Itchy eyes and sneezing?

[diddlena148]

I've had my 3 new 16 week old hens for four days now. All seem fine except the light sussex. Shes keeps 'sneezing' and scratching at her face/ eyes one of which has bubbles in the corner of it. I thought she may have got something stuck in her eye but im not sure? I'm new to keeping chickens so would appreciate advice. Thank you

 

[lauralou]

I would separate the sick hen from the others right away.

I'm sorry, I'm not an expert at chicken diseases. Hopefully someone who is will see your post and give you some good advice. Until then, you could use the Search function and see what advice has been given to others who have birds with respiratory problems.

Respiratory problems are serious and are often contagious, so the first move should definitely be separation of the sick hen. Search sneezing and also bubbling, which I believe is a sign of a sinus infection.

Good luck!

 

[needmorechickens!]

My roo, Perkins, had this a few weeks ago when he was about 10 weeks old. He is all better now....

Medicine - Get some terramycin powder from Tractor Supply and add it to all their water. I would still seperate for a couple of weeks if possible, but treat the whole flock since they have been exposed. I used 2 teaspoons to a gallon of water for 3 days then reduced it to 1 teaspoon for 10 days. Some people have said they use 1 Tablespoon to a gallon for 2 weeks, but it didn't take that much for mine. The water will have to be changed everyday.

Comfort - If she is having a lot of trouble breathing, you may want to bring her inside for some cool air. I brought mine in for the first two days.

Feed - Give them a little plain unflavored yogurt everyday to replace their tummy bacteria that the antibiotics will destroy. You can sprinkle some crumbles on it to get them started on the yogurt if they have never tried it.

I had heard that holding them upside down for a few seconds could help clear their sinuses, so I tried it. The first time I did it something came out of his nose (and onto my shirt) that looked like soft butter. (gross!). I bet that felt better out than in though. Anyway, nothing came out when I did it a few days later.

I think my roo had a mild case...if the breathing is rattling or there is a very bad strong smell coming from the mouth, then you may be dealing with CRD or Coryza.
If you do these things and it doesn't seem to be working after three days, then keep asking for help. There is no guarantee this will work for your hen.

Good luck and I hope she feels better soon.:aww
~Rebecca

 

[chicknmania]

The chicken doctor (Peter Brown) told me to use 4 tsp per gallon of the Terramycin powder, for 7 to 10 days, when our chickens had similar symptoms. Just remember if your hen is laying, you can't eat the eggs for two to three weeks after you take her off the antibiotic. In addition to the Terramycin, get some Terramycin eye gel for animals, they sell it at most feed stores or TSC. Wash the eye first with people eye wash you can get at the drug store, or with some of your Terramycin water. Then apply the gel around the eye. Do this twice a day. It should clear up in a few days, but, if it doesn't, there are stronger antibiotics and eye drops you can get, a good place is the Chicken Doctor's website, www.firststatevetsupply.com. Eye problems are common in chickens, they get infections in them sometimes, and sometimes they get respiratory infections too that are easy to clear up this way. But, it is a good idea to keep her isolated from the others, since it could also be the start of a virus. Isolate her preferably so she can at least still hear the others and maybe even so shse can see them, if you can, and still keep her separate.

 

[chicknmania]

PS: 4 tsp per gallon of the Terramycin, and maybe even a little more, will not hurt her. You can even use this much for chicks.You will do more damage if you use too little antibiotic for a long period of time, because they develop a sort of a tolerance to it, and it doesn't do what it's supposed to do. Don't try to interpret, or follow, the directions on the package, because that dosage, once you figure it out

is too low for what you want it forl

 

[diddlena148]

Thanks everyone you've all been really helpful, will take onboard and use your advice. Thank you