Help! Chicken closing one eye... sometimes

[Rachelz]

Hi there! New chicken momma, girls are about 12 weeks. I have one pullet who is closing her one eye intermittently. She seems a little more tired than in the past, but she has always been our quietest and tamest girl. The eye looks a little more red than the other and is maybe a tiny bit watery? It is hard to tell. She is eating, we gave her corn last night and she gobbled it up. Should I treat her? I cannot find a chicken vet in our area. I found a thread from 2015 but I did not feel like my question was answered there.

 

[Barnette]

Hi there! New chicken momma, girls are about 12 weeks. I have one pullet who is closing her one eye intermittently. She seems a little more tired than in the past, but she has always been our quietest and tamest girl. The eye looks a little more red than the other and is maybe a tiny bit watery? It is hard to tell. She is eating, we gave her corn last night and she gobbled it up. Should I treat her? I cannot find a chicken vet in our area. I found a thread from 2015 but I did not feel like my question was answered there.

She could have poked her eye on a twig and it got irritated. Since it's not in both eyes I do not want to assume disease. How long has her eye been like this?

 

[Rachelz]

She could have poked her eye on a twig and it got irritated. Since it's not in both eyes I do not want to assume disease. How long has her eye been like this?

Since last night

 

[alinas2010]

Hi there! New chicken momma, girls are about 12 weeks. I have one pullet who is closing her one eye intermittently. She seems a little more tired than in the past, but she has always been our quietest and tamest girl. The eye looks a little more red than the other and is maybe a tiny bit watery? It is hard to tell. She is eating, we gave her corn last night and she gobbled it up. Should I treat her? I cannot find a chicken vet in our area. I found a thread from 2015 but I did not feel like my question was answered there.

I’m sorry to hear about your chicken. There are several things that could cause eye issues in a chicken. For the best assistance here, post a picture of the eye in question and give the chicken a thorough once over. Check for any drainage, bubbles or pus in all entrances/exits - eyes, ears, nose, mouth and vent. Also make sure she is free from lice and mites. Those can cause symptoms of lethargy. They like to hide in warm areas, such as under the wings in the feathers there on the side or deep in the hackle feathers so check well.

 

[Barnette]

Since last night

Okay. I suggest Veticyrin animal eye drops that can help irritation or minor sinus issues

 

[Rachelz]

Now both eyes are closing and she seems sleepy. Normal poop, flat feeling crop. I'm going to bring her out of the run. Should I try corid?

 

[alinas2010]

Now both eyes are closing and she seems sleepy. Normal poop, flat feeling crop. I'm going to bring her out of the run. Should I try corid?

I’m not sure I would jump to corid right away if she has normal looking poop, but that is up to you if you want to try it. Have you had Corid in your flock recently? Did you give her a thorough exam? No lice/mites?

What is her diet? You mentioned giving her corn. Does she have access to chicken feed? A lot of snacks can throw them off sometimes.

 

[Eggcessive]

If you have Corid, it won’t hurt since she is at the age where coccidiosis could still be a problem. Dosage is 2 tsp of the liquid, or 1.5 tsp of the powder per gallon of water for 5-7 days. You can also give in addition to the treated water, a dose of undiluted Corid 0.1 ml per pound, or about 1/2 tsp orally once a day. Have there been any new additions, or are all chickens the same age? What do you feed them? Do you have poultry grit available for them? Is her crop empty or full, and can you check it in the am to see if it has emptied overnight?

 

[Rachelz]

I’m not sure I would jump to corid right away if she has normal looking poop, but that is up to you if you want to try it. Have you had Corid in your flock recently? Did you give her a thorough exam? No lice/mites?

What is her diet? You mentioned giving her corn. Does she have access to chicken feed? A lot of snacks can throw them off sometimes.

She gets basically 1/8 ear of corn a day, otherwise only feeder/ grower and chick grit. No other sick chickens. No lice or mites. Currently at the emergency exotic vet.

 

[Rachelz]

If you have Corid, it won’t hurt since she is at the age where coccidiosis could still be a problem. Dosage is 2 tsp of the liquid, or 1.5 tsp of the powder per gallon of water for 5-7 days. You can also give in addition to the treated water, a dose of undiluted Corid 0.1 ml per pound, or about 1/2 tsp orally once a day. Have there been any new additions, or are all chickens the same age? What do you feed them? Do you have poultry grit available for them? Is her crop empty or full, and can you check it in the am to see if it has emptied overnight?

Her crop is pretty empty, I think she's too tired to eat much.