Please help! Eye "gooped" shut!!!

[krissie02]

When I checked on her tonight to see why she was crouching a little sideways, I found this. I saw her lay like this yesterday but couldn't see anything, I thought it was a wing injury. When I got close to her she closed her eyes but she wouldn't open this one so I looked further and it's gooped shut! I don't know what it is and what to do but I've had a heck o

f a time losing my chickens lately to different things... I can't bear the thought of losing another one

please help! We do not have a vet around that sees chickens

 

[purpletree23]

Looks like infectious coryza. Search this site for antibiotic information and dosage. You will have to treat the entire flock and if they survive they will always be carriers and infect other birds you bring into the flock. You can ease her eye irritation by soaking a cotton ball with sterile saline solution and gently apply to her eye. It will foam a bit like peroxide but that's normal. Put food and water in front of her and raise it up to her beak to make sure she eats and drinks.

If you are losing other birds to different causes you might want to take a step back and really look at how you are raising them. Is their coop too small, using the wrong type of food or even spoiled food, cleanliness of water, too much humidity in coop or a number of other things.

Please keep in mind that sometimes when we do EVERYTHING right things can go wrong. Chickens are susceptible to hundreds of bacteria and viruses and physical deformities inside and out. Deformities are from bad breeding practices or just mother nature.

Don't be hard on yourself. Believe me when I say that all of us have been through it.

 

[iwiw60]

Yes, a perfect example of Coryza...here's a page to help you:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/912104/chicks-sick-help



Good luck and keep us updated!

 

[seminolewind]

I've had my 2nd swollen shut eye this summer. I think it's the flies. Mine are both a few years old, and have had no new chickens around. So I washed the eyes out, put triple antibiotic ointment on, and put LS-50 in the water. They did heal pretty quick. Both were at different times.

I hope your chicken has something simple like that.

I agree with Purpletree23 about stepping back and taking a good look.

 

[Eggcessive]

Sometimes it is hard to tell whether swollen eyes with discharge is from MG, coryza, or from peck wounds. Most of the respiratory diseases are chronic, and can make carriers of a flock. Making sure that the coop has plenty of good ventilation, is not too hot, and is dry with no dust or ammonia odor, can go a long way in preventing respiratory diseases. Here is a good link to read about diseases, symptoms, and treatments: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ps044

 

[krissie02]

Thanks guys, we are new at chickens and have a bad rash with deaths. I just finished a mite problem, an injured leg (and she died too) and then just unexplained deaths, ones that didn't look sick. I tried the all natural way but I think I'm gonna start using antibiotics in my water. I already added the vitamins and electrolytes and the wormer... This morning she looked good so I don't know! Ahhh!
It's all a little overwhelming and people made it sounds SOO simple!

 

[iwiw60]

Could you post some pics of your coop/run area inside and outside? I think with some visual info we might be able to help you better. Could very well be a problem with your setup in general.

 

[purpletree23]

Please, please, please do not put any antibiotics in their water unless you know what you need to treat. The bacteria can mutate and cause 'SUPER BUGS' that are resistant to antibiotics. You have to know what you are treating and dosage and how long. There are multiple infection in humans that only respond to the strongest antibiotics we have. Many people die. Sounds like the end of the world in the future but it's happening now. You don't want to contribute to an antibiotic resistant infection.

Why a wormer now? It has noting to do with her eye. Wait until she is better and them treat for worms if you like.

Again like I said before you need to look at the coop and run conditions. Something is not right. Look at everything from food to water etc. How did the hen cut her leg? Is there a piece of sharp wire sticking out somewhere? Why the mites? Do they have a good dust bath? If they do you can add a little poultry dust to the dirt and it will help with lice or mites. If they don't make one. A plastic child's pool works great.

Chickens are not simple. They are just like dogs or cats. Need good healthy food, clean water, dry place to sleep with plenty of fresh air.

Keep us posted. Glad your hen is better.

 

[seminolewind]

At the bottom of my posts, there's a link to The Big Marek's FAQ written by Nambroth. I would want anyone to read it if they've had several unexplained deaths. Aspergillosis is another ailment that can show up as unexplained deaths. Either they will be something informative or something to rule out.

The eye could possibly be a sign of a poor immune system caused by those illnesses above and others. I don't think you can mix Tylan and electrolytes in the same water. I would try Tylan because you have nothing to lose, and I personally would try that first. IMO!!!!!!!

 

[krissie02]

I said wormer because it says if they eat fast but have slow growth rate it could be worms, especially since I have been free ranging them. I have considered it is something in my yard. I think the morning dew is causing mold too. I will try to get some pics up soon