I think one of my hens is allergic to the new bedding

[kinnip]

Yesterday I noticed one of her eyes was red and swollen. She had no other symptoms, but I decided to isolate her anyway. I put her in a crate with some hay as bedding. This morning both eyes were red and swollen. She's out of the crate and away from the hay now and the swelling is going down fast. It occurs to me that the shavings I've been using the past two weeks are a different brand and consistency from previous shavings. These have a lot more dust associated with them. I wonder if she's just super sensitive to some substances. While that would be a relatively welcome reason for the swelling, I just changed the bedding yesterday and am just broke enough to cringe at the idea of throwing it all out. Maybe she can live in the house for a week while the others get things nice and dirty, then I can change it on schedule. Oh, yeah, the BF'll love that! Anyone have a good diaper pattern?

 

[PeeperKeeper]

I think you are on the right track. If the dust is irritating her sinuses you would probably see swelling around or with the eyes as that's where sinus problems show themselves.

 

[Chickie Mamma]

Ah ha!! I have had a similar problem and I thought I was nuts!! My light/dark brahma "Frank" would sneeze and have some breathing problems when I used hay. I use pine shavings now and it has not been a problem until I ran out and lined the nest boxes with hay last week. She started sneezing and breathing funny again. I took it all out and used the shavings again, she's better. I am allergic to hay, so she must get it from her mommy

 

[PeeperKeeper]

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