What should I use to wash out his eye?

[new 2 pfowl]

Greetings peapeople,
Boy, I really hate pea problems.
Especially since the gang is free range, not very tame, never handled, and extremely difficult to catch.
It just adds to everyone's stress and distress.

But...
One of the guys has some problem with his eye.
It looks like he might have something stuck in his upper eyelid, like a pine needle or a splinter.
I am going to try to catch him and get it out (good luck with the catching part...)
I wonder what I should use to wash out his eye afterwards?
From my search here, it looks like the answer might be "just water," but I wanted to check.

By the way, if you have any advice about the "catching" part I'd appreciate that as well.
I've never done it before...

Thanks in advance for your advice!

 

[Kedreeva]

"Just water" is probably fine. However, if you can get your paws on some, an eyewash solution (or saline solution) is better. Something like this eye wash liquid for animals would be great.

As for the catching, if he is free range you may be able to herd him SLOWLY into someplace that is covered, like a barn, shed, garage, or flight pen. Once he is in an enclosed space it is easier to catch them. A poultry net can be used if you have one, a towel or blanket if you don't. If you're fast you can catch them by hand (we do, but it's sometimes difficult and we have to get them into a really small space) but the other ways are probably easier.

 

[new 2 pfowl]

Thanks, Kedreeva.
I do have some saline solution for humans but wasn't sure if a bird version would be different.
The last thing I want to do is to give him some other problem!

OK, herding...slowly...(sigh)

 

[Kedreeva]

OK, herding...slowly...(sigh)

Best of luck! Arms in, soft voice, stop if he starts to crouch or look panicked. Mine all prefer to walk away if they can, rather than fly, if I give them a moment to figure it out.

 

[new 2 pfowl]

Thank you so much for the advice and moral support!

So, I do think that I can gently herd him.
He has started to trust me now that he has found out I'm a mealworm dispenser.
The part that I am worried about pulling off is the sudden gesture required to get the towel over him.

By the way, here he is. Mr. Skittles.
If you think his train looks a bit scanty...it does.
He had some late night encounter with an unknown predator that pulled out 2/3 of his lovely feathers.
It's very sad when he shows it off.

 

[Kedreeva]

We usually get them into a corner before we make the lunge. They will try to go up when I lunge, so I stay prepared to change directions and make a grab for "up". I don't (and have never) used a towel or net before (but mine let me pretty much walk right up to them), so I usually end up grabbing the bases of their wings and pressing my palms or forearms over their backs to hold them to the ground momentarily. I don't know how to explain the turn and tuck I used to get their wings under my arm so they can't struggle... but a towel over the top of them should prevent most flapping and struggling. If you start by throwing the towel "up" and letting it come down as they go up the wall, it should entangle him long enough for you to grab him. Whatever you do, be brave and move decisively, grab firmly or he may hurt himself struggling to get away. Watch the feet, they kick, and watch the wings because getting winged in the face isn't fun. He will be stronger than you expect him to be.

 

[new 2 pfowl]

You are a lifesaver, Kedreeva.

Your description of essentially pinning the wings against the body makes perfect sense.
Do you also hold onto the legs? Or just stay out of their way?

Sorry to ask so many questions but I'm nervous.
I think one reason that this makes me nervous is that this guy's brother that arrived with him (these are rescue peas) seems to have been manhandled by someone and he now has some kind of leg/hip problem.

*Just had to edit, because when I saw Mr. S this morning, I didn't see the thing poking out of his eyelid.
Hopefully it fell out or he rubbed it off...I will watch him closely.
Off the hook for "catching" for the moment...

 

[Kedreeva]

Grabbing by the legs can be really troublesome, not the least of which reasons are because of their spurs. I personally secure their legs once I have their wings pinned to their body and they are tucked under my arm so that they cannot kick me. However, you have to be really careful where on their legs you are holding. The backward bend in their leg (what would be our knee), is actually their ankle joint and if you grab them under that they can break their own legs struggling against you, or slip tendons, or otherwise do harm to their legs (or you!).

When I secure their legs, I grab both legs in 1 hand just above the ankle bone, with my index finger between their legs. This leaves my thumb and index finger around one leg and my other three fingers holding the other leg firmly to my fist. It also puts the heel of my palm against their ankle joint so that if they kick the top of their feet just hit my forearm flat. I've never been spurred this way.

I am glad to hear Mr. S. is looking better