New Member needs help, please.

[Missterrio]

Hello,

I am new here and need some serious help, please.

I have 6 silkie hens, but 2 of them are looking like this (see photos). Can someone tell me what this is and how to treat it? This happened in just a matter of a few days. I don't understand what's going on as I have never seen anything like this before. I feel so bad for them!

 

[AnneGirlGG]

Are their eyes crusted? Itlooks like it in the pictures, but I want to be sure. How old are they? What sort of diet you have them on? Any symptoms like sneezing? How does their poop look?

 

[Missterrio]

One eye on each is crusted. They are 8 & 9 months old. They are on the Kalmbach feed pellets and they get treats like mealworms sunflower seeds, etc. There do not seem to be any other symptoms, they are eating and drinking well. The poo seems fine as well.

Could it be mites?

 

[AnneGirlGG]

Possibly. But it could also be a respiratory thing like MG. Do you have Terramycin? It is good for eyes, but it unfortunately requires a prescription, as far as I know. Someone here may have a work-around, though.

I did find an old thread on here that said that feathers rubbing consistently on a silkie's eyes can cause irritation. They suggested trimming the feathers back around the eyes.

@Debbie292d is our silkie expert. She may have some better advice for you.

 

[Missterrio]

That I can do, but I'm really concerned about the feather loss and the crust all over their heads.

 

[Fluffy_Butt_Hutt]

Seeing from other instances on this site of swelling around the eye have been caused by infections from a small scratch near the eye.

 

[AnneGirlGG]

That I can do, but I'm really concerned about the feather loss and the crust all over their heads.

Yeah, I'm not sure about the feather loss. Is it anywhere else on their bodies, or just the head? Have you looked up under their wings and around their vents closely to see if you can see any mites? I'm sorry I'm not more help, I'm still new to owning chickens. I'm hoping by keeping your thread active, you'll get the right help.

 

[Eggcessive]

Perhaps more pictures close up would be helpful. They may have been scratching at their eyes because of the eye drainage. I agree it may be a respiratory disease such as MG (mycoplasma gallisepticum) but hard to know for sure. Rinsing the eye with saline or an eye wash, and applying a dab of antibiotic ointment twice a day may be helpful and soothing. Terramycin or Vetericyn eye gel, or even plain triple antibiotic Neosporin ointment can do in a pinch. You can get saline or Bausch and Lomb eye wash at most pharmacies. Look their skin over for evidence of lice or mites.

 

[Missterrio]

Perhaps more pictures close up would be helpful. They may have been scratching at their eyes because of the eye drainage. I agree it may be a respiratory disease such as MG (mycoplasma gallisepticum) but hard to know for sure. Rinsing the eye with saline or an eye wash, and applying a dab of antibiotic ointment twice a day may be helpful and soothing. Terramycin or Vetericyn eye gel, or even plain triple antibiotic Neosporin ointment can do in a pinch. You can get saline or Bausch and Lomb eye wash at most pharmacies. Look their skin over for evidence of lice or mites.

We actually saw a couple mites during the inspection of their heads this morning.
Their heads are the only area on their bodies that look like this.

I appreciate the advice very much!

 

[Eggcessive]

You can get some Prozap or Gardstar permethrin garden dust at your feed store to dust the skin, avoiding the eyes a best as you can, to treat the mites. The facilities can be emptied of bedding, and permethrin spray or Elector PSP can be used to treat the coop. Let it dry before adding the chickens.