Vision Issues - HELP!

[Chickaletta69]

Hi - I have a mixed flock that has 6 approximately 3 year old 'hyline crosses' (these were ex commercial laying hens I got at 1.5 years old).

On separate occasions within the past 6 months two of the girls have previously shown signs of slowing down or illness (lethargy, lack of appetite, separated themselves etc) but I took each inside and gave them a bath / extra food and they perked up.

Last week I returned home from holidays and one of my girls appeared sick - separating herself, lethargy, her comb went floppy. I isolated her and hand feed her for a week, she did not improve so we culled her. Over a few days I realised she couldn't see - her pupils would dilate but she appeared to not be able to see anything. No visible injuries and eyes looked normal.

I have just gone out to my flock and the second girl is showing similar signs of illness. Her pupils will dilate and she can still see more than the previous girl but she is not feeling great.

All my other chickens seem ok. They free range and are fed layer crumble / lots of scraps and greens.

What could be going on? Is this just two aging hens or something else. I am worried about my younger birds.

Also mareks - I am assuming that these girls were vaccinated being commercial layers. My younger chickens are not as I live very remote with no vet services within 500km.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Hi - I have a mixed flock that has 6 approximately 3 year old 'hyline crosses' (these were ex commercial laying hens I got at 1.5 years old).

On separate occasions within the past 6 months two of the girls have previously shown signs of slowing down or illness (lethargy, lack of appetite, separated themselves etc) but I took each inside and gave them a bath / extra food and they perked up.

Last week I returned home from holidays and one of my girls appeared sick - separating herself, lethargy, her comb went floppy. I isolated her and hand feed her for a week, she did not improve so we culled her. Over a few days I realised she couldn't see - her pupils would dilate but she appeared to not be able to see anything. No visible injuries and eyes looked normal.

I have just gone out to my flock and the second girl is showing similar signs of illness. Her pupils will dilate and she can still see more than the previous girl but she is not feeling great.

All my other chickens seem ok. They free range and are fed layer crumble / lots of scraps and greens.

What could be going on? Is this just two aging hens or something else. I am worried about my younger birds.

Also mareks - I am assuming that these girls were vaccinated being commercial layers. My younger chickens are not as I live very remote with no vet services within 500km.

Welcome To BYC

I'm sorry for your losses.

Can you get photos of the current hen and her eyes?

Does she still lay eggs? Any issues with production?

Where are you located in the world?

With Ex Battery hens, often declines are due to reproductive disorders which are common in laying hen (in general). Cancer, Salpingitis, EYP, etc.

Chickens can suffer from eye issues like Cataracts and other conditions. Ocular Marek's is a possibility even if birds are vaccinated. The Vaccine can help stop the formation of tumors but does not stop infection from the virus.

Sometimes the best we can do is offer supportive care and see if there's improvement.