Chicken's eyes crusted shut

[LanaClerk]

Two wyandottes from the same coop w/ either one or both eyes seemingly crusted shut. Can't tell if it's a respiratory thing or something else.

Not from my flock, but from a farm I volunteer at. I only feed at this farm once/week or so, so I'm generally not involved in the animals' health issues and am only now seeing this issue w/ the hens.

What could be the cause?

 

[Debbie292d]

Awe, the poor things!

It could be infectious coryza or MG (mycoplasma gallisepticum), or could be from a bully or other reasons, but the first treatment regardless would be to isolate them from the rest of the flock, rinse their eyes with warm water or saline solution, and put some Terramycin or triple antibiotic ointment (without painkiller) in their eyes a couple of times a day. Vitamins in their water would help too, like Poultry Cell or Nutri-Drench.

Is there a chance that one or both could be taken to a vet to determine what it is? If not, will they agree to an antibiotic?

 

[Eggcessive]

I agree that rinsing an eye with saline or applying a warm wet washcloth or compress held to the eye for a few minutes can get the eye open. The antibiotic ointment can help to keep them opening. Eye drainage (think tears) can become sticky and lead to them crusting and shutting. If you see any bubbles or foam in the eye, swelling of the eyelid or face, or mucus drainage from nostrils or beak, there may be a respiratory disease. Those can be viruses or bacterial. Pecking the eyes may cause them to drain as well. Use great caution if you have a flock of your own, washing hands, changing clothes, and disinfecting shoes after returning home. You don’t want to infect your flock if these birds are sick.