I NEED HELP!! My hen has eye issues & possibly respiratory issues!

[chicken tender lady]

Well my hen started having eye and possible respiratory issues a few months ago! I have tried to take care of this when and as best as I possibly, could. So through online research, looking at forums like this one, and my personal experience as a chicken keeper. I have tried my best to take care of these issues on my own. First of all, I may mention that I live in a rural area, and there are no vets that will see chickens here. I've already checked into this. And we only have two vets here locally to begin with. There are vets that are an hour or two away from me that I could call. But the issue is that I can't afford vet bills. So I have no choice but to try to take care of these issues on my own.

I will now explain what issues she has. Her left eyelid bottom and top appear to be swollen. She has had this problem before. And I have been able to take care of it with vetriciyn eyewash, eye drops, and terryamicin ointment. I also give my chickens fresh oregano. As a treat on a regular basis. And I have learned that this is a natural antibiotic, and it's very good for the chickens. So for the past couple days, I've been able to use the same regimen as I listed above. She also has what appears to be clear mucus coming out of her nostrils. I did manage to clear her nostrils.When I took care of her today. The other issue, is it looks like she has labored breathing. She has slowed down quite a bit. But what's interesting is that she is still laying regularly. She laid about three days ago.

Today I did decide to isolate her. Since she seemed like she wasn't getting better. And then she I decided to moisten her feed because it seemed like she wasn't really interested in eating. However, she does drink a lot of water. I gave her water with a few drops of VET Rx. So I'm not sure why she has labored breathing? What could be the cause? What is it? Maybe somebody here can help me out as to what she may have and how I could possibly treat this at home? I was thinking it may be impacted or a sour crop? But I could be wrong? I also don't know she's starting to have issues because maybe she's getting old? I'm not too sure how old she is? Being that I received most of my flock of chickens from a friend of mine about two years ago. My friend didn't seem to know how old the chickens were either because she received them from somebody else?

I will be attaching some pictures and videos of my hen here. Her name is Mercedes her nickname is "Mercy". I love my girl and I really want to try to nurse her back to health!! If at all possible! I kind of feel like this is Deva Vu because I had one of my chickens go through similar health issues and I tried to take care of her on my own. But there was nothing I could do. And she ended up passing away! I would appreciate any helpful or a friendly advice anybody may have! TIA!

 

[BDutch]

Ooh poor Merciful Mercedes.
I cant help but maybe on of the health advisers like @Eggcessive can help you.

 

[chicken tender lady]

Ooh poor Merciful Mercedes.
I cant help but maybe on of the health advisers like @Eggcessive can help you.

Thank you! Yes hopefully Eggcessive can help! They've helped me before on other chicken health issues I've had!

 

[townchicks]

It looks like she has mycoplasma ,with all the bubbles in her eyes. Treatment for that is tylosin, I think you can order that from Jedds bird supply. Chickens remain carriers for life, treat them as symptoms flare up.

 

[chicken tender lady]

It looks like she has mycoplasma ,with all the bubbles in her eyes. Treatment for that is tylosin, I think you can order that from Jedds bird supply. Chickens remain carriers for life, treat them as symptoms flare up.

Wow! Yeah I thought maybe that was a possibility! Thank you for the info! Is mycoplasma contagious? Should I treat the rest of my flock too? I will order some tylosin for her.

 

[townchicks]

Wow! Yeah I thought maybe that was a possibility! Thank you for the info! Is mycoplasma contagious? Should I treat the rest of my flock too? I will order some tylosin for her.

Yes, it is contagious, your whole flock will be carriers. Some will never show symptoms, but it can't hurt to treat everyone.

 

[chicken tender lady]

Yes, it is contagious, your whole flock will be carriers. Some will never show symptoms, but it can't hurt to treat everyone.

Wow that's disappointing! Can chickens pass this on to humans too? Or does it just effect chickens? Also is it still safe to eat their eggs with mycoplasma? Now I'm not too sure about adding more chickens to my current flock in the future?? Sorry so many questions! But this news is kinda shocking!!

 

[townchicks]

Wow that's disappointing! Can chickens pass this on to humans too? Or does it just effect chickens? Also is it still safe to eat their eggs with mycoplasma? Now I'm not too sure about adding more chickens to my current flock in the future?? Sorry so many questions! But this news is kinda shocking!!

Chicken strains cannot be passed to people, and yes, it is safe to eat the eggs. Except I think there is a withdrawal period when treating with tylosin, not sure. You should not give away, or sell any chickens, or eggs for hatching, as it can be transmitted through the eggs, but it is so common, a lot of folks probably have it and don't know it. I have it in my flock, I know because a hen was tested, but all of my birds are fine. Do some reading but don't panic, it's not the end of your chicken keeping. You can let this flock die off and let the ground sit for 3 months, disinfect your coop and start over. Or, you can add more, knowing what is going on and dealing with it as symptoms arise. Just don't pass it on to others.

 

[chicken tender lady]

Chicken strains cannot be passed to people, and yes, it is safe to eat the eggs. Except I think there is a withdrawal period when treating with tylosin, not sure. You should not give away, or sell any chickens, or eggs for hatching, as it can be transmitted through the eggs, but it is so common, a lot of folks probably have it and don't know it. I have it in my flock, I know because a hen was tested, but all of my birds are fine. Do some reading but don't panic, it's not the end of your chicken keeping. You can let this flock die off and let the ground sit for 3 months, disinfect your coop and start over. Or, you can add more, knowing what is going on and dealing with it as symptoms arise. Just don't pass it on to others.

Thank you for your helpful advice! I will take everything you said into careful consideration! I will also do some more research to try to figure out and narrow down what may be going on with "Mercedes" my hen! Although I think you maybe right on mycoplasma! It wouldn't hurt to treat her for that at this point! Thanks for letting me know about the possible withdrawal period on tylosin! Noted! I would have never thought of that! I don't plan on giving away or selling my chickens. I have a small flock and their main purpose is to provide eggs for me and my family! Their also our pets so we'll never eat them! But once again noted! If I decide to add more chickens to my flock there will be a risk of disease being passed on. Thanks again! Have a great evening!