Egmeralda Posted February 7, 2010 Share Posted February 7, 2010 We are completely new to keeping chickens and would be grateful of some advice with a poorly chook! One of our chickens, Shadow, has a swollen eye (which she is unable to open). On examination, there does not appear to be any smell, discharge or crusting around the eye, but after bathing the eyelids with warm water this morning, her eye opened and appeared partly cloudy. For the rest of the day she has preferred to keep her eye shut, suggesting it is sore and she has been wiping her eye against herself and scratching at it as though it is irritating her. Her ear, on the same side as the affected eye, also appears swollen. These symptoms don't appear to fit any of the common chicken ailments we've found on the internet or in books we've bought to learn more. Shadow is 18 weeks old and has only been with us for one week. She initially was quite lethargic but seemed to pick up within a couple of days, but she spends a lot of time with her eyes closed. While not as adventurous or inquisitive as the other chickens, she has bonded well with them and follows them around, and she eats and drinks when they do. Does anyone have any suggestions as to what this could be? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted February 7, 2010 Share Posted February 7, 2010 I would bathe her eye with cold tea as it is soothing and a bit antiseptic, and given that there is swelling,and that you are new to chicken keeping, I'd take her to the vet as soon as you can get an appointment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daphne Posted February 7, 2010 Share Posted February 7, 2010 I would say this could be an ear/eye/respiratory infection which has spread to her related bits. I would advise you to take her to the vet because this will only clear properly with antibiotics/vet prescribed meds - likely to be ear/eye 'drops'. Sometimes you can home treat ear problems (bit unorthodox) but as your girl has both ear and eye with a problem this isn't an option. I'd do it asap. I have to say also that she may have come to you with this problem, which doesn't sound to me particularly like its stress related (some chicken illnesses' are definitely brought on by stressors, one of which is moving) so you may wish to inform the breeder, depending on what your vet says. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egmeralda Posted February 7, 2010 Author Share Posted February 7, 2010 Thank you so much Egluntyne and Daphne for such speedy replies. Poor little Shadow - will get help for her asap. Thank you again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egmeralda Posted February 8, 2010 Author Share Posted February 8, 2010 Just wanted to give some feedback, after taking poorly girl to vet this afternoon. The vet is concerned about Shadow's listless manner, found that her breathing is laboured and she is quite thin, despite having a full crop (she is eating and drinking thankfully). I’m told that she is a very poorly chicken and Mycoplasmosis is suspected (although without tests is unconfirmed). As for the swollen eye, there is some oedema of the retina, (and I understand that conjunctivitis can accompany Mycoplasmosis). So little chook’s eye was bathed and needs to be rinsed to flush out any grit or foreign matter and she is on a course of antibiotics. I’ve been warned not to get too hopeful . . . however, to see her when she was returned to her companions - perky and rambling about with them - you wouldn’t have known she was poorly at all! I guess, as with people, that keeping a strong immune system will help her win her fight. I have read that adding apple cider vinegar to the drinking water once a week helps to boost the immune system of chickens. But, the quantities in each article vary from a quarter of a teaspoon in a days water supply to two tablespoons. Can anyone help confirm the correct dosing of a 1L drinker? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted February 8, 2010 Share Posted February 8, 2010 A teaspoon should do it I am amazed that if Myco is suspected the vet didnt tell you to keep your girl isolated though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted February 8, 2010 Share Posted February 8, 2010 I agree, it sounds like Myco and I would keep her seperate. I hope she pulls through for you. Perhaps the breeder should take her back and refund you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted February 9, 2010 Share Posted February 9, 2010 Am not surprised to hear that it is myco. I agree about the separation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daphne Posted February 9, 2010 Share Posted February 9, 2010 If she does have myco I would have to echo Redwing/Plum/Egluntyne's posts. Myco spreads via infected droplets from nose/eyes/throat after runny eyes/coughing/sneezing. I don't know whether oedema of the retina (had to look that up!) is anything to do with myco or a completely different problem. I think your vet has given you good advice in that she is a very ill bird; myco on its own can be bad enough, however, it also sounds like she perked up after the visit, so perhaps the discomfort from the eye was quite bad and with that being sorted she's feeling a bit better, plus the ABs of course. Keep her fluid intake up, syringe water in if necessary and/or give her wet food (eg add hot water to her mash or pellets, particularly good in this hot weather). This type of slop can also encourage an appetite as you've said she's thin - you can add corn or treats as well to get something into her. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egmeralda Posted February 9, 2010 Author Share Posted February 9, 2010 Thank you all for your advice. With the separation – sorry to be totally clueless - as we only have the one coop and run what would be best to make a safe temporary home for her or is she best to come in with us. Also, how quickly does Myco spread - will the other girls already be infected? They all snuggle together at night in one of the nesting boxes, share food and water so they’ve been in close contact since coming here. Perhaps the breeder should take her back and refund you. In all fairness to the breeder, he has offered to take her back . . . but, while to have a chicken who is so poorly from the outset, is kind of like being thrown into the deep end - I just feel a strong sense of commitment to her already. She has joined our family (with the other girls) as a pet and I want to learn how to look after them if they are poorly and as well as when they are healthy. Although my husband doesn’t totally agree (poor long suffering soul that he is!) Am I mad? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted February 9, 2010 Share Posted February 9, 2010 Myco can spread quite quickly, but usually only affects birds which have a compromised immune system - healthy birds can usually shake it off. I would quarantine her though, but keep her where she can see the others. Everything else you are doing is right though, just keep her warm and well fed. If she's not eating or drinking much, then add some Avipro to warm water and syringe that into her beak. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daphne Posted February 9, 2010 Share Posted February 9, 2010 Regarding a temporary home, have you got/can you borrow rabbit/guinea hutch or cat/dog cage/basket? In the day I'd put her near the rest but not within airborne droplet transmitting distance and at night during this very cold snap I'd bring her in if poss. Myco is very treatable and most recover, but it can kill especially if the bird is compromised in some other way as Claret says. I completely understand your instinct to perservere with her rather than return her; its completely your choice, do whatever feels right. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egmeralda Posted February 9, 2010 Author Share Posted February 9, 2010 Thank you all for your help . . . I'm so relieved to hear that most recover. Have managed to organise my thoughts away from all my fretting today and have been busy! I’ve arranged a separate run for during the day, made a couple of perches for it too. For the night Shadow now has a nice snug bed made out of a cardboard box, lined with a towel and some straw, which I’ve put in a quiet room in the house. With my husband as my glamorous assistant, we bathed her eye before settling her down for the night (she seemed to be going to sleep in my arms). Have also ordered some Nutri-Drops for Shadow and Citricidal to keep the other girls tip-top (hopefully they will stay happy and healthy). Done some reading about Myco too – which has made me a little confused – Shadow doesn’t have sneezing, coughing, runny nose or diarrhoea – will she escape these symptoms? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted February 9, 2010 Share Posted February 9, 2010 She may do, if you catch it at the eye stage she may not go on to develop the other symptoms Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted February 9, 2010 Share Posted February 9, 2010 It's a bit like when us hoomans get say flu or a cold - we all display different symptoms. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
