Sick chicken(s)?

Katieskerlong

Chirping
Mar 8, 2025
58
50
61
Hi everyone. I’m trying to figure out what’s going on with my silkies. I’ve noticed mild lethargy with a few of my silkies, specifically the younger ones. On top of that I have one in particular who started having eye swelling and discharge from the eye. A runny nose that comes and goes randomly too. I took her to the vet and they said likely an eye injury, they cleaned it and sent us on our way with eye drops. They seem to have made some difference as the eye has cleared up some and swelling has gone down, however runny nose is persistent. And now I have another young silkie whose eye is starting to swell. I noticed lethargic and hunched earlier too.
Aside from that, my flock seems okay. I’ve separated the two sick and praying the others are okay. I have 30 birds so I’m worried.
One of my broody silkie hens face changes in shades of purple to red and I can’t tell if her face swells ever so slightly or if I’m just paranoid. I’ve chalked the changing color up to her getting worked up because she’s VERY protective and territorial right now. Anyway, enough with my ranting. Any ideas? They’re all eating like usual, like they’re starving. And drinking fine. They also scratch around like normal. Just a few with low energy. I may take them back to the vet Monday if symptoms persist. Picture of my sick girl
IMG_0522.jpeg
 
Hi everyone. I’m trying to figure out what’s going on with my silkies. I’ve noticed mild lethargy with a few of my silkies, specifically the younger ones. On top of that I have one in particular who started having eye swelling and discharge from the eye. A runny nose that comes and goes randomly too. I took her to the vet and they said likely an eye injury, they cleaned it and sent us on our way with eye drops. They seem to have made some difference as the eye has cleared up some and swelling has gone down, however runny nose is persistent. And now I have another young silkie whose eye is starting to swell. I noticed lethargic and hunched earlier too.
Aside from that, my flock seems okay. I’ve separated the two sick and praying the others are okay. I have 30 birds so I’m worried.
One of my broody silkie hens face changes in shades of purple to red and I can’t tell if her face swells ever so slightly or if I’m just paranoid. I’ve chalked the changing color up to her getting worked up because she’s VERY protective and territorial right now. Anyway, enough with my ranting. Any ideas? They’re all eating like usual, like they’re starving. And drinking fine. They also scratch around like normal. Just a few with low energy. I may take them back to the vet Monday if symptoms persist. Picture of my sick girl View attachment 4119520
Can you get some photos of the swelling and the eyes?

You may have a respiratory illness going around since more than one is affected, hard to know.

General care is to flush eyes, remove any debris/pus and put an ointment like Terramycin eye ointment in the eye a couple of times a day.

Trim facial feathers from around the eyes so the birds can see well and stay cleaner as well.

If symptoms persist, you can try treating with Tylosin in addition to caring for the eyes daily or reconsult your vet to see if testing can be done to find out what's causing symptoms. Your State Lab or an independent lab can also test for various illnesses. Knowing what you are dealing with will help you give the correct treatment(s).
 

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