Chick has crusty eye, what could the problem be?

[Pumpkinpup]

I have one silver marans chick who has been a bit lathargic the past few days and today she has a crusty looking eye. Only one eye is effected and she eats and drinks normal. I have her on medicated chick starter and clean water with a bit of vitamin and electrolite in it. She is on clean pine shavings bedding just as all my chicks have always been. Nothing is defferent from anything I have ever done in the past. I have isolated her in a box to herself now and she has a lamp with a red 40 watt bulb to warm her. Any suggestions would be great. I've never encountered anything like this in all the years I have had chickens and all my other chicks from this hatch are fine so am completely stumped

 

[chicksinthemachine]

My grandmother always used a solution of boric acid and warm tap water to treat crusty eyes(1 Tbsp to 8 fl oz water, apply with a Q tip) I have used this method for years with great results.

 

[KellyHM]

There are a lot of viruses that can cause mild respiratory signs and/or conjunctivitis. If it's a mild form of the virus and doesn't get complicated by a bacterial infection, the chick should recover on its own. Just be careful b/c recovered birds can be carriers and transmit the virus to other members of the flock (depending on what it is).

 

[justusnak]

I just went through this with a barred rock pullett. Same eye, same crusty look. I cleaned it up with warm water...and put them all on Sulmet. She is alot better now. Hope your gets better soon.

 

[Pumpkinpup]

What is Sulmet, justusnak? I have never heard of that before. Can I get it at a feed store?