Chicken with. Eye infection

[Waitatilisa]

I’ve been treating one of my aracuna chickens for a sinus infection which resulted in both eyes being affected. I was advised to being her indoors to treat her. She was on antibiotics and eye drops for about two weeks. I think we have nearly got on top of the eye infection, but it seems to have left her blind or partially sighted in one eye.
I have tried to reintegrate her with the flock. She has always been the lowest bird in the pecking order. She was being bullied and did a runner to get away. The problem being she isolated herself far away from the flock and doesn’t seem able to get back in with them.
Ive made a smaller penned area for her, so she is forced to be closer to them, but they can’t hurt her. She does eat and drink.
my main problem is that I feel she is just so sad. She mostly Just hunkers down and sleeps. She doesn’t do any normal chicken things, and I worry she is depressed.
I really don’t know what the next step should be. I’d like her to feel ok to at least be around the flock, and not just run away like she has been.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Welcome To BYC

Can you post some photos of your hen and her eye?

She may not be completely recovered. staying hunkered down and sleeping it doesn't sound like it. What medication and dosing did you give?

Reintegration can be difficult, so keep her next to the others may be helpful, but she needs to be fit in order to put her back.

 

[Waitatilisa]

Thank you for your reply. It has been a battle for sure. She’s been on eye drops, and also pain medication and doxy to try and fight the infection. I was having to syringe it into her as she wouldn’t take it any other way. You’re right, I don’t think she’s 100% but she wasnt making any progress alone any more, so thought it would be better if she was at least out with her flock. The doxy seems to make her feel worse.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

How many days does she have left of the abx?

Oh, I agree, getting her outside near the others is usually better for them.
Depending on the cause of the respiratory illness, Tylan may be more effective. Some use Baytril, just know it's banned for use in poultry, do your research on that.

Is she blind or does she have pus covering her eye?

 

[Waitatilisa]

One eye is much better but the other one seems to have the third eyelid covering it, and it’s got a little goo underenath it. I had almost eradicated it, put her back in with the flock and I think the stress has bought it back on again.
im in otago, nz so Im not sure about some of the drugs mentioned.
she has lots of doxy left but she seems to go downhill on that.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Can you see a vet?

If you have photos of the eye, that may be helpful. Sometimes pus accumulates and has to be physically removed/pressed out. The pus won't dry up on it's own even with antibiotics.

 

[Waitatilisa]

Can you see a vet?

If you have photos of the eye, that may be helpful. Sometimes pus accumulates and has to be physically removed/pressed out. The pus won't dry up on it's own even with antibiotics.

Thank you. I have seen a vet who specialises in chickens. And I’ve been removing the gunk daily- using a warm salty solution and then putting the eye drops in. W safe currently on our third bottle! I think I was almost on top of it, both eyes looked really good and then I put her back with the flock and she went into panic mode and stressed herself out.

 

[Banana01]

I’ve been treating one of my aracuna chickens for a sinus infection which resulted in both eyes being affected. I was advised to being her indoors to treat her. She was on antibiotics and eye drops for about two weeks. I think we have nearly got on top of the eye infection, but it seems to have left her blind or partially sighted in one eye.
I have tried to reintegrate her with the flock. She has always been the lowest bird in the pecking order. She was being bullied and did a runner to get away. The problem being she isolated herself far away from the flock and doesn’t seem able to get back in with them.
Ive made a smaller penned area for her, so she is forced to be closer to them, but they can’t hurt her. She does eat and drink.
my main problem is that I feel she is just so sad. She mostly Just hunkers down and sleeps. She doesn’t do any normal chicken things, and I worry she is depressed.
I really don’t know what the next step should be. I’d like her to feel ok to at least be around the flock, and not just run away like she has been.

It seems like you are saying her eyes are fine now, but you are worried she is sad.

Better to be sad than blind. The worst problem is over it seems.