Help!

[Rae2020]

Today I came into the coop to find this girl in bad condition! I check my hens almost daily to make sure they don’t have frost bite or show signs of illness bc this is my first winter/year owning chickens.

Can anyone help me as what I need to do next!?

 

[AGeese]

I don't know much about frostbite symptoms with chickens, but one of my pullets had her eye closed for about a day, I think it was either that something got in her eye or she got pecked by one of her sisters, as I've seen them do that to each other in the face very close to the eyes at times. Whatever it was she's fine now.

 

[Eggcessive]

Can you see any bubbles, foam, or gunk in the eye? Do your see a peck mark on the eyelid, as the ones on her comb? Is she lethargic or low in the pecking order? Has she been sneezing or have nasal drainage? Can you get her drinking and eating, and possibly separate her in a dog crate? For the eye, I would flush it with a little saline eye wash, and apply a dab of either Terramycin eye ointment or plain Neosporin or Triple Antibiotic Ointment twice daily.

 

[Rae2020]

Can you see any bubbles, foam, or gunk in the eye? Do your see a peck mark on the eyelid, as the ones on her comb? Is she lethargic or low in the pecking order? Has she been sneezing or have nasal drainage? Can you get her drinking and eating, and possibly separate her in a dog crate? For the eye, I would flush it with a little saline eye wash, and apply a dab of either Terramycin eye ointment or plain Neosporin or Triple Antibiotic Ointment twice daily.

The only gunk I saw was what appears to be black liquid, maybe blood? She is making a low coo sound and didn’t jump down to eat with the others which is what caught my attention but she was alert and watchful with her open eye when I was checking her out. I put her in a small coop away from the others with food and water. She wasn’t interested in eating or drinking but was walking around trying to figure out how to get out of the coop.

I should mention, the other day I came into the coop and it looked like a hen had gotten attacked. There was feathers everywhere, I did a head count and checked for injuries but didn’t see anything at the time. I have one other chicken that had a little bit of that black liquid on her comb but idk if it was from the one I have pictured here bc that one seems fine, active, alert, was eating and drinking.

As for the pecking order I have no idea, I’ve tried watching to see what the pecking order is and who’s on top but I’ve never picked up on behaviors or signs as to the order

I added a close up of the liquid I’m talking about.

 

[Eggcessive]

How much room do your chickens have in their coop? Are they in the coop most of the day or are they getting outside to roam around. What do you feed? A common cause of pecking can be from boredom, too little room, or not feeding enough protein in the diet. It can lead to cannibalism if not stopped. Some breeds tend to be more aggressive than others. The dark material looks like blood, common with comb wounds.

 

[Show Sebright]

Looks like a peck. I agreed with @Eggcessive . You can get no peck cream from your local feed store.

 

[Rae2020]

They have a lot of room, I’d say 16x22 give or take, but they also free roam daily.

I feed them Purina Layena layer pellets as well has fruits and veggies occasionally. I’m not out for long periods of time like I used to because of how cold it’s been but I’ve never noticed bullying. How would I stop cannibalism if that’s what this is??

 

[Rae2020]

So I’ve brought her inside to clean her face and put Neosporin on that eye. It looks like the eye is starting to open up but as I clean her face with warm water she’s falling asleep. Normal or lethargic? I’ve never washed my chickens so this could be normal lol

When I first brought her in she was looking around and acting normal.

 

[AGeese]

She's probably relaxed in your care. If she isn't able stand up after I would wonder. Pecking is normal with mine regardless of order. They'll peck at each other for fun or to get what they think are crumbs off the other's beaks or faces. I've watched them stand there and do it to each other without any aggression, and very close at the eye to the point it made me cringe, but by then they each turn away or lose interest.

Drawing blood could be a trigger for more pecking.

 

[Rae2020]

She's probably relaxed in your care. If she isn't able stand up after I would wonder. Pecking is normal with mine regardless of order. They'll peck at each other for fun or to get what they think are crumbs off the other's beaks or faces. I've watched them stand there and do it to each other without any aggression, and very close at the eye to the point it made me cringe, but by then they each turn away or lose interest.

Drawing blood could be a trigger for more pecking.

Okay perfect!

Thanks everyone!!