Chick with Swollen Eye

[jeflin]

I recently (3/18) bought 6 guinea keets from a local breeder who is NPIP. I also bought 3 Cochin chicks from her. I noticed when we got them home one of the guinea keets had a swollen eye. I thought maybe it had gotten pecked or scratched in the box on the way home. He seemed fine otherwise. The next morning, that keet was dead under the brooder plate. All others seemed fine. I contacted the breeder who said she’d replace for no charge. A couple days later we picked up 3 more keets. When we went to pick up she had an older Cochin chick in the brooder who had a swollen eye and was noticeably sick. That day when we got home with the 3 New Guinea keets, another keet was dead in the brooder. The rest have been fine since. Now today, one of the Cochins has a swollen eye. He will open it up briefly, but is mostly keeping it closed. He’s eating and drinking and so far seems fine. So now I’m freaking out and I’m kicking myself for thinking I brought home something that could affect my other birds. I’ve got them in the same brooder as 8 Buff Orpingtons and 8 bantams (purchased from TSC). I’m hatching new birds out today and tomorrow. What should I do? There’s no smell so hopefully not coryza. What else could it be? I don’t have access to a bird vet around my area. Any help is greatly appreciated!

 

[Kiki]

Oh boy it sounds like she may has a disease in her flock. Which state are you in?


NPIP doesn't mean disease free. In most states it just means free of one disease that's not really around anymore, this:

 

[jeflin]

Im in Oklahoma. I’m really worried. I’ve got adult birds outside and newly hatched chicks inside. Any advice on where to go from here?

 

[Kiki]

Im in Oklahoma. I’m really worried. I’ve got adult birds outside and newly hatched chicks inside. Any advice on where to go from here?

Separate out the birds that came from that place and hope they aren't carrying a disease.

 

[jeflin]

Is there any way to find out if they are carrying a disease? Any tests? And now that they’ve been with the other chicks for over a week, wouldn’t they all have been exposed to whatever it is.

 

[Mamatomany123]

Is there any way to find out if they are carrying a disease? Any tests? And now that they’ve been with the other chicks for over a week, wouldn’t they all have been exposed to whatever it is.

Yes, if theyve been with the other chicks then all of them are exposed. You can send in the dead birds to be tested. Definitely keep them away from any other birds. You can even carry it in on your shoes and clothes so you need to be extra careful. I would also co tact the seller and let her know that shes selling sick. Irds. Someone recently did this to me and now my entire flock is MG positive.

 

[jeflin]

Yes, if theyve been with the other chicks then all of them are exposed. You can send in the dead birds to be tested. Definitely keep them away from any other birds. You can even carry it in on your shoes and clothes so you need to be extra careful. I would also co tact the seller and let her know that shes selling sick. Irds. Someone recently did this to me and now my entire flock is MG positive.

Unfortunately I already disposed of the dead keets. I’m going be calling the extension office today to see what they recommend. I’m so sorry someone did that to you.