Deer Ticks / Chickens with Swollen eyes

[nhichak]

Hi Everyone:

This is my first year owning chickens, and I've come across my first "scare"

I own six chickens and they love to roam. Their coop is open all day for them to return at will, and they are kept inside all night. I've noticed when they come back in they all have nymph deer ticks around their eyes. At first I thought one had black skin tags, as that's what they looked like when they fill up with blood but took tweezers and pulled one off and found out the truth. So I've been pulling the ticks off of them as I don't want their eyes to get irritated and I honestly don't know if the ticks could harm the chickens. They are only around their eyes - none on their legs, etc.

I took my rooster to the vet this past Saturday because I noticed the eye where he had ticks previously was now a little watery with some bubbles in the corner. We also had a string of very hot days, and he was acting lethargic. He was still eating a lot but I had not seen him drink so I had been giving him water with an eye dropper. He has a "bossy" attitude, so I knew once he easily let me pick him up and check him out that he wasn't feeling well. The vet looked him over and thought he might have slight conjunctivitis from the ticks collecting around the eyes and prescribed me drops (Ciprofloxacin)

Cue two days later, this particular rooster looks fine and is back to normal, but one of my hens now has a swollen/puffy eye, and another's eye was watery and a little crusty. The one with the watery eye I gave some of the eye drops to, and the other I cleaned around her eye and put some neosporin.

They have no other symptoms. Everyone is eating and drinking as normal. I put some electrolytes in their water to help them a bit.

Has anyone had a similar experience or any recommendations on how I can treat or even start preventative measures in case this is the start of something else? Not sure how to reduce general puffiness/swollen area around the eyes.

All advice is appreciated!


Here is her puffy eye:





Here is her normal eye:

 

[emmaie892000]

Hmm. Could be a very slight infection from the ticks or another scratch of some sort.
She looks alert and healthy though, so I would continue with what you're doing and keep an eye on her.

EDIT: I almost forgot, could be a bug bite as well. Chickens can get bit by mosquitoes on areas not protected by feathers

 

[MrsBrooke]

Poor babies!

I can't find any easily attainable information about any disease spread by deer ticks to chickens... Everyone agrees that chickens are second only to guineas in tick control.

I would rub some Neosporin on her swollen parts and keep an eye out. Tick bites may cause them to itch and scratch, which can mean infection if they have a poopy, dirty toenail and an open sore.

Have you noticed sneezing, wheezing, coughing, or drippy nostrils? Any one hunching or puffed up? Does anyone have a weird smell around their heads (you'd know it if you smelled it)?

Keep us posted!

MrsB

 

[nhichak]

Everyone smells like they usually do, and no sneezing / wheezing / coughing has popped up yet. I did put some Neosporin around her eyes so hopefully that will help a bit. Sounds like I might need to just monitor and see what happens. I placed an order today for some antibiotics juuuuust in case.

 

[MrsBrooke]

What kind of antibiotics?

Also, welcome to BYC.

MrsB

 

[nhichak]

Thanks! I've been lurking for awhile, finally time to post on my own

I purchased Tylan 50, VetRX, Collodial Silver drops, and Poultry Nutri-Drench. I figured it's best to have things on hand vs. panicking when something does come up and trying to quickly order.

Is there anything else you would recommend?

It could very well be from other bug bites...I did a deep clean of their coop and washed it down with vinegar, all new shavings etc when I first noticed this in my Rooster in case it's something lurking in the coop.

They are all out running around outside right now and having fun, so they act totally normal. I probably feel worse about their swollen eyes than they do!

 

[MrsBrooke]

Tylan 50 treats respiratory disease, but I'm sure you know that!

Definitely keep Corid on hand. You can get either the 20% powder or the 9.6% liquid from Tractor Supply and most feed stores. Valbazen liquid goat wormer and Safe Guard paste for horses should also be in your medicine cabinet, along with Epsom salts, and chlorihexidine (does the same thing as hydro perox without eating flesh).

Gloves, syringes/needles, and other "common sense" items are good, too.

Unsure what kind you are using, but I hear cedar shavings are bad for chickens.

MrsB

 

[cutipatooti]

I have the same problem with the nymph ticks. I think they can pull them off other areas of their body but not their face. I have a lot of wild barberry bushes and they attract ticks. As for the swollen eyes eye bubbles and whatnot. Could it be signs of CRD?

 

[littlemichelle]

I have the EXACT same thing going on, how are your birds?

 

[cutipatooti]

I have the EXACT same thing going on, how are your birds?

I have all ages and have seen ticks on just out of the brooder chicks as well as adults. I don't know if it would cause swollen eyes. If they are infested with ticks and or mites it can lower their immune system and they may show the respiratory signs.

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