what the HECK is this?

[WildBillHicks]

one of my hens developed this hideous eye thing. it looks like bubbles. it's only one eye. it has rained a lot for 3 days. not sure if that means anything. i also thought i saw her breathing with her mouth open. please advise.

 

[featherz]

It's quite likely to be CRD/MG if there's no bad smell around the face when you consider both the eye bubbles and the open mouth breathing. (bad smell would mean Coryza).

You need to separate her from the others asap. Most here would advise culling IF that's what it is, but you can choose to treat with antibiotics (Tylan or Denagard) as well - just know that she will be a carrier even if she gets better.

In either case, separate that chicken out asap. Any others appear ill?

 

[WildBillHicks]

ok i looked up CRD. not good. i think i will just put her down. it's a shame. she was my first chicken and she lays green eggs but it's a $7 chicken. i don't want to spend too much money and i really don't have the provisions to isolate her. oh well. next time i go to the feed store im looking for some of that Tylan you mentioned or something like it. I need to have something like that on hand.

 

[WildBillHicks]

her eye cleared up quite a bit. i was surprised but you can see in this video i took that her breathing is labored.

look at her neck, it shows her breathing is labored. the other hens don't do this.

you can also see her mouth open once in a while and she keeps closing that bad eye.

since her eye got a little bit better i'm going to wait until tomorrow to see how she is.

 

[dawg53]

I agree that it's the onset of a respiratory disease and they are contageous. You're going to be in it for the long haul to treat your birds if it spreads. Culling her is your other option and hopefully not too late before it spreads to your other birds. I highly recommend that you santize all waterers and feeders.

 

[WildBillHicks]

I went ahead and put her down and cleaned up with some soap and clorox. I didn't want to take a chance. Her breathing was the real give away to me. You can see it in that video I posted. Anyway, first chicken I ever had so it's a sad day.

Sorry, I had the video set to private. If you tried to look at it but couldn't you should be able to see it now.

Please watch the video and tell me what you think of her breathing. Watch how her neck sucks in and she ocassionaly gasps. Thanks

 

[mama dixie]

what causes this? I am having the same problum and I have seperated the bird but it looks like we may need to cull. we had this happen like a year ago as well. all was going fine now this again. what is causing it? it seems odd to me that we have been doing well and now we have it again. are they getting it someplace on the property or what...man makes me sick to think I have to kill the bird. her whole eye is swollen at the socket if you look down from the top it is like one side the right eye is bulging but the eye looks ok... how can I protect my other birds should I give them some antibiotic to be safe? if any one can help please do I want to protect my other girls and boy..

 

[CorinneP]

I am sorry for your Loss I know that had to be hard : (

 

[featherz]

what causes this? I am having the same problum and I have seperated the bird but it looks like we may need to cull. we had this happen like a year ago as well. all was going fine now this again. what is causing it? it seems odd to me that we have been doing well and now we have it again. are they getting it someplace on the property or what...man makes me sick to think I have to kill the bird. her whole eye is swollen at the socket if you look down from the top it is like one side the right eye is bulging but the eye looks ok... how can I protect my other birds should I give them some antibiotic to be safe? if any one can help please do I want to protect my other girls and boy..

There are other things that can cause swollen eyes, chickens can get eye infections/pecks/injuries as well. However, adding gaspy breathing, bubbles in the eyes, sneezing, etc - that usually points to a respiratory infection. They CAN recover, however they will always be carriers and the disease will pop up again if the birds are stressed in some way (weather, new chickens, handling, new dog, whatever). Wild birds can have it, chickens and eggs you bring home can have it, you can even track it around on your shoes. =(

You CAN treat for this, just know that you can't sell or rehome any birds and any new birds you bring in will get it too. So if you don't cull and decide to treat, you have to have a closed flock.

 

[featherz]

I am sorry for your Loss I know that had to be hard : (

X2. I hate putting down my birds, even when I know it's best. =(