Slightly Crusty Eye -- Help?

[rubyedmonds]

Hi,
I am a new member on BYC, and I need some help.

I recently got 10 [baby] chicks from my local Southern States. When we got them they were all about two days old - and totally healthy. My family and I brought them home and put them into a well-conditioned home (Space, pine shavings, chick starter feed which is medicated, clean and chlorinated water with electrolytes, and an infrared heat lamp). We've had them for almost two weeks now, and we are about to move them into a larger home (they are getting bigger, and are able to fly out of the cage they are in now).

I've recently noticed that one of the chicks has some minor eye issues. Around one of her eyes, it is slightly dry looking and crusty-ish. Her eye is not glued shut whatsoever, nor does it have pus, wateriness or redness. As a matter of fact, I don't think her actual eye is the problem, I think that the part around her eye is slightly dry (I'm not so sure how to describe it.) She seems to be able to see fine, I am just not sure if it is a problem that I should attend to. I have Google searched this multiple times, and I am not finding anything that really corresponds with what I'm looking for.

Thank you so much for any advice/help/clarification.

PS - I am not sure what breed it is (they did tell us all the breed names, we got four different types of breeds, but I've forgotten).

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Hi,
I am a new member on BYC, and I need some help.

I recently got 10 [baby] chicks from my local Southern States. When we got them they were all about two days old - and totally healthy. My family and I brought them home and put them into a well-conditioned home (Space, pine shavings, chick starter feed which is medicated, clean and chlorinated water with electrolytes, and an infrared heat lamp). We've had them for almost two weeks now, and we are about to move them into a larger home (they are getting bigger, and are able to fly out of the cage they are in now).

I've recently noticed that one of the chicks has some minor eye issues. Around one of her eyes, it is slightly dry looking and crusty-ish. Her eye is not glued shut whatsoever, nor does it have pus, wateriness or redness. As a matter of fact, I don't think her actual eye is the problem, I think that the part around her eye is slightly dry (I'm not so sure how to describe it.) She seems to be able to see fine, I am just not sure if it is a problem that I should attend to. I have Google searched this multiple times, and I am not finding anything that really corresponds with what I'm looking for.

Thank you so much for any advice/help/clarification.

PS - I am not sure what breed it is (they did tell us all the breed names, we got four different types of breeds, but I've forgotten).

Hi

Welcome To BYC

Can you post some photos of the eyes?

If it looks crusty, then you can flush with saline and gently wipe it to see if it will come off. Watch to see if it returns. Crusty eye could be from anything - dried food, dirt, discharge, parasites (mites/lice), respiratory illness, etc.

 

[azygous]

In addition to WR's good advice, you may also run a dab of Neosporin or other antibiotic ointment (without pain reliever) around the eye or even in the eye for good measure.

 

[rubyedmonds]

Thank you for your input. I will attach some pictures shortly.

 

[rubyedmonds]

I feel like her eye is a little bit more different than the others's. I assume that it's possible that some of the other chicks were pecking around her eye, as I've seen that happen before.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

It looks like she may have a small peck wound on the eye(?) Flush with saline and as @azygous mentioned you can apply some plain Neosporin around the outer portion of the eye. If you have Vetericyn eye gel or Terramycin eye ointment you can use those too.

 

[azygous]

Your more serious problem is a possible eyeball pecker in the brooder. Chicks are attracted to bright shiny objects. I like to scatter marbles around the brooder and stick shiny duct tape on the walls to draw their attention away from eyeballs.

If you find you have an aggressive chick after observing them, you can often stop the behavior with a gentle poke on the back of the chick with your finger each time you see it misbehave.

This behavior usually is gone after the first week.

 

[rubyedmonds]

Thank you so much for your advice, I will certainly use it.

 

[rubyedmonds]

Thank you! I will do that.

 

[GretaGarboFirst]

Hi There,
Your picture was a big help. I had a chick with a similar issue. The Neosporin ( without pain killer ) was the answer for my little
chick. It cleared up very quickly. Good luck with all 10 little girls!