Eye Shut and Kinda Lethargic Hen

[ObiHenKanobi]

A few weeks ago I posted about one of my hens who had a bubbly eye. The bubbles went away and she seemed fine. All the other hens in my flock have been fine.

Then today when I went to let them free range, I noticed that same hen has her eye shut tight and doesn’t seem to be able to open it. It’s the same eye that was bubbly before. It’s not swollen, just shut tight like when a person gets pinkeye. She’s also just kind of standing in one spot, maybe walking slowly, instead of exploring the yard like the other hens. I’m attaching a photo of her eye. Any ideas what is happening?

This is my favorite chicken due to her calm personality, but she has been very sickly since I got her as an adult about six months ago. She doesn’t lay anymore and always seems to be feeling poorly. She can’t even get up on a roost without a ladder.

Thanks for your help!

 

[ObiHenKanobi]

Quick update: she isn’t even walking around anymore, she just found a corner of the yard and is standing there looking unwell and unhappy.

 

[ObiHenKanobi]

Just bumping this thread in case anyone can help.

 

[CluckerFamily]

Did you wash it out with anything? Maybe there is dirt in her eye.

 

[ObiHenKanobi]

Did you wash it out with anything? Maybe there is dirt in her eye.

I can’t open it. It’s really shut tight. Should I force it open and flush it with saline?

 

[CluckerFamily]

I’m not sure about forcing it open but I would use saline to try to flush it out.
I first try laying her down on her side and drop some drops on her eye to see if they would work their way into the eye. This would give me an idea as to how closed it is.

 

[CluckerFamily]

Is she eating and drinking still?
Is she still with the flock or do you have her in isolation?

 

[ObiHenKanobi]

Is she eating and drinking still?
Is she still with the flock or do you have her in isolation?

I haven’t seen her eat or drink today. I isolated her from the flock after she spent almost the entire time they were free ranging standing in one spot like a zombie.

 

[CluckerFamily]

What is the temperature where you live?
if it is too hot maybe electrolytes would help? That is always my go to on hot days.
Does she have any other symptoms?
Have you checked for lice/mites, is her crop full or flat, does she have any worms in her poop that you see? Is her poop normal?

 

[ObiHenKanobi]

What is the temperature where you live?
if it is too hot maybe electrolytes would help? That is always my go to on hot days.
Does she have any other symptoms?
Have you checked for lice/mites, is her crop full or flat, does she have any worms in her poop that you see? Is her poop normal?

No lice or mites, no worms in her poop but she has had really loose poops for several weeks. I add garlic powder to their feed and occasionally a small amount of DA to help prevent worms, then apple cider vinegar to their water.

Her crop is flat and she feels like she has lost some weight. She’s a Brahma and usually feels like a big bird. She feels almost fragile. She has been loosing a lot of feathers and it looked like she was molting since the feathers are growing back.

When I pick her up her neck goes at an odd angle instead of leaning her head back to look at me as usual. I figured this was just because she can’t see me with her eye shut but maybe not. Her neck kinda lolls down.

It was about 80 today - good idea about adding electrolytes. I will do that for all of them.