Hen with eye infection??

[TashaB]

Hi guys- this is my first time posting, although I’ve learned lots from reading all your posts. Grateful for this group!
My sweet hen has something awful happening to her eyes. Does anyone know what this is and what to do for her? I have separated her from the flock. Could this be from other hens pecking?

 

[micstrachan]

At a glance, yes, looks like it could be a pecking injury. Is it on both sides?
Pecking is often caused by some sort of a stressor, so let’s see if we can help you figure this out. How many chickens do you have and how much room do they have? What do you feed them?
Also, can you get a clearer picture? Looks more like an injury than infection to me, but I could be wrong. I hope we can help you figure this out.

 

[TashaB]

Thank you for replying! Yes, both sides. I have five chickens that free range during the day and their coop is 3’ x 5’ with two roosting bars. I live in Alaska and we’ve had a lot of wind and very cold temp. They have an enclosed run that is 8’x 10’ that they stay in when it’s really windy.

 

[TashaB]

Oh- I’m feeling them layer crumbles and scratch grains at night.

 

[micstrachan]

Is there any place she could have wedged her head and injured herself? Do they stay in the 3x5 coop during the day when it’s super cold or do they venture out into the run? Being confined to 3x5 could definitely lead to pecking. Can you add some boredom busters?

 

[TashaB]

Their never confined. Our backyard is fenced. When it’s windy they stay in their run mostly (it’s wrapped in heavy duty plastic to keep the wind out). Good idea though I’ll add some boredom busters in there. So you don’t think this is disease? More likely injury? I suppose she could have gotten her head stuck somewhere...it does seem like it happened suddenly. Should I put something on it?

 

[TashaB]

Also- it’s pretty cold here right now, in the teens. My plan is to bring her inside during the night and outside separated from the flock during the day? Will that mess with her system too much? (I’m a new chicken mom....can you tell? lol). And what about when she’s all healed up? Can I just return her to the flock or do I have to reintroduce her like a new chicken?