Chicken eye problem. Please help!

[viperkl]

Hi all! I am the owner of 9 laying hens less than a year old. Two of my hens have started keeping one of eye closed. I have tried searching the net but haven't found much. They are both acting pretty normal but obviously something is wrong. Can anyone help please? I realize it's a horrible picture.
she looks like she is sleeping but her other eye is wide open. I believe it's possible that we may have fowl pox also as I have seen some bumps on a a few of their crowns but I can't say that they are one the two that are having the eye problems. One hen started closing her eye about 3 days before the other.

 

[Eggcessive]

Welcome to BYC. Maybe tomorrow try to get some pics closeup of the possible pox. How is your ventilation in your coop? Poor ventilation, moldy wet conditions, dust, ammonia odors, and too much heat can cause respiratory issues in chickens. Closing eyes may be from irritation from the dust or ammonia, but also can be an early sign of respiratory disease. Watch for bubbles or foam in eyes, runny nose, sneeze or cough, or swelling around the eyes or face. If you can, applying a lubricating eye drop, saline, or Terramycin or Neosporin ointment to the eyes may help. If there is any drainage, I would use the antibiotic ointment.

 

[viperkl]

Thank you so much for the reply! I will try and get better pics tomorrow! My chickens can't free range due to my 2 dogs but they have a pretty decent set up. It is mostly dirt though so I'm sure it gets dusty when they scratch. I haven't noticed sneezing or drainage from the sinuses but one of their eyes may have some goop in it. I will get the ointment tomorrow! I also purchased some vet rx from tsc and will give that a go too. This is approx 1/2 of the part of the coop that I can close and they roost up high. There is also a chain link area attached that they can come and go in during the day.

 

[viperkl]

 

[viperkl]

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[viperkl]

 

[Eggcessive]

If it is pox, which I can't tell about, it may have to run it's course over a few weeks. Do you smell a bad odor around the heads? If it is a respiratory disease such as mycoplasma, then you would be wise to treat them for it with oxytetracycline or Tylan Powder in the water. Tylan 50 injectable can be given as a shot or used orally once a day for 5 days. Needles and syringes will be needed for Tylan 50. Both are at most feed stores in the cattle section. Let us know if you need a dosage. Vet Rx is only herbal oils with camphor and pine oil, and probably not worth the money. Here is a link to read about respiratory diseases such as MG, bronchitis, coryza, and others: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ps044

 

[Lynette22]

I know I can't be much help but a few of my hens have the same problem...that one eye closed thing. We have been treating with antibotics through eye droppers...my favorite rooster really had it bad, with the eye closed, gurgling and drainage...we got him through it but only to find it starting in other hens...we did recently change their bedding to Koop clean and wondering if that had anything to do with it. It is supposed to reduce moisture and reduce smells and dust. Other than the eye thing they seem to be ok, eating, etc. I, too, have tried to research this but haven't found much. You are not alone. Good luck and hope we don't lose any of our wonderful hens.

 

[viperkl]

Thank you both so much for the replies! My girls are acting fine as well! I sat with them for a while today listening for any sneezing or coughing but didn't hear any. Unfortunately the one that has it the worst is of course my most skittish hen! It takes an act of congress to get near her sometimes. I'm going to do what I can to doctor the eye and try the antibiotics if need be. I'm attached to all my girls and have them more for pets than egg producers.