Chick Eye Issue or Normal?

[sunsetfarms170]

We have a black copper maran chick, age around 6 weeks who has a droopy looking eye. Is this normal, it seems to just be the left eye?

 

[Isaac 0]

Hello, there. Sorry, you haven't received a reply yet.

Is the chick exhibiting any other symptoms besides the eye?

It does appear her eye is a little swollen, and watery. In chicks, there are several conditions that may cause such as a problem such as trauma, respiratory disease, specifically, mycoplasma gallisepticum, or coryza. Environmental issues such as dusty bedding, feed, can cause irritation of the eye as well.

Regardless of the matter, I would start off by flushing the eye with some saline or eyewash, wiping off any gunk with a damp towel, then applying an ophthalmic ointment such as Terramycin which you can find at most feed stores like TSC. Link below.

https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/pfizer-terramycin-opthalmic-ointment-1-8-oz

If there is no improvement after a week, and she starts developing other symptoms such as sneezing, lethargy, rattled breathing, etc. I may start her on an antibiotic such as tetracycline, fluoroquinolones, or doxycycline which would address both an infection and a respiratory disease.

 

[sunsetfarms170]

Will do. We just changed bedding the day before so maybe some dust too. I'll keep you posted and try the saline and terramycin

 

[Isaac 0]

Will do. We just changed bedding the day before so maybe some dust too. I'll keep you posted and try the saline and terramycin

Best of luck. Please do keep up posted.