chicken eye injury???

[OldMissionChick]

I just went out to give our birds (7 ducks & 8 chickens) a treat. I first noticed one of our 9 month old Black Jersey Giants was around but not eating. Then I noticed she was holding 1 eye closed. It looks like the edges of the eye lid are slightly swollen. There have been no changes in food and were moved to their new coop about 1-2 months ago. The only big change is the temperature has dropped and we have gale force winds. I am not sure what to do. Any advice is appreciated. Here are some pictures.

 

[OldMissionChick]

*

 

[orumpoultry]

She could have something in her eye. If you can catch her, look the eye over carefully. Wash with saline and treat with opthamalic eye ointment. Best of luck.

 

[OldMissionChick]

She could have something in her eye. If you can catch her, look the eye over carefully. Wash with saline and treat with opthamalic eye ointment. Best of luck.

thank you. I have some saline eye wash in the medicine cabinet. Any particular ointment?

 

[orumpoultry]

Vetericyn works best if you can get it. If not, make sure it is pain relief free. Pain relievers aren't good for poultry kidneys. They'll shut them down.

 

[OldMissionChick]

Vetericyn works best if you can get it. If not, make sure it is pain relief free. Pain relievers aren't good for poultry kidneys. They'll shut them down.

I know out local feed store carries Vetericyn. I almost bought it when our duck had bumblefoot. Thanks for the advice.

 

[orumpoultry]

Of course!

 

[Eggcessive]

I know out local feed store carries Vetericyn. I almost bought it when our duck had bumblefoot. Thanks for the advice.

Vetericyn eye gel or eye wash is what you need for the eyes, and use it twice a day. Terramycin eye ointment would be a good alternative.

 

[jmccabe3]

i have found the reason most often with one or two chickens is eyeworm. the eye swells and can be crusty. if you gently open the eye you may see a pale yellow orb. the worm is inside the orb. very gently push around from the outside of the eye until the orb is right over the eyeball. then very gently squeeze top and bottom and pop it out like a hard contact lens. if you have let it go too long the eye will be pushed in away from the eyelid by the eyeworm. gently push from outside and get that thing front and center. pop it out. i use collodial silver afterwards.
several times a week i go in to the coop at day's end and look at every eye. sometimes i just walk around and check eyes. it can be passed around. prevention and early intervention is best.
maybe include this on your "possible causes" list.