[Asaunders]

over the last couple of days i have noticed each day one of my hens will come out of the pen last in a morning and there eyes are completely closed it almost looks as if there eyes arent there and they are always mouthed opened and are kind of gasping for air, i first noticed this on sunday when one of my young welshsummers were doing this now i have lost her i carnt find her anywhere is she dead? now one of my marans is doing the same and ive just checked and shes just sitting there no eyes and opened mouthed again and i can get right up next to her and shes still sitting there???

[LittleRedHen]

It sounds like you have something contagious going on there.  Are you able to take your hen to a vet?  I don't know what is wrong but it sure seems serious.

[Asaunders]

i can but im more worried about my other hens?? do i need to get rid of them asap before they get it.

[Sue33]

it would be a good idea to separate the poorly girls from the others if you can just in case it's something contagious

[grumpydad]

sounds like they need to be isolated, the coop cleaned with something like vikron which will kill any bacterial diseases to start with.
medical treatment to try to find out the cause and medication for all the chucks.
someone will be along soon who may be able to help diagnose the problem.

martyn

[poultrygeist]

When you say you can't get next to your hen, do mean she's somewhere you can't get to ?

And you've lost one completely ?   Could you search a wider area to find her in case she's still alive and suffering somewhere.

It sounds like you need to urgently get to a vet and find out what's wrong with them. If they're gasping for air, it could be gape worm which can be solved by Flubenvet wormer but I'm sure there are other things it could be.

Rob

[Vember]

Sounds to me like a nasty repository infection

You really need to get ALL your girls onto some antibiotics asap!

The girl you can walk up to, I suggest you bath her eyes with some warm water to try and get them open and take her to the vets ASAP


Could the one you cannot find not see either   Did you not think it may be an idea to clean the eyes on Sunday when you noticed it


Sarah

[Asaunders]

I have just found the maran dead   but still no sign of the welshsummer.

[Vember]

Why didn't you clean their eyes if they couldn't see   
The welsummer may be stuck outside not knowing which way to go 

[nzdunn]

arh no wot an awlful situation for you i hope you find your other hen soon rather than later, keep searching          nickyx

[joyfull]

So sorry to hear this but get the others to a vet tomorrow and get looking for your welsummer she may be lost and petrified 

[lucylou]

Sorry to hear your sad news. I hope you manage to isolate the others and find your wellsummer. I had one of mine go down hill in a similar way & had to have her put down - but my other hen who she had been living with never got ill - so hope for the best, Lucylou

[archiesgems]

How long have the birds been showing the symptoms?

[ehs284]

...and be very careful with your own hygiene, especially hands. It's amazing how often you put your hands to your face. If it is an organism then it will be on surfaces as well as on the birds. Wearing disposable gloves and washing hands could prevent a trip to the doctors with a serious eye infection.
Best of luck with finding the missing bird and getting the others through this.

[Vember]

Asaunders first noticed the unwell hen Sunday, Archie