- Dec 29, 2011
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I have a big problem (maybe)? Over the last few years I have had 1 or 2 older chickens go blind in one eye. Never thought much about it they lived with me for 3 years. never had any problems with other chickens hurting them, etc. I sold them to someone who only wanted a small lay of eggs each week and did not care that they were blind in one eye.. (I keep younger hens because I sell eggs).
This year I purchased 3 groups of chicks a few months apart from the feed store 20 in total. They started out fine all are 5 months and older. I now have 5 of these young chickens blind in one eye and on blind in both eyes, have the white film covering the eyes, or the eyes have turned white?
I am wondering if it the soil in my barn? It is an old rabbit barn that I converted into a chicken coup. These groups of chickens because it is so hot out spend the majority of their time in the barn because I keep it cool with a swamp cooler. They dig up the soil to take dirt baths. I recently tore out another rabbit barn so it is now just a shade and in the morning and evening they also take dirt baths out there - All the chickens take dirt baths out there; I see no problem with my older chickens eyes.
Is it possible they are picking up something from the rabbits? I cleaned everything up and brought in new top soil, I have been using the barn I turned into the coup for 5 years now and clean it weekly. I do not have a vet nearby that knows anything about poultry or waterfowl, I found that out the hard way big bills and no answers when I had goose problems & I had to put the goose down.
Should I treat the affected chickens with something and pitch their eggs for awhile? They look great, shiny feathers, good weight, laying eggs daily, their chicken poo looks like all the others, not runny or odd colored, no bad smells and they eat like the others (all the time
. They just are going blind and I am not sure why? Bad group of chicks that are just now having issues?
Thoughts and comments are appreciated. I don't know if I should put the effected group down. Put all 42 of my girls down in case it is disease?
If I have to do that, I don't think I have the heart to start over...
Thanks,
Roxanne
This year I purchased 3 groups of chicks a few months apart from the feed store 20 in total. They started out fine all are 5 months and older. I now have 5 of these young chickens blind in one eye and on blind in both eyes, have the white film covering the eyes, or the eyes have turned white?
I am wondering if it the soil in my barn? It is an old rabbit barn that I converted into a chicken coup. These groups of chickens because it is so hot out spend the majority of their time in the barn because I keep it cool with a swamp cooler. They dig up the soil to take dirt baths. I recently tore out another rabbit barn so it is now just a shade and in the morning and evening they also take dirt baths out there - All the chickens take dirt baths out there; I see no problem with my older chickens eyes.
Is it possible they are picking up something from the rabbits? I cleaned everything up and brought in new top soil, I have been using the barn I turned into the coup for 5 years now and clean it weekly. I do not have a vet nearby that knows anything about poultry or waterfowl, I found that out the hard way big bills and no answers when I had goose problems & I had to put the goose down.
Should I treat the affected chickens with something and pitch their eggs for awhile? They look great, shiny feathers, good weight, laying eggs daily, their chicken poo looks like all the others, not runny or odd colored, no bad smells and they eat like the others (all the time
Thoughts and comments are appreciated. I don't know if I should put the effected group down. Put all 42 of my girls down in case it is disease?
Thanks,
Roxanne
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