Help, one dead, others........

[texaschickmama]

I have been out of town since before Christmas. My husband has been taking care of the animals along with our neighbors. I went to check chickens when I got home only to find one dead in the coup and others with weird looking eyes. It's like they are almost closed. I don't expect one of the affected chickens to last through the night. It just stands in the corner. They are year and a half orpingtons. We feed our layers the layer pellets. The have access to clean water at all times. I'm sorry I can't post pics now, in the middle of switching computers. That is the only visible sign that I see, the eyes looking weird, almost like a bump above them and almost closed. All of the chickens are not like that, only a two that I saw. It is now dark here and I can't see very well out there even with a flashlight. Please help.

 

[texaschickmama]

Anyone have a clue here? The only symptom that I can see is the eyes are halfway closed and weird looking-like a bump around them. Any ideas, I'm frantically searching the web now.

 

[justusnak]

I am so sorry about your birds....first amd foremost...seperate the 2 infected ones from the rest. More than likely, whatever it is, the others might already be infected as well. Better safe than sorry. Im not sure what those symptoms could be...im not very good with diseases....im sure someone will come along soon and help.

 

[chickenpiedpiper]

The eyes on a chicken are surrounded by sinus cavities, and sometimes an upper respitory infection can cause bizarre swelling around the eyes, but I have only ever seen it around the lower (under eye) section.

Are they breathing clearly, or wheezing? any bubbles? is your coop heated? can you bring a heat light out to take some of the stress off their systems on the cold nights? Not all birds can handle bitter cold as well as others. and sick birds often respond well to a little coddling.

Birds dont show an illness, often until it is too late, so my thoughts and hopes are with you, even tho I am not of much help...

Good luck!

 

[smith2]

Could be some type of virus or infection around the eye area. I had 2 do this but both survived. For sure, get them separated ASAP. Any drainage, odor, etc.

 

[morelcabin]

I'd seperate the sick ones and give them all electrolytes for a few days

 

[Three Cedars Silkies]

Separate all the ones that are ill from the ones that aren't. Get them on an antibiotic...Tylan is a probably the best one for now. I would get the injectable and follow directions for how much to give each one.

Keep them quiet and warm. Get some poultry vitamins...or liquid children's vitamins will work. One or two drops twice a day for a few days, then taper off. Give them something special to eat...cooked oatmeal, chopped boiled eggs, etc...to keep them eating.

Check out this site and see if you can identify what it might be. Perhaps call a vet tomorrow...

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ps044#TABLE_2

Good luck with them...