Eye issue should I panic?

[CrazyWifey]

Utter nonsense. If that's true, then how would chicks with a broody hen survive? She takes them with her off the nest when they are only a few days old. She sure isn't waiting until they are adolescents to bring them outside (and she likely would have weened them long before that point). They absolutely do have an immune system well before then, obviously, the area should be kept reasonably clean, but they definitely don't need a sterile environment. I usually have them outside full time by 5 weeks but do trips outside well before then and I give them clumps of grass with the dirt when they are just days old. Never had an issue

Yeah I ended up deleting my post and left the group after being told that. These guys did have a few trips out before fully being out but it was my other run before I moved a momma and 2 chicks over to it. I do clean the coops and runs at least 2x a week and clean any leftover scraps or the fresh fruits and veggies they don’t eat as they go in to roost.

 

[nuthatched]

So I was told by the admin that chickens shouldn’t be outside til they are 12 weeks Old cause they have no immune system. I have never heard of that before. I have always taken them out around 6-7 weeks when we are above 85 in the day and make sure they are in the coop or back in side at night if it’s lower then 50s and they are off heat by that time as they are in my az room and it stays on the warmer side with the heat lamp I use for quails and the 2 heat plates for chicks. Plus I have windows open in there til I turn the ac on. In our winters I do keep them inside til they are 8 weeks old or fully feathered.

That's silly. Hens have raised chicks outside since chickens have chickened.

My 2 weekers are already outside with the big ladies.

 

[FrostRanger]

As for what's wrong, I'd reach out to your state poultry extension for testing options. We can speculate all day, but testing will give you definite answers

Also again, don't blame yourself. These things happen and illness can strike a 12 week old just as easily as a 7 week old, waiting probably wouldn't have done more than delay things

 

[Debbie292d]

So I was told by the admin that chickens shouldn’t be outside til they are 12 weeks Old cause they have no immune system.

I busted out laughing at that. That's why I really wish people in those poultry groups on Facebook who need help, would come here.

If that's not getting better in a day or two, what I'd do, just to be on the safe side, so they don't get any eye infections, is rinse their eyes with a saline solution, then apply Terramycin or a triple antibiotic ointment (without painkiller). I'd do that twice a day.

 

[CrazyWifey]

As for what's wrong, I'd reach out to your state poultry extension for testing options. We can speculate all day, but testing will give you definite answers

Also again, don't blame yourself. These things happen and illness can strike a 12 week old just as easily as a 7 week old, waiting probably wouldn't have done more than delay things

Thanks! They are on doxy water and terramycin now. All my other chickens and quail I never had this. The silkies are still a new breed for me and these are technically my son’s chickens. Thank you for your help!!

I busted out laughing at that. That's why I really wish people in those poultry groups on Facebook who need help, would come here.

If that's not getting better in a day or two, what I'd do, just to be on the safe side, so they don't get any eye infections, is rinse their eyes with a saline solution, then apply Terramycin or a triple antibiotic ointment (without painkiller). I'd do that twice a day.

Yeah it was a chicken vet group to. yes I got some from a friend and the eyes are already looking better now. The white chick I can’t tell which one of the 3 had it. She suggested I do doxy for 5 days to and treat everyone as there are 13 in that run til the other chicks are older. I’m planning on getting some next paycheck to keep on hand for the future.