Chicken eye problem please help!

[colorfulchicks]

A few days ago we noticed that one of our babies had one of her eyes closed and would only open one. We checked her up and eventually after a few minutes she opened both of her eyes. She did have a little scar in her eye though. The next day we checked on her and she had the same eye closed again. This time it took her hours to open it. That was the last day we saw her having that eye closed. However, she still has that bruise/scar on her eye and she constantly tries to scratch it. Aside from that, she eats, drinks, walks, and play around normally. I was just wondering if anyone knows what’s wrong with my sweet baby. Could it possibly be an eye infection, mites, respiratory issues, or injured by another chicken? The vet visit in my area is very expensive and I was just wondering if you guys have any advice before I take her to the vet.

 

[Eggcessive]

It looks like she was pecked or scratched. I would put some saline or eye wash in her eye to lubricate it and then apply a small bit of either Terramycin eye ointment from your feed store, or some plain Neosporin or triple antibiotic ointment into and around the eye twice a day until it heals

 

[colorfulchicks]

It looks like she was pecked or scratched. I would put some saline or eye wash in her eye to lubricate it and then apply a small bit of either Terramycin eye ointment from your feed store, or some plain Neosporin or triple antibiotic ointment into and around the eye twice a day until it heals

Thank you so much for the reply. Does it matter what kind of saline or eye wash do I buy? Are the ones for human eye okay? Sorry this is my first time raising chickens

 

[Eggcessive]

I have used Bausch and Lomb Eye Relief Eye Wash which is around $4 at Walmart. Sterile saline can be made at home. 1/2 tsp salt to an 8 ounce cup (or a larger amount—2 tsp salt per quart or liter water) will make saline 0.09%. Bring it to a boil, reduce to simmer for 15 min and then cool it. Store in clean jar.