How Quickly Does Albendazole Work?

[Siobhan O]

Hi,

 

I have kept chickens now for a number of years, I currently have 9 in total. The latest additions are 2 very cute peacock bantam silkies. They were 1 yr old, and laying when they came to live with us, approximately 6 weeks ago. However, 1 of the girls soon after arriving had one eye shut. We've cleaned it occasionally but as they're still quite dubious of us, we're trying not to freak her out too much. Yesterday when cleaning out their pen (the silkies have been kept separate for a short while) both eyes were closed. We wiped them and now they're open, but there's no discharge or swelling so assume it's not an infection, plus the other silkie seems fine. They have only ever laid 4 eggs in the first week and nothing since.

 

Anyone shed any knowledge or expertise on this?

 

Thanks

[Beantree]

Sounds like it might be a developing neurological problem Siobhan. I recall reading that Silkies were prone to Mareks and that some breeders vaccinated against it. You will need to have a blood sample taken for testing I think, so a trip to a good vet would be the next stage. There are other possibilities of course and it may simply be a dust allergy perhaps or some chemical induced eye irritation?