Squinting hen?

[Year of the Rooster]

Quote:

Thanks purpletree!

 

[shandiane78]

She seems the same today, no worse at least. I've been doing some reading, and I wonder if this isn't due to some kind of mold or fungus. Maybe they got sick by inhaling the spores?

The chicken coop is on the north side of our house, plus surrounded by trees. The area is very shady. I even found a mushroom growing in front of it, plus yesterday when I was cleaning out the coop and mixing up the litter I saw a poop that had landed on a roosting branch and it was moldy. I'm definitely going to get some DE to try and dry the place out more. Is there any kind of fungicide or mildewcide that is safe to use around chickens?

I'm prepared to use antibiotics if needed, but I'm concerned because if the cause is a fungus or mold, then antibiotics could actually make things worse, no?

Thanks,
Shannon

 

[Year of the Rooster]

Make sure there is enough ventilation too. It may be too humid in the coop.

 

[shandiane78]

It's definitely a respiratory infection. Other hens are starting to sneeze. One has a noisy squeaky sneeze. I looked at two farm supply stores today for the Tylan, but they didn't have it. Also been looking for Oxine in case it's fungal. Nobody had that either. I can get both online, but can I spare the time?! Should I go with whatever antibiotic is in stock at the farm supply?

Thanks,
Shannon

 

[purpletree23]

I really like the Tylan. Call around more. Some other feed srtore might carry it or if you have a vet for other animals he/she might be able to help.

Wouldn't get the Oxine. Save your money. For this you don't need it. A good cleaning of the coop and sweeping it out including the walls would be fine. Leave all the windows and door open so it can air out and mother nature can do her work. They probably have irritated respiratory systems because of the mold spores and that's what caused the infection. Chickens have VERY sensitive respiratory systems. Make sure you put down fresh bedding and as long as you are cleaning the coop put Sevin dust on the floor to take a proactive step toward killing and mites or other bugs that could potentially be a problem.

I get my Tylan soluble at firststatevetsupply.com I don't know if they have overnight shipping.

The coop and run needs sun. Can you remove some of the trees that are blocking the sun? The sun kills a lot of germs.

When cleaning the coop make sure you protect yourself and cover your mouth and nose even if you have to tie an old piece of tee shirt over them.

If you can't find the Tylan let me know and I can send you some of mine overnight mail to get you through for a few days.

 

[Judy]

An eye injury is certainly a possibility, and not uncommon. You can get a tube of ophthalmic ointment from the feed store and put some in the eye (or both eyes, just in case) for a few days, in case she has a scratched cornea. Won't do any harm, and not as drastic an approach as Tylan. She could be closing her eyes because she is more comfortable with them closed.

 

[shandiane78]

Thanks again. I called around again, and couldn't find Tylan, so I picked up Duramycin - 10 and have that mixed in their water right now. Six of my hens are eating and drinking great, but one is too sick. She won't eat or drink or do much of anything (though she did put up quite a fight when I tried to catch her). What can I do for her? I held her a while and put the treated water into her beak with dropper. I think she got some down. But I haven't seen her eat or drink anything today. She is gurgling/rattling. Very congested. :-( Can I/should I force her to eat or drink? She pooped a few minutes ago and it was mostly white with just a little normal poop under it. It was also pretty small.

Thanks,
Shannon

 

[shandiane78]

Just an update - Earlier today I made kind of a gruel with the antibiotic water + Nutrena starter/grower and whirred it up in the food processor. I held Margaret on my lap and found that she would drink it if I put her beak in it. So I sat like that for about an hour, occasionally putting her beak in the gruel. When I finally let her up, she went right back to standing around and straining to breathe. BUT! Just about an hour ago I brought out some bread mixed with yogurt, antibiotic water and scrambled egg. She started to eat! After that she started pecking around and doing normal chicken things. I am SO relieved. I hope she continues to eat and improve.

Georgia (the one with the closed eye) seems to be doing about the same as yesterday. I did see her eye bubbling earlier today.

I'll keep on with the antibiotics and order some Tylan in the mean time.

Thanks purpletree, for all your advice and support! I'm an extremely new chicken owner (had them about a month), and I sure didn't see this coming.

Shannon

 

[Laurieks]

I just found Tylan 100gm at Amazon.com for 39$. It looks exactly the same but the reviews are from people giving it to dogs for IBS. Its $48+ everywhere else. I have a feeling it doesn't keep for as long as it will take for me to use it up.
Jeffers says the injectable they have ($8) is not labeled for chickens. Which one do you use?
I have a hen with a puffy eye I believe is from trauma, which I've been treating with erythromycin ophthalmic ointment, and last night noticed 2 teenaged chicks with one eye closed, not puffy, no respiratory issues. So I want to be prepared. The chicks were pecked by the rogue hen who invaded on Sunday (and is now banished); I think I prefer trauma over disease.
I wish that NPIP packet would get here already :taps foot

 

[CallyB57]

One of my LBrahmas did the same thing - wanted to squat and sleep all day, like she could not hold her eyes open. I put some vitamins/electrolytes in her drinking water and an antibiotic - can't remember the name, but instructions said to give her access to the drinking water with the antibiotic for 24 hours. So, I did, and she got completely well, quickly. Then I gave her some plain yogurt mixed with pureed fresh apples in some cooked oatmeal 3 times in a wk. No problems since, and that was a couple of months ago.