Hen with eye rupture advice needed

[hello hen]

Hello, my sweet buff orpington hen had her eye pecked. I think the eye is ruptured. It's so swollen I can't get a good look at it. If I had the money I would take her to the vet but unfortunately, I don't have the $1,500 dollars needed for an eye removal surgery. I've been giving her painkillers, anti inflammatories, and antibiotics. Does anyone have experience treating this at home? I'm hoping that with time the eye will heal and expel itself or be absorbed. That seems like wishful thinking.

 

[Eggcessive]

Welcome to BYC. Pictures would help. Flush the eye with saline, and apply either Terramycin or plain Neosporin twice a day.

 

[swamphiker]

It's possible the eye is badly swollen and not ruptured, a friend had a hen whose eye was pecked badly by a flockmate; we thought the eye was gone but it was just badly swollen. Even if she does lose an eye, she can still be okay without it as long as you can keep infection at bay

@Eggcessive has it right. The most important thing is to keep the wound clean. Also make sure she is staying hydrated, she may have a hard time drinking if her depth perception is thrown off.

 

[hello hen]

Thank you! I have her inside and will pay attention to how much water she is drinking. I really thought she was done for and appreciate your help. I have some hope now.

 

[Eggcessive]

My Polish hen was pecked in the eye, and it took about 4 days for the swelling to go down in order to tell if the eye was intact or pierced. So just keep cleaning and applying antibiotic ointment gently until you can see what damage was done. My hen was blinded, but her eye was intact.

 

[hello hen]

I’m so relieved to hear that chickens are surviving with just home care. It’s been about four days and the swelling is still pretty bad but at least I know she has a chance.

 

[Hensofthehill]

I’m so relieved to hear that chickens are surviving with just home care. It’s been about four days and the swelling is still pretty bad but at least I know she has a chance.

Hi, just wondering if she made full recovery?

 

[hello hen]

Hi, just wondering if she made full recovery?

No, not yet. I gave her a full round of antibiotics and she’s still alive. Her eye is still very swollen. It was definitely ruptured and all the eye fluid leaked out. I don’t have the nerve to go in and try removing the pieces so hoping her body will absorb or expell it. Thank you so much for checking in.

 

[swamphiker]

No, not yet. I gave her a full round of antibiotics and she’s still alive. Her eye is still very swollen. It was definitely ruptured and all the eye fluid leaked out. I don’t have the nerve to go in and try removing the pieces so hoping her body will absorb or expell it. Thank you so much for checking in.

I'm glad she's still surviving but sorry to hear about her ruptured eye. Hopefully she is able to pull through! It sounds like you are doing a great job and providing her a good chance at recovering.