Scratched and split eyelid

[Foxxy76]

I have a chick with a split eye lid. I think she may have been scratched by one of the older chicks. I have separated her, my daughter helped make her a cone so she can't reach her eye and I am treating with ophthalmic teramycin ointment BID. I can't find a vet that works on chickens here locally and the only other chicken advice I can get is what I'm doing now, leave it or cull. I dont want to cull as I am trying to raise more blue laced wyandottes. I wanted to put a suture bandage on it and wrap but she is to wiggly even with help holding her. Any thing I can do?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

For me, I would be inclined to keep it clean, apply the ointment and let it heal.
Let's see what @Eggcessive and @coach723 think.

I like the cone! Nice idea, can you share how you made it?

 

[coach723]

I agree, I would go with the ointment and let it heal. The cone is cute! Good idea!
I think that it will likely be fine once it's healed. There may be a bit of 'imperfection' but I don't think it will affect her long term, and it won't be passed on to chicks. I don't think suturing that close to the eye would work very well.

 

[Foxxy76]

For me, I would be inclined to keep it clean, apply the ointment and let it heal.
Let's see what @Eggcessive and @coach723 think.

I like the cone! Nice idea, can you share how you made it?

We made the cone from a plastic milk jug top. Thank you all for the help! I will keep it clean and keep applying the ointment! Thank you! I just hate that she has an injury. Love these silly birds!

 

[RainbowHen]

Sounds like you are doing just fine. I definitely would not suture it. Good job!

 

[Foxxy76]

Sounds like you are doing just fine. I definitely would not suture it. Good job!

Thank you!

 

[Foxxy76]

I agree, I would go with the ointment and let it heal. The cone is cute! Good idea!
I think that it will likely be fine once it's healed. There may be a bit of 'imperfection' but I don't think it will affect her long term, and it won't be passed on to chicks. I don't think suturing that close to the eye would work very well.

Thank you for the help! I'll definitely look after my girl!

 

[Eggcessive]

I agree with others to just use the ointment in the eye twice a day and let it heal.

 

[Chicalina]

one of my chicks had its eye stuck together on day two and even though I very gently moistened it to loosen it, the eyelid tore a tiny bit on the edge, similar to yours. it wasn't infected and the chick didn't even notice so I didn't use any ointment or anything. It healed up very quickly on its own and now you would only notice if you knew about it.

My advice is don't mess with it unless an infection sets in. It will heal quicker left alone.

 

[Foxxy76]

Just an update! Our girl is doing much better! Off the ointment and out of the cone!