Single hen

[Smileyk]

Our chickens have had a pecking session today and I have two poorly ones - one is under control and the other I'm worried about.

 

First one has a bleeding comb, it looks like it's clotting a bit now and she seems ok

 

Second one has been pecked in the eye and it is closed and there is some blood around it. I tried to open it and could only see blood before she pulled away from me. She is very quiet and not at all herself.

 

What can I do? What should I do?

 

Help please!

[Egluntyne]

Bathe it gently and assess the situated. If the eyeball is damaged, she will need to see a vet as it might become infected.

[Smileyk]

I tried to bathe it but she wasn't happy about me doing it. Do I leave her and re-assess tomorrow or does this need more urgent attention?

 

Feel so useless!

[Plum]

Not had this problem but think I would wrap her in a towel and get someone else to hold her beak to keep her head steady and then gently rinse the eye. Good luck they don't like being touched. You won't be able to get help now but keep an eye out for swelling discharge and bleeding and just keep bathing it. I've read that cold tea is cleansing.

 

Hope she's ok.

[theherd123]

How does her eye look now? Is it still bleeding or weeping?

 

If it isnt and the other girls are leaving her well alone i would re-assess in the morning however if the others are trying to peck at her i would separate and bring her in for the night so you can keep a close eye on her.

 

If she is still reluctant to have it bathed tomorrow then i think a vets appointment is in order as like Egluntine mentioned if it becomes infected you may have difficulties on your hands.

 

I do hope she improves soon.

[Smileyk]

Thanks so much!

 

Well I have bathed it with warm water with a bit of salt in it. She wasn't particularly happy but I did it. The eye isn't bleeding anymore but she's very quiet. I just took some sweetcorn out and she ate that so she obviously isn't feeling too awful.

 

Will keep an eye on her and see how she goes.

[Smileyk]

Update:

Mathilda with the bleeding head

Bleeding finally stopped and is looking black today so I think she's going to be fine. I'll leave it now as I don't want to restart it bleeding. Need to clean the henhouse later as apparently there is blood everywhere (according to my youngest - which probably means there is a just a small amount!).

 

Nutter with the bleeding eye

Her eye stopped bleeding but she was very quiet. I bathed it and left her.

This morning it is swollen but she is opening it slightly. I can't quite see in to see what damage has been done but will try and have a look later when I bathe it again later. My optician is going to drop in some eye drops for her - yes you did read that correctly! He keeps chickens too and apparently humans use the same eye drops that the vet prescribes for chickens!

[Egluntyne]

That is right...the Chloramphenicol 'Infected Eye Drops' can be given to hens. Cheaper to get it from the supermarket than the vets's.