Crusty Eyes, Lethargic

[RobParks]

I noticed this morning my Colombian has crusty eyes and is lethargic. What could this be?

 

[Eggcessive]

If your chicken didn't get pecked in the eye, he may have a respiratory disease such as MG or coryza. Is he new to you? He looks lethargic, and nasal drainage, swollen eye or face, or gurgles (rales) would be other symptoms. Most respiratory diseases are very contagious and will make carriers of your flock, so you should isolate him. Antibiotics such as Tylan 50 injections, oxytetracycline, and erythromycin may treat symptoms, but will not cure these diseases. Most people would cull if they are certain it is MG or coryza, but a closed flock is a must otherwise. Here is a good link to read about those diseases and symptoms: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ps044

 

[RobParks]

This is a new bird. We got a pair at a poultry show two weeks ago. It's just one eye that seems to be affected. I had a white hen have the same problem a few months ago. She was sick for a couple weeks, but then her eye cleared up and she seemed normal again. Also, last summer I had several birds with lesions on their comb. They all cleared up and seemed fine. I thought it might be chicken pox, but I don't know. So far I have not lost any birds to disease since I started raising chickens a year ago, but I am worried.

 

[Eggcessive]

The new guy could have gotten it from your bird who was sick a few weeks ago, since she is a carrier. Or he could have had something brewing from his old flock. Many respiratory diseases can show up in 5-6 days after being exposed. That is why it is always best to quarantine new birds for 4-6 weeks, so that symptoms will show up. I would use the Tylan50 injections to treat him if you keep him. Dosage is Tylan50 1 ml into the breast muscle daily for 5 days. Use 3cc syringes with a 25 gauge 5/8 inch needle. Just remember that since you had the other sick bird in the past, any new birds coming in will be exposed. And any birds or hatching eggs that you sell or give away will possibly infect others. If it were me, I would check with your state vet about getting him tested to know which disease you are dealing with--that way you would know which medicine is better, and then you could vaccinate any new birds. Also in California, University of Cal. at Davis will do free necropsies on sick birds. Here is the info about contacting the state vet: http://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/animal_dis_spec/poultry/participants.shtml

 

[cballenger]

I'm having the same issue. I only had 4 chickens. Two came from a new place and I did not quarantine them like I should have. The news got sick and I culled them to try and save my other two. Now my last two are sick. I hate to cull them. I don't know if I should just let them go, deep clean and start over, or try to save them. But then when I get new birds I won't know how to prevent them from getting sick. I'm leaning towards cutting my losses and starting over since I can really only have 4 birds with my coop and space.