Hen Acting Strange-Need Advice

[mylilchix]

Yesterday around dusk I was out in the coop. I noticed one of my faverolles puffed up and sitting on the roost. I didn't think much of it because it was almost her bedtime, and it was in the 20s outside.

I went to let the girls out this morning, and she hadn't gotten off the roost when I went in the coop to check on their feed. I left for a bit, came back, and she had come outside. She was all puffed up and shutting her left eye. Her eye isn't swollen, she doesn't have a runny nose, and I haven't heard her coughing. I can't figure out whats wrong with her!

I've brought her into the basement to seperate her from the rest of the flock just in case. She's just standing in a crate now with that left eye shut. She will open it to look at me, and doesn't seem to be sick. Any ideas?

Thanks,
Sonja

 

[Wynette]

How old is she? Currently laying? What are you feeding? Have you observed her poo?

 

[mylilchix]

She's 9 months old, I haven't seen her poo recently. She has been laying, and she's on Purina Layena with free chocie BOS and scratch. We have been going through a cold spell lately though. Temps were in the 50s and 60s for a long time, and since last week we've been in the 20s and 30s.

Sonja

 

[Wynette]

Hmmm...I don't know that free-choice BOSS is a good idea, as it's high in protein, but I don't know if it would cause these symptoms, either. Also, scratch is best fed just as a treat - in small amounts (some folks only feed it through winter, as the corn it contains raises their body heat a bit). But again, I don't know that that would be cause her looking like she's not feeling well and having an eye issue.

Is she eating and drinking? It's great that you separated her - smart on your part. Just in case she has something contagious, you don't want your whole flock getting ill.

It could be something as simle as her scratching her eye on something, or someone pecking her in the eye. I think the first thing I'd do is try to gently open her eye and look carefully at it - sometimes if you look at it from the side, you can see more. Compare it to her eye that's open. If it appears red, or to be scratched or watering, you might consider pickingup some Terramycin eye ointment - available at most farm stores (my grain elevator carries it, as well), and see how that works for her. If it's just a scratch or debris, this will clear it right up & she'll be back to her normal self soon.

Since you've got her in a crate, you'll be able to see her poo to see if it looks normal. Hopefully, all you've got is a little eye boo-boo! Good luck!!!

 

[luvarabhorses]

My grandmothers solution (and mine) was to mix a teaspoon of boric acid (can get at any pharmacy) in a 1/4 cup of water, microwave for a minute, wait until cool and gently swab eye with a q tip. Anytime I see a puffy bird I put them under a light for heat, adult or not. hope it gets better.

 

[luvarabhorses]

Also, how long has it been since you wormed?

 

[mylilchix]

I've just checked on her. She's laying down now. I've looked at her eye, and it appears normal. Altough she could have been pecked. We've been having some issues with that. Our she could have dirt in it, it's been super windy here the last couple of days.

I haven't wormed them yet. From what I can tell everyone's poo has been normal. I haven't seen anything that would send a red flag. I would like to worm them though. Is ther something I can use that that won't cause me to toss their eggs for a while?

Thanks,
Sonja