Mother-in-law’s chickens…

[Micchiboi]

We are visiting my mother-in-law and her chickens. Several of the chickens have some problems with their eyes (mycoplasma, eye infection?). She has about 12 hens and 5 roosters (I know way too many and I have told her). The roosters are not too kind to the hens so I was wondering if they might have pecked at the hens eyes and they got a bacterial infection? There are 4 hens and 2 rooster that has eye problems now. It looks kinda lika a webb and mist on their eyes. Only the rooster has a lot of tears and mucus in the eye. 2 of the hens are keeping their eyes completely closed. Mother-in-law has asked if we want the hens because she is planning to quit chickens but I do not want to take parasites or diseases back to my coop. Does anyone know what it might be and what we might do the short time we are here?

 

[Eggcessive]

I would clean the eyes with saline and a clean cloth or tissue. Then apply a small dab of Terramycin eye ointment (from the feed store) into the eye 2-3 times a day. If you cannot get that, use plain Neosporin or antibiotic ointment or polysporin eye drops. They do have conjunctivitis and it possibly could be from MG, a common chronic respiratory disease. Other signs include eyelid or facial swelling, eye bubbles or foam, sleepiness, and a decrease in laying. Tylosin (1 tsp per gallon )in the water for 5 days can treat symptoms. You definitely do nit want to take these chickens home if they have MG. Testing can be done to rule it out by contacting Zoologix or Vet DNA (RAL Labs). Here is some reading about MG:
https://extension.umd.edu/sites/ext... Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) Infecti....pdf

 

[Eggcessive]

Here are some links for RAL and Zoologix testing labs where they send you materials to collect swabs and send them back for a PCR test:
https://www.vetdna.com/

https://www.zoologix.com/

 

[Micchiboi]

I would clean the eyes with saline and a clean cloth or tissue. Then apply a small dab of Terramycin eye ointment (from the feed store) into the eye 2-3 times a day. If you cannot get that, use plain Neosporin or antibiotic ointment or polysporin eye drops. They do have conjunctivitis and it possibly could be from MG, a common chronic respiratory disease. Other signs include eyelid or facial swelling, eye bubbles or foam, sleepiness, and a decrease in laying. Tylosin (1 tsp per gallon )in the water for 5 days can treat symptoms. You definitely do nit want to take these chickens home if they have MG. Testing can be done to rule it out by contacting Zoologix or Vet DNA (RAL Labs). Here is some reading about MG:
https://extension.umd.edu/sites/extension.umd.edu/files/2022-04/FS-1008 Recognizing and Preventing Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) Infecti....pdf

Thanks for the reply! Unfortunately we do not have any medicine/anitibiotics or ointments here in Norway for chickens. It’s not allowed to sell over the counter. I will contact the local vet here and see what we can get. Again. Thank you

 

[Eggcessive]

You can make sterile saline to use in eyes or wounds by heating a liter of water, and adding 2 tsp (9 grams) of salt/sodium chloride. Bring it to a boil in a sauce pan, reduce to a simmer for 15 minutes. Store it in a sterile canning jar. That can be used to flush the eyes twice a day. Does your pharmacy have any eye wash, such as Bausch and Lomb for sale? I would also check with your feed or farm supply for any eye wash materials.

 

[Micchiboi]

You can make sterile saline to use in eyes or wounds by heating a liter of water, and adding 2 tsp (9 grams) of salt/sodium chloride. Bring it to a boil in a sauce pan, reduce to a simmer for 15 minutes. Store it in a sterile canning jar. That can be used to flush the eyes twice a day. Does your pharmacy have any eye wash, such as Bausch and Lomb for sale? I would also check with your feed or farm supply for any eye wash materials.

Thank you! I will try that and call for a vet tomorrow. I will try the saline treatment until I get a new treatment