Help! My hens’ eyes are swelling shut!

[Jrd7788]

 

[andreanar]

I see 3 photos. On the first hen, I would get her some Terramycin ointment and start that asap. The others, I thought maybe pecks, but hmmm looking closer could be the start of fowl pox. You could use Vetricyn eye med or antibiotic ointment in the eye. Personally, I would go for a Terramycin eye oint.

 

[Jrd7788]

View attachment 1572821

I see 3 photos. On the first hen, I would get her some Terramycin ointment and start that asap. The others, I thought maybe pecks, but hmmm looking closer could be the start of fowl pox. You could use Vetricyn eye med or antibiotic ointment in the eye. Personally, I would go for a Terramycin eye oint.

 

[Eggcessive]

Yes it looks like you are dealing with fowl pox virus. The eye swelling may be mycoplasma (MG) or possibly coryza if it smells bad. I would use a warm wet compress for about 10 minutes on the one with the stuck together eye. Get the eye open gently and flsuh it with saline or water. Apply some Terramycin eye ointment from the feed store or some plain neosporin ointment twice a day. I would use the same ointment on the other hen with the swollen eye.

Tylan 50 injectable from the feed store can be used orally to treat MG. You will need syringes and needles to withdraw the medicine, and remove the needle to squirt it in the beak, a little at a time. Dosage is 1/4 ml per pound 2-3 times a day for 3-5 days. Here is some reading about MG:
http://extension.umd.edu/sites/exte... Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) Infecti....pdf

And here is another article about fowl pox:
https://the-chicken-chick.com/fowl-pox-prevention-treatmen/

 

[Brahma Chicken5000]

@Hen Pen Jem can you help?

 

[Jrd7788]

Thanks! I will try that immediately! I know how bad Lucy must be feeling! Thanks a lot for your help.

 

[Melky]

Here is resource that reviews fowl pox well. I would follow these treatment guidelines http://www.poultrydvm.com/condition/fowl-pox
Need to isolate sick birds. Have access to clean food/water. See vet. Vaccine may be available to protect birds. May want to consider since more new ones coming. May use antibiotics to protect against secondary infections per vet prescription. Cleansing the areas is important as outlined in article and agree with others without removing scabs.

 

[Jrd7788]

Should I take the chicks out from Lucy?

 

[Melky]

If you have a mother infected, it might be a good idea to separate the baby chicks and place in brooder in the off chance they did not get infected by the adults but again maybe call vet and get advice quickly.

 

[Hen Pen Jem]

@Hen Pen Jem can you help?

I agree with Eggcessive. Definitely looks like a severe case of dry fowl pox, on the comb, wattles, and around the eyes. Course of treatment suggestion, is good. I would just add one thing, Vetericyn for the eyes, if they don't respond to the Terramycin within two days. Vetericyn will address bacteria, fungi & viruses. Possibly could treat mucus around nostrils & eyes from Coryza. The Tylosin (Tylan) will help if there is MG or Coryza.

If the chickens contract wet pox, this can result in death. Be vigilant for symptoms in the respiratory system, eyes, mouth and throat.

The chicken with the eye that is crusted over, is in bad shape. Hopefully this is due to blisters too close to the inner lid. Do as Eggcessive, said, use a warm compress to loosen that crusted mucous. You should do this at least three times a day.

This case will require a multi-course of treatments. Besides medications and warm compresses, keep stress low, offer plenty of food and fresh water. Boost immune system with vitamin supplement, for three days. Echinacea tea diluted in one gallon water is another immune system booster.

Dry pox is not something that is normally of such great concern. However, your birds have severe symptoms. This is a virus, and can lower the immune system, causing secondary infection.

These are my thoughts on your chicken's issue. I hope I have been helpful.

God Bless