Something wrong with chicken’s eye

[Willow2253]

This morning I noticed my brahma cockerel was squinting in his right eye and wouldn’t open it all the way. He’s now been that way all day. He’s still eating fine, but he’s not running around as much, I assume because he’s only seeing out of one eye. He’s letting me touch the right side of his face, and the eye focuses when I opened the lid for him and is clear. Nothing looks swollen or irritated to me either. He’s just not opening the eye all the way on his own. I looked him over and he doesn’t appear to have any other symptoms of anything. Any ideas what could be going on? Any help is appreciated.

 

[CluckerFamily]

Have you tried washing it out with saline eye drops? There may be some dirt in the eye.

 

[Willow2253]

Have you tried washing it out with saline eye drops? There may be some dirt in the eye.

I thought about it, but I wasn’t sure if what I have on hand is safe for chickens. I’ll look up the ingredients and find out.

 

[Willow2253]

Well I couldn’t find any definitive answers on the eye drops I have so I’m just going to make a saline solution and try that. He did kick some chicken poop in my eye last night so I wouldn’t be surprised if he got some himself.

 

[Eggcessive]

I would use some plain antibiotic ointment in the eye twice a day. Watch for signs of a respiratory infection, which may include eye bubbles, facial swelling, sneezing, or gasping. Hopefully it is just some irritation, dirt, or a peck around the eye.

 

[HappyDuckie]

Watch for signs of a respiratory infection, which may include eye bubbles, facial swelling, sneezing, or gasping.

Sorry to hijack the thread... but mine have been having all these symptoms, along with nasal discharge. Its MG, correct? When looking it up, all the symptoms seemed to match.

 

[Willow2253]

I would use some plain antibiotic ointment in the eye twice a day. Watch for signs of a respiratory infection, which may include eye bubbles, facial swelling, sneezing, or gasping. Hopefully it is just some irritation, dirt, or a peck around the eye.

So like a triple antibiotic? And IN they eye, or around it?

 

[Eggcessive]

You can use a small amount of either Terramycin eye ointment or vetericyn eye gel from a feed store, or plain Neosporin or Triple Antibiotic Ointment in the eye.

 

[Eggcessive]

Sorry to hijack the thread... but mine have been having all these symptoms, along with nasal discharge. Its MG, correct? When looking it up, all the symptoms seemed to match.

It could be MG. You can start a new thread of your own, and post any pictures. Here is some reading:
https://extension.umd.edu/sites/ext... Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) Infecti....pdf

 

[HappyDuckie]

It could be MG. You can start a new thread of your own, and post any pictures. Here is some reading:
https://extension.umd.edu/sites/extension.umd.edu/files/_docs/programs/poultry/FS-1008 Recognizing and Preventing Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) Infecti....pdf

I don't have any pictures, and its dark now. I may take some tomorrow. I'm getting antibiotics later tonight to give them. Thanks.