Hen with swollen eye

[Fluff Queen]

would tylosin help with conjunctivitis as well or is there another antibiotic that would be best for that? I was also wondering if this is contagious as I have some new chicks that will be joining the flock soon.

 

[Eggcessive]

Yes, MG contagious. Not all birds will have symptoms. Your flock has already been exposed. They will be MG positive, but you could try to get this one hen tested to confirm it. Are you hatching new chicks, buying them from someone or a hatchery, or do you already have them, and are just waiting to add them? Many backyard flocks may be MG positive. It is a common disease and spreads by direct contact from a carrier, but also can be passed in hatching eggs. Normally, I suggest to close your flock with MG. There is a vaccine available for new chicks. I don’t think many use it. Here is some reading about MG:
https://extension.umd.edu/sites/ext... Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) Infecti....pdf

 

[Fluff Queen]

I have 7 chicks that I got from a hatchery about 2 weeks ago that are currently in the brooder in my garage. All of my older chickens were healthy and had never had any issues before this week. Will the new chicks be able to handle the virus once they are older or will it be a problem for them?

 

[Eggcessive]

Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) is not a virus, but an organism similar to bacteria. Antibiotics may help treat it, but they don’t treat viruses. There are a few viruses that cause respiratory disease symptoms, but those are infectious bronchitis and ILT, and others. Her symptoms sound like MG, not the viruses.

Since you are raising the chicks in the garage, I would be careful going between the sick hen and the chicks. Wash hands, wear separate shoes, and even clothing. Hopefully your hen will get better, and by the time the chicks are big enough to add to the flock, their immune systems will be strong and they will have a good chance. Some people may tell you to cull your flock and start over, but that is not what I would do. Be sure to never rehome any birds or sell them or hatching eggs from now on. Many flocks can be MG positive, and one never knows until a bird shows symptoms. Wild birds can bring it in, but most people bring it in by getting chickens from other people whose flock is positive.

 

[Eggcessive]

Here is a site that sells the MG vaccine for chicks at least 1 week old:
https://www.jefferspet.com/mg-bac-1...HcBQTHucE2fBqV7BRMKrbRK2VrAmrTiBoC86gQAvD_BwE

There are a lot of articles about MG online to read. Some would chose to cull the sick hen, and send her in to the state vet lab for a necropsy where they would also test for MG. What state are you in? Some states may put the chicken down before the necropsy. Here is a list of state vets to contact either about a necropsy or testing a live bird:
https://www.metzerfarms.com/poultry-labs.html

 

[Fluff Queen]

thank you so much for all of your help! This is my first flock so I don't think I have the heart to cull her. Since no one else is showing symptoms and she seems to be doing fine I would like to just keep her and deal with it. I am going to start her on tylosin and hope that she pulls through. I was also thinking about how they could have gotten it and was wondering how easily it is spread. I keep my horse at a friends farm who also has a flock of chickens and they are in the barn all day when I am there. Could her chickens have it and I brought it home to mine on clothes or shoes?

 

[Eggcessive]

Yes, some even think that you could bring it in on your shoes from a feedstore or other farm.

 

[Fluff Queen]

Still trying to figure out what is wrong with this hen. I have had her on tylosin for 3 days and am still putting eye ointment on but her eye seems to be doing worse. She is still acting normal but here eye is not looking great. Could conjunctivitis be a symptom of something else?

 

[coach723]

Most likely this is a respiratory disease. MG is the most common, infectious Coryza also can cause eye swelling. I will attach a few links with more info and some pictures. Swelling can be mild, or very severe, it can vary. The bird can be tested if you want definite confirmation.
The only other possible cause would be an eye injury that got infected or debris lodged in the eye also infected. If it were injury then it would likely not be getting worse with ointment being applied. It's very contagious. If that is indeed what it is, then your entire flock is exposed and considered carriers. Symptoms can come and go, and often recur during times of stress.
https://www.gapoultrylab.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/MG-Disease_Quick-Reference-Sheet.pdf
https://www.freedomrangerhatchery.com/blog/protecting-your-flock-what-you-need-to-know-about-mg-ms/
https://www.deerrunfarmmd.com/blogs/the-egg-ucated-chicken/the-truth-about-mycoplasma-gallisepticum

 

[3eyondblessed]

I would flush the eye out well with sterile saline or eye wash, make sure there is no debris in there. Get a good look at the eye for any signs of injury, or pus. If there is any pus it will need to be removed. You can use terramycin eye ointment (available without a prescription at many feed stores and some tractor supply stores etc) in the eye 2-3 times a day. If you can't get that then you can use plain neosporin the same way. See if that clears it up. She could have been pecked or gotten something in the eye. If it doesn't clear up, gets worse, or if other symptoms develop, discharge from eyes, nares, beak, bubbles in eyes, more facial swelling or plaques inside the beak or throat, bad smell around the head, you may be dealing with a respiratory disease.

Hi there, My one rooster is dealing with something similar and there is a bit of pus (an blood) coming out of his eye, it looks like he was attacked, and he’ll open his eye just a little bit, and then shut it again. I put some manna pro hen healer on it, and was curious if you could advice me on anything else I could do to help him more? Any help is greatly appreciated, Thank you!