Help! Lethargic hen, swollen eye, runny green poops

Chicku

In the Brooder
May 12, 2025
16
37
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Hello! I am reaching out for help on behalf of my bestie, who's currently helping her momma out for severe health issues, so these are momma's hens and I am posting secondhand. My friend is not doing the daily chicken chores (her grandma is over a lot and does that for them) so this is what I have!

Hen is lethargic, her eye is swollen, looks like both upper and lower eyelid (see pics). We don't know how her eating and drinking habits are doing at the moment. Her vent area is very dirty, and looks like runny, watery green poops (pics) we don't have actual poop photos though, my friend is not able to hang out in there and be sure. There are 13 hens total and no one else seems to be out of it, this one has been for 4-5 days. She is working on separating her right now. My immediate thought is some kind of respiratory/bacterial infection considering the swollen eyes and color of poop. What do you all think? Suggestions for medication welcome. This is not a rush the chicken to the vet kind of house, but kindness and at home remedies are going to be tried.
 

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I would put them all on vitamin water three times a week. We use Poultry Cell mostly. Many times, chickens can get over minor illnesses themselves, and a vitamin boost helps. If you have no chicken vitamins and can't buy any, I'd fry up some scrambled eggs and open a couple cans of tuna in water, mix that up. If you have some Kale, which is high in vitamins, and I'd chop that in there too. Do that for them a few times a week.

Are they getting layer feed or an all-flock for food?

Probiotics might also help with diarrhea. That can be powders mixed in their water, Greek yogurt, or fermented grains.

If the respiratory issues persist, she might need an antibiotic, which can be ordered online. I just did, and 25 capsules of amoxicillin 250mg was $28 with shipping from https://www.twincitypoultrysupplies.com/
 

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