Its Time To NAME THAT EYE PROBLEM!!!Update: PG 11 bottom of Post #101

[The Wolf Queen]

OK cleaned everything and scooped so much poo im seeing brown LOL. Thankfully I just bout 2 dog kennels that I will go over with chicken wire and put a roof and cover tarps and stuff on, and as soon as Im done I will move all the ones that didnt catch the pink eye in the bigger one. Since there is a chance that all of them in each now coop have been exposed would it hurt to mix them in the kennel? PS ITS HUGE and I plan on buying and going over at least as many that will fill half my fence line which is around 3/4 of a long acre so yeah thats probably at least 7 of these babies.

Update: Theres good news and bad news. 3 are getting better including the roo in the first post plus an EE cross and one of my cochin d uccles. The bad news is that 2 are getting worse. Both banties, a Jap and a Cochin. One cant completely close her eye anymore and the other cant open it. I have to gently open her eye lid to put the drops in and then a few hours later its seals shut again

. Im gonna call my mom and give her the vet's number, that threehorses recomended and have her call again.

 

[PurpleChicken]

Actually, the good news is no new cases.

 

[The Wolf Queen]

YEP Im SOOOO relieved about that. I just keep hoping the doc was right though, about after its gone its gone and that it doesnt become genetic. Hey does anyone know if there is a certain place on a chickens eye to get the puss out (the doctor did it to my roo but he didnt show me where

)?

 

[threehorses]

Quote:
True- that's the best news.

On the ones that are 'worse', are you cleaning out their eye before putting the drops in? That might help. Sterile Eye Wash or saline eye wash would both be gentle on the eye and help to let the meds do their work better.

Sounds like you got a LOT of work done! GOOD! I don't think at this point we can officially say what the true start of this was, but I can guarantee that the conditions were at least part of the problem. And I know for a fact that giving them more fresh air, better over all conditions, will help them to heal.

I think that you'll find that more space keeps the space cleaner too as the bedding will have more of a chance to air out and not get packed. Make sure to keep it fluffy with a rake.

As for the kennel mixing, name the groups off to me, if you would please?

For example:

6 month olds - pink eye group- 6 birds
10 month olds - no sign yet - 6 birds

etc. If you don't mind. Thanks! And again, good job on improving your bird's conditions.

 

[The Wolf Queen]

3 months
-Both have been exposed to sick birds at the beggining but neither groups have had any more birds that show signs of the said illness.
2 months

Where do I get the eye wash and how do I apply it? If you already mentioned this im sorry ive read alot of recomended treatments so far LOL

 

[threehorses]

Then I'd just keep the literally ill birds in one place, and the non-ill in another.

On the eye wash, you can get it in the pharmacy. Sterile Eye Wash is usually in the first-aid section. It contains boric acid and sterile water. It's meant to clean out scratched and injured eyes gently. Saline eye wash would be in the same section or the eye section. You might have to ask the pharmacist to tell it apart from the other eye washes and drops. Tell him you're cleaning an infected eye before you put the medication in.

You can also make saline by putting 1 teaspoon of table salt in 1 quart of water, boiling it, allowing it to cool.

 

[zowieyellowflame]

I am SSOOOOO glad that some of the chickens display different eye symptoms. The recent ones really sound like conjunctivitis, with the eye almost shut, pus, etc. This is good! In humans, we don't flush out the puss though I imagine people themselves feel more comfortable to pull it out. I wouldn't try to take it out of the chickens eye though, but a flush should be fine. Just get saline from the drugstore, likely in the contact lens solution section. It is only 4 or 5 dollars a bottle. Just have someone hold them, try to use your fingers to pry the eye open, and squirt a steady stream for a few long seconds. Be very careful to not touch the tip of the bottle to the eye and wash your hands between each bird. Do not touch the inside of the cap. Also be careful not to touch the good eye, if the bird only has one eye infected. If this really is pink eye, and I hope it is, pink eye is VERY contagious. Each time you handle a bird with pink eye, or even each time you touch their waterers and such, scrub your hands for 30 seconds with soap under hot water. Use paper towel to dry your hands. These hygiene measures should be practiced when administering their drops as well. I bet you are doing this stuff, just want to be sure.

 

[The Wolf Queen]

Going to Walgreens now. BRB

 

[zowieyellowflame]

Quote:
This is not recommended for eye wash. If there is ever an irritation or abrasion on the cornea, it becomes vulnerable to pathogens. Some pathogens are very resistant to heat and also, saline in a bottle comes in squirt form, in a sterile container. If you boil water, you have troubles with application and storage. Hope this helps! Saline in a bottle is worth the drive!

 

[threehorses]

Quote:
This is not recommended for eye wash. If there is ever an irritation or abrasion on the cornea, it becomes vulnerable to pathogens. Some pathogens are very resistant to heat and also, saline in a bottle comes in squirt form, in a sterile container. If you boil water, you have troubles with application and storage. Hope this helps! Saline in a bottle is worth the drive!

eek my bad! I was thinking wounds and I think my brain is tired. Thanks for catching that!

I go back to my original recommendations (and those of Zowie's other post which look awesome).