My chickens eye is almost swollen shut.

[Pretty Birds]

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?

 

[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]

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?

 

[SurferchickinSB]

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?

It might heal on its own but most likely it will get infected so if you can get her some antibiotics from the vet. Keep an eye on her and make sure the other chickens do not peck at her anymore, sometimes once a chicken has an injury the rest will attack it. If they continue, try to separate her with some chicken wire until she heals up, but don’t separate her from the flock.

 

[ValerieJ]

I think you need to treat it. I wouldn't just let it heal on its own. Wild and feral animals and birds die all the time from simple infections. Sounds to me like the treatment is easy and inexpensive. You can get what you need at a TSC or other local farm store. Good luck!

 

[Pretty Birds]

I checked on her again, and her eye is fine, it is just a little swollen underneath it. I read some old threads and compared pictures, and I think it is a bee sting. I did a Google Search and a vet said that a chicken's body will heal a bee sting on it's own. Should I wait and see if she gets better, and only treat her if it gets worse?

 

[Pretty Birds]

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

 

[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.

 

[Eggcessive]

Did you get the pus out? Any current pictures? Pus that has collected and hardened around an infected eye sometimes may need to be squeezed out with some pressure.