newenglandchicks
Hatching
- Nov 1, 2025
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Hi all, today we noticed a new onset foamy right eye in this small 2.5 year old Ameraucana. The eye foam was a very noticeable white color, so it’s unlikely we missed it for longer than a day or two. On closer inspection there was some dry crust around the affected eye and yellow dry waxy discharge around the ear on the same side.
She does not currently have nasal discharge, cough, diarrhea, putrid odor, or loss of appetite. Things that may be symptoms include head shaking, frequent crop adjustment, and two weeks without egg production. None of our other chickens have these symptoms; however, all five of our flock have been molting since first frost, so the halt in egg production could be due to either molting or infection.
Our five chickens were ordered from McMurray and were vaccinated as chicks. They live in a well-ventilated coop with frequent bedding changes and no smell of ammonia. We had our first frost about two weeks ago, but have not yet had consistent temperature below freezing. We have not introduced any new chickens throughout their entire lifetime.
To observe and treat, we quarantined, then softened and cleaned the crust with Vetericyn Plus, but the eye continued to produce foamy discharge. Cleaning did not produce debris or dust that may have caused irritation. The opposite eye and ear both appeared clear. In quarantine she continued to eat and drink as normal.
I consulted Damerow’s Chicken Health Handbook for diagnostics and couldn’t find options other than conjunctivitis (hopeful) or chronic respiratory disease (worst case). If it’s the latter, we aren’t sure where she would have come into contact with the Mycoplasma gallisepticum. And if it is CRD, our other chickens were almost certainly exposed. It doesn’t seem like we can get antibiotics like Terramicyn, Tygent, Tilosin, or Erithromycin without a prescription, and we aren’t familiar with any local vets that treat chickens. Any advice on how to proceed, or two cents on the diagnosis? Again, this is a very recent development, and I’ll update with new or worsening symptoms if necessary. In the meantime, we will keep her isolated and clean with saline or Vetericyn, and observe the rest of the chickens for similar symptoms. Thanks in advance!
