wasn't particularly pristine. Once I replaced the water, the problem went away. I learned not to just check the H2O level looking at the outside of the translucent waterer, but to check the water quality by unscrewing the lid.

Good luck!

Thanks for the input! I try to give them fresh water every day.

Elle's been staying quite well-hydrated, but the sunken eyes persist. I wonder if this is simply how she'll look for the rest of her life?

~Alex

 

[boskelli1571]

Thanks for the input! I try to give them fresh water every day.

Elle's been staying quite well-hydrated, but the sunken eyes persist. I wonder if this is simply how she'll look for the rest of her life?

~Alex

Try putting some electrolyte solution in the water for a couple of days, see if things improve.

 

[CloneFly]

Hello! I know this is an old thread, but out of curiosity, did your he's condition ever correct itself? I have an amererucana that's about the same age who's displaying the same symptoms. Her weight is normal and she's about midtier in the pecking order