Eye injury to Rooster

[CackleBabies]

I have a mixed flock of 13 with 2 roosters, and yesterday, someone dropped a stray young cockerel in my yard. Needless to say, he and my dominant rooster had a run in, and my rooster's eye is shut. As he's a silkie and his eye and surrounding areas are all black, it's hard to tell what the damage is and if he's lost the eye or if it's just swollen closed. So I have a number of questions and requests for help. My silkie and the other rooster (buff brahma bantam) are 2 years old, as are 5 hens; 3 hens are just a year this year, and I have 4 pullets (not yet laying). We live in Northern West Virginia.

1. What kind of first aid can I render to my silkie to help his eye?
2. My husband and I have isolated the stray cockerel and intend to rehome him. I want to keep him away from my flock not just because of the social upset, but I don't know his health status. His neck feathers are sparse so I'm not sure if that's a factor of his age or health, or if they were scratched off in the scuffle with my silkie. What, if anything, should I be doing with this cockerel (as I know nothing about this bird except that he showed up in our yard yesterday)?

Any suggestions and tips are welcome.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Can you post some photos of your silkies injuries and the cockerel that was dropped off?

I'm sorry to hear all this happened.

For your silkie, if you haven't' done so, you gently cleanse the eye with saline to help flush any dirt/debris out. You can use something like Vetericyn eye gel to help soothe the eye if you feel it needs it - if it's cut you can also use Terramycin eye ointment.

Keep watch on him to see that he is drinking, if you have poultry vitamins add those to his water for a couple of days. He may love a little extra protein like egg, tuna or beef liver in addition to his normal feed.

You are wise to keep the "new" bird separated - hopefully you can find him a new home.For the "new" bird - check him over for lice/mites. Watch him for any signs of illness, lethargy, coughing, sneezing, etc. Since it sounds like he is young - feed him some chick starter/grower if you have it.

If you have animal control where you live, you may want to contact them to see if any shelters take him - you could try craigslist or facebook, explain the situation and if someone is willing to take him.

Here's some great tips on quarantine and bio-security:
http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2016/08/biosecurity-for-backyard-chickens.html
http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2012/12/quarantine-of-backyard-chickens-why-and.html

 

[CackleBabies]

Thank you! I'll try to post some pictures shortly, after I get eye medicines you suggest. They should probably be part of my chicken first aid kit.

 

[Abriana]

Good that you are separating the dropped off guy. What breed is he, do you know?