Silkies with what appears to be Cataracts

[Emery03]

Hey, I am new to owning chickens, but I have been passionate about chickens for a long time, as I truly love the bird deeply. I am really worried about my 2, 10 week old silkies hens.

When I first got them, one seemed to have a very dull cloudy spot in her left eye. As time went on I noticed that the spot got larger and more cloudy. I was not sure as to whether this was some kind of infection or a cataract caused by Marek's Disease "god I hope that's not the case".
I figured since it was only in one eye and it didn't seem to be accompanied by any other symptoms, it was superficial. Maybe just a pre existing eye injury that was healing..

Then today after looking at her eye, I decided to pick up my other silkie, and noticed the same thing. A cloudy white spot on her left eye. It was dull, but it looked exactly like the other silkies eye did. I am terrified that my sweet little fluffs are sick with something serious like Mareks. Please any information or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Do some research on the ocular form of Marek's.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/mareks-disease-fact-site.63752/

 

[Emery03]

Thank you for your reply, I’ll read up on Ocular Mareks.

 

[Eggcessive]

There can be several different eye disorders in chickens. One comes from high ammonia levels in a coop which can burn the eyes causing ulceration. Pecking can cause injuries and infections. Cataracts can be common and may appear opaque or cloudy. Vitamin A or E deficiency may also cause problems in eyes. A disease early in life called avian encephalomyelitis or epeidemic tremors can also cause eye disorders. Mareks can cause a greying of the cornea and may also cause an irregular shaped cornea which causes the pupil to look irregular-shaped instead of round.

 

[Emery03]

This almost looks like it’s it a scar on the outside. But they both have it on the same eye. I am starting to move away from the thought that it is Marek’s because their corneas look totally normal. I will give them a boost in Vitamin E and A to see if that helps. Thank you for your reply!

 

[Eggcessive]

I had a Polish hen who was pecked in the eye. She had a blind eye that was scarred afterward. So many possibilities with chickens.