Eye injury - barely eating

[Serchick]

One of our lower pecking order hens was pecked in her right eye. We've given her some extra love and protein heavy treats, vitamins in her water. She was eating very little & having trouble with her aim. We separated her for a day in a little rabbit hutch in the run so she could see & be seen but keep her safe from the top chicken who was pecking her injured eye more. But then she wasn't eating at all. What else can I do for her? We cannot afford vet care for her. There is no visible injury to her eye. Although she is mostly keeping it closed, she can open it. She is not scratching about or dust bathing, but during our evening free range time she has mostly been keeping up with the flock (except when she got stuck in a bush).

 

[Eggcessive]

You can sometimes find Terramycin eye ointment at feed stores if you ask, and you can apply that 2-3 times a day. I would try feeding her from a small bowl up to her beak. Some possible things would be watery chicken feed, scrambled bits of egg, canned tuna, or canned cat food. If you notice that she is being bullied by a particular hen you can search for pinless peepers a device that is put on the beak to keep them from seeing their victim.

 

[Serchick]

Thank you! Our local store has the eye cream, I will try it. We've done cat food & soaked our feed in regular bowls or on the floor of her little coop. Also, the kids hand fed worms & meal worms. She's not normally bullied, it's perhaps just her eye looking different? I'll keep it in mind if the pecking doesn't stop. I appreciate the quick reply!

 

[Chicken101-07]

You could also just mix a few spoons of salt in water if it's not that serious,it will work,wash it a few times a day

 

[Eggcessive]

You could also just mix a few spoons of salt in water if it's not that serious,it will work,wash it a few times a day

I would not use more than 1 tsp of salt in a quart of water boiled and cooled. Saline eye wash is also available and better, but the ointment would help if there is infection.

 

[Serchick]

I got the eye ointment & gave her some. We put it directly on her eye & around it, I hope that's right. Her eye was very cloudy. There was some yellowish brown discharge in the corner & the lid was red & puffy. The box says to use it 2-3x per day but doesnt say for how long. I dont want to stop too soon & have it come back or to use it too much ... does anyone know how long to use it for? And should we avoid her eggs?

 

[Eggcessive]

I would use it for at least a week. I worry about the eye. I would get some saline eye wash and rinse the eye before putting the ointment in.

 

[Serchick]

I'll give her a rinse before her evening dose. Thank you.