Inky won’t open her eyes! Help!?

[micstrachan]

Please don’t soak her up to her neck right now until you get more advice on the subject. I only say so because I had a sick hen who I dipped to cool off on a hot day and she died a dramatic, yelling, flapping death IMMEDIATELY afterward. Different circumstances, but I had to share that, just in case.

 

[micstrachan]

I do think the partial (warm) soak while using the washcloth to go up further might be good. I just wonder if I collapsed my girl’s lung, (she was gurgling beforehand) and I believe you mentioned a possible respiratory issue. Wouldn’t want anyone to repeat my mistake.

 

[Sunshine Flock]

Please don’t soak her up to her neck right now until you get more advice on the subject. I only say so because I had a sick hen who I dipped to cool off on a hot day and she died a dramatic, yelling, flapping death IMMEDIATELY afterward. Different circumstances, but I had to share that, just in case.

I'm not suggesting to leave her in a tub up to her neck. Just have something deep enough for dipping her. With my rooster I used a washcloth to saturate his wounds and feathers.

I'm sorry to hear about your chicken, though. I dipped my chickens during the extreme heat we had in Redding last summer. Terrible, horrible heat. I noticed they panted less after dips, but none were sick.

 

[Sunshine Flock]

I do think the partial (warm) soak while using the washcloth to go up further might be good. I just wonder if I collapsed my girl’s lung, (she was gurgling beforehand) and I believe you mentioned a possible respiratory issue. Wouldn’t want anyone to repeat my mistake.

When I swim anymore, I feel pressure and a tightness in my chest. It's alarming. I think my anxiety has affected my heart over the years. Being in the water for some reason bears down on my chest. I wonder if something similar happened to your dear hen. Thank you for sharing this.

 

[micstrachan]

When I swim anymore, I feel pressure and a tightness in my chest. It's alarming. I think my anxiety has affected my heart over the years. Being in the water for some reason bears down on my chest. I wonder if something similar happened to your dear hen. Thank you for sharing this.

That sounds a bit scary. Thank YOU for sharing.

 

[Sunshine Flock]

That sounds a bit scary. Thank YOU for sharing.

I noticed that if my heart rate is up from, say, jumping into the water from a boat and swimming a short distance, the tightness significantly increases. Her heart rate may have already been up from the heat and her respiratory problem, and then anxiety from dipping her could have exacerbated the situation and led to her sudden death. How could you have possibly known this would happen? I lost a dear hen a few months ago and feel responsible. It's quite a learning process raising chickens.

I'm praying for dear Inky. Please keep us updated on any changes. The bruising seems normal. It took a few days for bruising to develop when my rooster was injured. Swelling, however, is concerning.

 

[Ryn]

I would give her warm epsom salt baths up to her neck. You can dip her or use a washcloth to saturate her feathers over and over again. You may need your husband to help with this, but while she's in the bath try using cotton swabs and gently clean her face and head. It will be much easier assessing her progress if you can see her skin.

Just assume there are puncture wounds you can't see. The epsom salt baths are great for this so long as you repeatedly flush water up under her feathers.

Is her comb dirty and that's why it's so dark?

As for her swollen eyes, I'm not familiar with this, but your treatment approach seems to be good.

Try giving her some canned tuna or salmon. My rooster prefers salmon and wouldn't touch the tuna. If she responds to the salmon (unsalted), you can make a mash with her regular feed and add a generous amount of salmon for taste and additional protein.

@Hen Pen Jem

Yes her comb is very dirty and she doesn’t care for me to touch it so I have been hesitant! Would you suggest trimming the feathers around her neck to better visualize the area? I will give her an epsom bath this evening! And try some canned tuna!! Thank you very much!! I really appreciate the advice!

 

[Hen Pen Jem]

Greetings Ryn,

Your poor hen...she took a powerful hit from that owl. It is a miracle that she survived!

I agree with micstrachan and CarolinaSunshineFlock, keep searching for puncture wounds, till you are certain there are none. Besides talons, the owl will use its hooked beak to rip and tear. The neck is often a the first target of the beak.

It may be that your hen is suffering from shock.

It is very difficult to save a bird once they are in shock. But, some do survive and have a full recovery. It depends on the kind of shock affecting the body.

Neurogenic shock happens when there is: primary nervous system disorders, toxicity, heatstroke, or head trauma. Animals in this condition often appear to be sleeping with eyes closed or under anesthesia.

Heart rate and blood pressure are reduced. Dehydration also, can be a problem, because the bird is not able to take in water. Administering water orally is also dangerous, as the bird can breath the fluid into it's airway and suffer pulmonary aspiration. Sometimes subcutaneous fluids are the only way to re-hydrate. So, it is encouraging that your hen is not only alert, but also drinking on her own!

These are some additional things you may want to do:

• Gentle Massage: around the eyes, the ear lobes, solar plexus - with the your fingers together, lightly press and swirl over the solar plexis (in a chicken it starts at the bottom of the crop and down over the upper keel bone), the chicken will feel peaceful during this gentle massage, and it will stimulate confidence in the chicken, as well as, allow you to share your healing energy through touch. Talk to her in soft encouraging tones during the massage.
• Oral feeding with oral syringe or pilling: Hemp Protein is highly nutritious and easily fed with oral syringe. Pilling is simply making food into pea sized balls and placing in the chickens mouth, so they can swallow it themselves. But, your hen is alert, so just hand feed her: diced cooked meat protein, cooked grains like brown rice, oat groats, pearl barley, diced juicy fruits, shredded cabbage, bits of lightly toasted bread with butter or coconut oil.
• Echinacea tea to boost the immune system, steep one tea bag in a cup of hot water, 2 min. add to two quarts water. Chamomile, is good for fright or nervousness, but she seems to be doing OK, in that respect.
• Electrolytes may be needed for a day or two, to improve brain, nerve and muscle functions.
• Soft music, at least 6 hours a day, to stimulate the brain and calm.

Some of these things may seem strange to many keepers. But, I believe in holistic healing - the mind, the body, and the spirit depend on each other. The addition of a positive and clean environment and good diet will also give the bird a better chance for survival.

If her eyes have not been punctured or infected, she will open them when her internal body functions have re-balanced. You are doing a great job of caring for her eyes.

You are looking at a healing process that can take, from one to several months.

In the end, if the bird is not able to survive, your spirit will be at peace, that you did everything you could to help this precious hen.

These are my thoughts on additional healing. I hope they are helpful.


God's Blessings to you and your sweet hen "Inky".

 

[Ryn]

Greetings Ryn,

Your poor hen...she took a powerful hit from that owl. It is a miracle that she survived!

I agree with micstrachan and CarolinaSunshineFlock, keep searching for puncture wounds, till you are certain there are none. Besides talons, the owl will use its hooked beak to rip and tear. The neck is often a the first target of the beak.

It may be that your hen is suffering from shock.

It is very difficult to save a bird once they are in shock. But, some do survive and have a full recovery. It depends on the kind of shock affecting the body.

Neurogenic shock happens when there is: primary nervous system disorders, toxicity, heatstroke, or head trauma. Animals in this condition often appear to be sleeping with eyes closed or under anesthesia.

Heart rate and blood pressure are reduced. Dehydration also, can be a problem, because the bird is not able to take in water. Administering water orally is also dangerous, as the bird can breath the fluid into it's airway and suffer pulmonary aspiration. Sometimes subcutaneous fluids are the only way to re-hydrate. So, it is encouraging that your hen is not only alert, but also drinking on her own!

These are some additional things you may want to do:

• Gentle Massage: around the eyes, the ear lobes, solar plexus - with the your fingers together, lightly press and swirl over the solar plexis (in a chicken it starts at the bottom of the crop and down over the upper keel bone), the chicken will feel peaceful during this gentle massage, and it will stimulate confidence in the chicken, as well as, allow you to share your healing energy through touch. Talk to her in soft encouraging tones during the massage.
• Oral feeding with oral syringe or pilling: Hemp Protein is highly nutritious and easily fed with oral syringe. Pilling is simply making food into pea sized balls and placing in the chickens mouth, so they can swallow it themselves. But, your hen is alert, so just hand feed her: diced cooked meat protein, cooked grains like brown rice, oat groats, pearl barley, diced juicy fruits, shredded cabbage, bits of lightly toasted bread with butter or coconut oil.
• Echinacea tea to boost the immune system, steep one tea bag in a cup of hot water, 2 min. add to two quarts water. Chamomile, is good for fright or nervousness, but she seems to be doing OK, in that respect.
• Electrolytes may be needed for a day or two, to improve brain, nerve and muscle functions.
• Soft music, at least 6 hours a day, to stimulate the brain and calm.

Some of these things may seem strange to many keepers. But, I believe in holistic healing - the mind, the body, and the spirit depend on each other. The addition of a positive and clean environment and good diet will also give the bird a better chance for survival.

If her eyes have not been punctured or infected, she will open them when her internal body functions have re-balanced. You are doing a great job of caring for her eyes.

You are looking at a healing process that can take, from one to several months.

In the end, if the bird is not able to survive, your spirit will be at peace, that you did everything you could to help this precious hen.

These are my thoughts on additional healing. I hope they are helpful.


God's Blessings to you and your sweet hen "Inky".

I don’t think it strange- I studied massage therapy while in college and firmly believe in healing touch! I have been practicing this on her but I will incorporate the specific areas you suggested. I also told my husband she needed a radio! We are gonna have to look for one in the garage. Thank you for your advice!

 

[Sunshine Flock]

Greetings Ryn,

Your poor hen...she took a powerful hit from that owl. It is a miracle that she survived!

I agree with micstrachan and CarolinaSunshineFlock, keep searching for puncture wounds, till you are certain there are none. Besides talons, the owl will use its hooked beak to rip and tear. The neck is often a the first target of the beak.

It may be that your hen is suffering from shock.

It is very difficult to save a bird once they are in shock. But, some do survive and have a full recovery. It depends on the kind of shock affecting the body.

Neurogenic shock happens when there is: primary nervous system disorders, toxicity, heatstroke, or head trauma. Animals in this condition often appear to be sleeping with eyes closed or under anesthesia.

Heart rate and blood pressure are reduced. Dehydration also, can be a problem, because the bird is not able to take in water. Administering water orally is also dangerous, as the bird can breath the fluid into it's airway and suffer pulmonary aspiration. Sometimes subcutaneous fluids are the only way to re-hydrate. So, it is encouraging that your hen is not only alert, but also drinking on her own!

These are some additional things you may want to do:

• Gentle Massage: around the eyes, the ear lobes, solar plexus - with the your fingers together, lightly press and swirl over the solar plexis (in a chicken it starts at the bottom of the crop and down over the upper keel bone), the chicken will feel peaceful during this gentle massage, and it will stimulate confidence in the chicken, as well as, allow you to share your healing energy through touch. Talk to her in soft encouraging tones during the massage.
• Oral feeding with oral syringe or pilling: Hemp Protein is highly nutritious and easily fed with oral syringe. Pilling is simply making food into pea sized balls and placing in the chickens mouth, so they can swallow it themselves. But, your hen is alert, so just hand feed her: diced cooked meat protein, cooked grains like brown rice, oat groats, pearl barley, diced juicy fruits, shredded cabbage, bits of lightly toasted bread with butter or coconut oil.
• Echinacea tea to boost the immune system, steep one tea bag in a cup of hot water, 2 min. add to two quarts water. Chamomile, is good for fright or nervousness, but she seems to be doing OK, in that respect.
• Electrolytes may be needed for a day or two, to improve brain, nerve and muscle functions.
• Soft music, at least 6 hours a day, to stimulate the brain and calm.

Some of these things may seem strange to many keepers. But, I believe in holistic healing - the mind, the body, and the spirit depend on each other. The addition of a positive and clean environment and good diet will also give the bird a better chance for survival.

If her eyes have not been punctured or infected, she will open them when her internal body functions have re-balanced. You are doing a great job of caring for her eyes.

You are looking at a healing process that can take, from one to several months.

In the end, if the bird is not able to survive, your spirit will be at peace, that you did everything you could to help this precious hen.

These are my thoughts on additional healing. I hope they are helpful.


God's Blessings to you and your sweet hen "Inky".

Wonderful, heartfelt, insightful suggestions as always. I always learn something new from you. You, dear Hen Pen, played a vital role in helping Henry the Rooster heal.



As for trimming back her neck feathers, my feeling is that if you do this in the middle of winter, you'll need to wait for them to regrow before being able to leave her outside overnight. I'd say trim feathers back around any visible wounds, and since her neck is easier to inspect than elsewhere, lift her feathers back toward her head whenever you hold her and look at skin tone and inspect for signs of additional wounds.

It may be easier to see her wounds and skin when she's in a warm bath. Also, the epsom salts will saturate any wounds you can't see and help them heal. You'll want to regularly flush her neck with a saturated washcloth.