Help! Chicken with closed eye, what do I do?

[sylviethecochin]

That yellowish bump... is it firm or soft?

Vetericyn is the product I would think about using [EDT: as others have already said. It's anti-microbial and effective. It's used for pinkeye in cattle], and @casportpony is the person I would call.

 

[Sunny-Side Up]

It's soft.

 

[sylviethecochin]

It's soft.

I'd guess it's pretty new, then. Chicken pus hardens as it ages. Sorry I can't be much help in this area. Following.

 

[Sunny-Side Up]

I'd guess it's pretty new, then. Chicken pus hardens as it ages. Sorry I can't be much help in this area. Following.

Oh, trust me you are a lot of help! Even even if you don't know what's happening, it's nice to know that people are supporting me. The flock of chicks that I got this spring had a lot of troubles. So many of them died, and I couldn't figure out why. This chicken was the only survivor of my original flock, and she's the kindest and friendliest of all my chickens. I'd hate to see something bad happen to her. Thank you, and hopefully we can figure this out!

 

[Sunny-Side Up]

As of a few seconds ago...

 

[Wyorp Rock]

It looks like she has a little dried mucous in the nostril(?)
I would try flushing the eye really well with saline or sterile water. You can use purchased saline or make your own 1tsp salt to 1quart water, boil for 15minutes. Let cool, place in sterile/sanitized jar. Make fresh every day.

You can use Terramycin in the eye or as suggested Vetericyn eye gel/wash. Some people do use plain Neosporin. Any of the ointment, you would just put a very small amount in the eye, it will melt.

While your at it, look at that nostril to see if that is mucous or it could be food/debris. Also look inside the beak for any yellow spots/plaques or lesions.

Encourage her to stay hydrated and eating.
Keep us posted.

 

[Sunny-Side Up]

Thanks for your post, WyorpRock! I went out this morning, and both eyes were open and bright! I was really relieved, but I'm definitely going to keep checking on her. I'll let you know if I notice anything bad popping up.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

That's good news! Sometimes, they do occasionally just get a bit of dirt in the eye which can be irritating.

It's never a bad idea to observe her for several days just to be sure nothing else is going on.
I hope you have no further problems.

 

[oceansunset73]

Thanks for your post, WyorpRock! I went out this morning, and both eyes were open and bright! I was really relieved, but I'm definitely going to keep checking on her. I'll let you know if I notice anything bad popping up.

So happy to hear that! Thanks for the update.

 

[KettermanHillCoop]

My Cleo had something funky with her eye too. I rinsed it multiple times a day with warm salt-water (1 tsp per per 16 oz water bottle). Then gooped the eye with Neosporin (no pain reliever stuff). Cleared up in a few days.

The good eye for comparison:

The boo-boo eye :

After a few days of treatment:

Good luck to you.