REALLY GROSS chicken question

[curly_kate]

I found a chicken in my coop looking ill. Eyes were all crusty, and she seems disoriented, so I brought her inside. After searching the internet, I decided it must be coryza, but she doesn't smell bad like it's supposed to. I tried to wipe some of the gunk away, and all of this whitish viscous gunk started coming out. So I pried her eyes open very gently, and - honest to God - it looks like she does not have eyes any more! Is that possible??? The weather has been snowy, and the chickens have been staying in the coop most of the day. There was no sign of illness yesterday, and none of the other birds looks sick now. So am I completely crazy, or is it possible the other birds pecked her eyes out???

I know I should be asking this over on BYC, but I like you guys better.

 

[BarredBuff]

I havent a clue. But if that was me I would keep her separate and keep her babied. Then run to the coop and look for anybody with the early signs of illness. Hope this helps!
ETA: Does she feel light weighted? When I get ill ones thats something they have in common.

 

[ohiofarmgirl]

oh geez thanks baby we love you too!

sorry about your chicken. and yes its possible. chickens can be very weird. she may have been sick or weak in another way and they just went after her.

you might want to think about culling her.

sorry, honey. a sad find indeed
:-(

 

[curly_kate]

No, she feels normal. She's not wheezing or sneezing. Nothing coming out of her nose....

ETA: DH is going to put her down when he gets home. I just want to be sure I should treat the flock for a respiratory illness.

 

[BarredBuff]

OFG is probably right. Culling may be the best option. Because if it is illness she is probably to far along for treatment. The main thing is making sure the others dont get sick.
ETA Could I see a picture?

 

[FarmerChick]

yikes Curly that sounds nasty

yes culling her is best truly
she sounds just awful and might involve alot of time to recoup her so if it isn't the "pet" type I would finish the job and move forward.

cruddy things happen to animals, I don't like it either!

 

[ohiofarmgirl]

give her a couple pets from us and tell her she was a good ol' gal.. and in just a little while its nothing but free ranging in that safe pasture in the sky.

and give yourself a hug too.

 

[curly_kate]

Thanks guys! Our chickens are pretty much just livestock, not pets, so I don't see myself teaching her Braille or anything. Maybe I could train the dog to be her guide dog.... (Sorry, gallows humor!) It's extremely creepy to me that the others would do that, but I am relieved it's looking less like a respiratory illness & more like Lord of the Flies, Chicken Edition. Weird because this chicken actually had blue eyes. I wonder if that's what set the others off. Are chickens color-blind?

 

[Beekissed]

Never heard of a chicken with blue eyes but it sounds like she might have had an eye problem all along if that is the case...sometimes blindness or cataracts can evidence as a bluish looking film over the eyes.