My chickens eye is almost swollen shut.

[Pretty Birds]

This morning I went to feed my chickens and let them go outside. I noticed one of my New Hampshire Reds seemed to have one side of her face swollen. I didn't think much of, but then she came back in the coop, and she is missing an eye! She is acting completely normal, and none of the other chickens are bothering her. Is there anything I should do? Is she going to be okay? Would you like me to post pictures?

 

[FlyingNunFarm]

Is that swollen area under her eye hard or squishy? I would try and get whatever is in there out. It could be fluid build up or it could be puss.

I would try and flush the eye out. Makes sure there isn't anything in there. Some saline or distilled water.

There is an antibiotic eye ointment you can buy over the counter for animals. I would get that and goop her eye up pretty good. It will keep her eye moist and keep the lids from sticking shut.

Keep us posted!

 

[Pretty Birds]

Update: her eye is back to normal. Each day the swelling went down, and she's fine now.

 

[Isaac 0]

Some Pictures would be great.

 

[FlyingNunFarm]

Some pictures to satisfy our curiosity is nice. LOL
They can survive with one eye. They can survive blind. Keep an eye (no pun intended) that the others don't start to pick on her but she should be fine.

 

[Pretty Birds]

She still has her eye, I can see the pupil.

 

[FlyingNunFarm]

I have The Chickens Health Book 2nd edition by Gail Damerow. I says to treat a chicken's eye by using Systane eye drops. Will that work?

I've never used that but if its formulated for eyes I don't see why not. You don't want contact solution or visine type things. They have additives that can do more harm to an already damaged eye.

 

[Pretty Birds]

Upon closer inspection, she does still have her eye, but it is nearly swollen shut, with a dent underneath it (I assume where a chicken pecked her). It seems a little liquidy on and around the eye.

 

[Pretty Birds]

Good news! I went out to feed the chickens some lettuce and check on the chicken's eye. It is still swollen under the eye, but her eyeball in fully visible, she is blinking, and can see with it. I have not done any treatment, and I think I might let it heal on it's own. Is that is good idea?

 

[TinaMarieofFL]

Flush with copious amount of clean water, saline or a very diluted antiseptic. The slather the entire area with bacitracin, Neosporin or something similar. Needs to be kinda greasy to keep the eyeball moist. Will probably need to be treated several times. Good luck. Hate to any animal injured or suffering.