I think hen's eyes were irritated by DE ?

[Jenbirdee]

I first used DE on my hens about 3 weeks ago when I found lice egg clumps on them, Then I switched to using permethrin dust. They had 3 very thorough treatments with the permethin now I think the lice are gone. But one of my 2 hens still has irritated eyes, I used saline to rinse them a few times, and also chamomile tea . I just dont know if theres something else going on that would persist with the eye irritation so long, maybe it was the initial DE dust got in her eyes? But the other hen's eyes are fine.
Anyway I remembered I have vetericyn antimicrobial eye wash and eye gel and I also have terramycin ointment here. So today I used the vetericyn wash and then the gel, I hope it helps. How long would eyes still be irritated by DE after 3 weeks? By the way I find it very difficult to get anything into my hens eyes. It was much easier to give eye drops to a duck than to a chicken. Chickens head is smaller and squirmy and she shuts her eyes . any advice?

 

[nuthatched]

Looks like a bit of an eye infection, how long was it like this before you found the terramycin?

 

[SourRoses]

It's likely that the DE did hurt their eyes (and airways). That stuff is too rough on birds.
However, the area around your hens eye is inflamed. The parasites can do that as some are attracted to the eye area.
You might want to try a liquid topical insecticide instead (not near the eyes).
And make sure to clean up any remnants of DE from their housing / where you applied it.

 

[azygous]

It's likely the DE irritated her eyes back when you dusted her, and now the irritation has begun to harbor bacteria. Bacteria likes to move into irritated tissues because it provides a moist warm home to grow.

Continue to rinse her eyes twice a day with saline and use an antibiotic ointment in them twice a day to target the bacteria.

And I think you've discovered all on your own that DE has few positive qualities and too many downside risks. It's made up of millions of tiny bony skeletons of ancient sea creatures that are microscopically sharp and abrasive, and this is very dangerous to delicate respiratory tissues including especially the eyes.

 

[coach723]

I would use the terramycin. You only need a tiny bit, I'd use it once or twice a day for a week or so, see if there is improvement. If you have help to hold her pull down on the bottom lid and put the ointment there, it will spread as it warms to her temp and she blinks. The terramycin will help in case she's developing infection from the irritation.
I wouldn't use DE, it really isn't effective and it's a respiratory irritant also.

 

[Jenbirdee]

Looks like a bit of an eye infection, how long was it like this before you found the terramycin?

it's been since https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/chickens-face-and-eyes-look-sick.1566692/ and I thought maybe it was tiny lice attacking her eyes , so I carefully sprinkled perm dust around her little face. I cant find any little lice on her though, I had thought I saw tiny nits on her neck but Im not even sure thats what they were It looks like she has dandruff now, I was inspecting her today again. I cant tell if the The tiny bits around her eyes in some of her pictures are little eye lice or now, they do not look like lice up close, maybe i need to use a magnifying glass

 

[Jenbirdee]

I would use the terramycin. You only need a tiny bit, I'd use it once or twice a day for a week or so, see if there is improvement. If you have help to hold her pull down on the bottom lid and put the ointment there, it will spread as it warms to her temp and she blinks. The terramycin will help in case she's developing infection from the irritation.
I wouldn't use DE, it really isn't effective and it's a respiratory irritant also.

I stopped using DE , and I can ask my husband to help me and hold her so I can do the terramycin starting tomorrow morning, thanks

 

[Jenbirdee]

It's likely that the DE did hurt their eyes (and airways). That stuff is too rough on birds.
However, the area around your hens eye is inflamed. The parasites can do that as some are attracted to the eye area.
You might want to try a liquid topical insecticide instead (not near the eyes).
And make sure to clean up any remnants of DE from their housing / where you applied it.

that is sad I feel so sorry for the sweet baby. I did move the 2 chickens into a new coop and I am tearing down the old one , it was getting too old , starting to fall apart and was already remodeled several times.
Yes I think it is inflamed all around her eyes and also not as rosy colored as it should be. she just looks miserable.

 

[Jenbirdee]

It's likely the DE irritated her eyes back when you dusted her, and now the irritation has begun to harbor bacteria. Bacteria likes to move into irritated tissues because it provides a moist warm home to grow.

Continue to rinse her eyes twice a day with saline and use an antibiotic ointment in them twice a day to target the bacteria.

And I think you've discovered all on your own that DE has few positive qualities and too many downside risks. It's made up of millions of tiny bony skeletons of ancient sea creatures that are microscopically sharp and abrasive, and this is very dangerous to delicate respiratory tissues including especially the eyes.

Terramycin ointment is an antibiotic ?

 

[Jenbirdee]

It's likely that the DE did hurt their eyes (and airways). That stuff is too rough on birds.
However, the area around your hens eye is inflamed. The parasites can do that as some are attracted to the eye area.
You might want to try a liquid topical insecticide instead (not near the eyes).
And make sure to clean up any remnants of DE from their housing / where you applied it.

What is a liquid topical insectiicide? you mean like ivermectin? Or the liquid form of permethrin? I bought the liquid permethin and sprayed the old coop with it but used dust on the birds