Swollen weepy eyed Welsummer hen

[Katje]

As of yesterday, we took in our fourth hen - a Welsummer.

She was clearly picked on tremendously in her last place and the conditions were not exactly what I would wish on any chicken.

For now - we have her in pseudo quarantine from our other girls. I'd like to do a general worming and dusting - give her some time to grow her pecked out feathers back - let her trust us and build some confidence (even within a day - she is much better than she was for the woman who previously owned her - she was terrified there and hiding hard - tonight she tried coming into our house to roost!) But one of my other concerns is her eye. It looks like conjunctivitis - swollen - weepy - uncomfortable - seems as if a third eyelid is showing (if they have that the way we do).

Anything specific to look out for or try? I'm consulting my chicken health handbook - and will take her to the vet if it seems warranted. This photo is not the best for showing what's going on - and the other eye is worse - but it gives an idea.
Clearly she is not clear and bright eyed.

The woman also said she wasn't laying well - but the woman was pretty all over the place. I'm sure she is stressed - so we'll spoil her with good grain and treats - but additional tips are welcome!

 

[Katje]

And now I've gone and made myself paranoid that this may be mycoplasma. Ah! Anyone out there with more experience on that?

Should I be moving her away from our property - ASAP?!

 

[TeamChaos]

I don't see swelling and I don't see the tell tale bubbles of MG. It's good to have her separated. If she'll let you, wipe her face and comb well with a warm washcloth and let her rest for a while. My welsummers' eyes are not round either, never have been- they match the shape of your lady's. Does she rattle, gasp or wheeze?

 

[Katje]

No rattling or gasping or wheezing. And I'm definitely going to let her rest and get a little stronger and more confident before considering putting her with the other hens. How much quarantine would you recommend? Is is okay if the other hens are wandering around the yard and she is separated by a coop? Or should I have her far away?

Is there anything else I should look for - with her eye and swelling?

 

[Katje]

Ugh. Looks like it's definitely mycoplasma.

Help? I'm more than happy to take my other three hens to the vet- to get them checked. And I'm keeping this hen separate - though she is still in the same yard as the other three (but won't be letting her out of her coop/run now that the bubbles have appeared). Seeing lots of different info on this. Does anyone have suggestions or links I should check out? Lots of conflicting information - wondering what the heck my next step should be to keep my other hens safe and to keep her from suffering.

I'm beyond angry at the woman I got her from - for reasons I won't get into - other than being livid over the fact that the woman does not better but is selling off all of her chickens via craigslist such that they'll go on to endanger other flocks. And I did actually talk to her about health and the swollen eye before taking the hen... should have gone with my gut instinct.

 

[Katje]

Also - no gasping/rattling/wheezing that I could her (though I didn't take my scope to her) - but she has definitely been lethargic and uninterested in any interaction... arggggggggh!

 

[TeamChaos]

Oh bummer! I'm not sure where the lady you got her from originally acquired her, but it's possible that she was unaware of the bird's infection- it may have been asymptomatic up until a stressor (the move) triggered it to flare. There are several schools of thought on how/if one should treat MG- I, personally, have had a few birds in my flock and I have chosen to keep them. I separate them, use vetericyn eye wash and antibiotics in their water. Best of luck!

 

[Chambertin]

I'll have to watch this one.
BYC always seems to have the best information on what to do, its just a matter of how long it takes a semi-pro to post about it.
.. Or how long it takes the original poster to become a semi-pro.

Good luck
Sometimes good care, some antibiotics, a good wash, and great food can cure about anything.

PS: If you dont already know: check the antibiotic, some wont affect certian bacteria. That's why I like the Enrofloxacin series, attacks the DNA replication instead of just the cell wall, which I dont think MC have. However I'm not sure how readily avilable it is in the US. I think its banned for water treatment as it was being overused and making some superbugs...

Again, Good luck!!!

 

[Katje]

After lots of research and cooling down, I sent a very nice email to the woman - recommending she check her flock (she has been selling it off) - and with some information on the disease - so that she can be sure the rest are not compromised and sell accordingly (either to already positive flocks or for meat - whatever). And I received the nastiest attack imaginable - of the sort that leads me to believe this is not the first time she has been contacted with concerns.

Absolutely horrid. And she made it quite clear that she will not be communicating to future buyers that her hens may be MG positive. How sad. Is there anything I can do to post a warning somehow? I really don't care to tarnish her name - but I sure as heck don't want other buyers coming home with sick hens and infecting their flocks. Or is it just useless? Was really hoping that by contacting her directly and professionally - she'd respond accordingly with the animal's welfare in mind. Alas, it seems that is not to be. Argh.

 

[TeamChaos]

Oh man, Katje- you went about it right and that's all you can do. Maybe she'll take a good look at her flock after reading your email and be in for a BIG surprise when/ if she sees symptoms. I'm not sure how you connected w/ the lady in the first place, so I'm not sure how you'd post a warning without getting into more hot water, so to speak. I think your story is exactly why the quarantine rule is stressed- no matter how clean the farm looks or how nice the chickens are, you have to allow ample time for stress-related illnesses to surface after a move.

How is your girl today?