Hen keeping eyes closed but no swelling or respiratory symptoms.

[Eglanterina]

Help! My hen is able to open her eyes but is spending most of her time with them closed. She’s a new mom, having hatched chicks a week ago. During her brood, I observed her keeping her eyes closed but assumed she was sleepy and preserving energy. Now that she’s off the nest with her chicks, I’m concerned that this continues. She’s performing all her motherly duties but with just one eye open at times and she is somewhat lethargic. Her eyes don’t seem swollen to me, there are no noticeable injuries or signs of illness other than being in poor condition from brooding chicks. Note that my flock does carry Marek’s. Any thoughts?

 

[AGstudy]

Her eye does look puffy to me. How is her eating and drinking? Does she sneeze at all?

 

[Eglanterina]

She is eating and drinking but no, not sneezing, no raspy breathing and no nasal discharge. I have seen mycoplasma symptoms in my flock before and so I did start her on Tylan yesterday, as a precaution.

 

[AGstudy]

Yeah, mycoplasma was my thought.

Did she loose much weight when laying on the eggs? You could try giving her more high protein foods and some probiotics, just to give her an extra boost.

 

[Eglanterina]

Yeah, mycoplasma was my thought.

Did she loose much weight when laying on the eggs? You could try giving her more high protein foods and some probiotics, just to give her an extra boost.

Yes, she’s in very poor condition after brooding. Yes, I think you’re right, supplemental feeding is a great approach. Thanks!