Despite regular eye drops, cleaning and wiping, Min's eye shows no improvement. Out of desperation, I have contacted a poultry infection laboratory, and will be sending them swabs tomorrow. They will test for a few different infections, and the hope is that once identified, they can then prescribe the most effective antibiotic. The other possibility is that she has a cyst behind her eye, in which case we're talking surgery. I never thought I would feel so upset about a small, dirty hen.
Today I pulled more of the horrible, rubbery substance from her eye socket. This necessary treatment causes Mini untold stress, and left her gasping. I loathe having to do it, but am hoping that I'm giving her eye a chance at retaining some function. However, at this stage I would happily see her lose the eye if it meant she would have a good quality of life. Plenty of chickens get by with only one eye, and I have no doubt that Mini would cope. She has effectively been one-eyed for nearly 6 weeks now, and has no problem eating, drinking and navigating the garden.
I am trying to be positive about the lab identifying the problem. I cannot even consider surgery without a very heavy heart.
Mini sounds like a little fighter I hope she will be ok. Its surprising the amount of stress a little chook can put on you isn't it?! I am currently up at 5:45 every morning to syringe antiotics into two very begrudging girls tightly shut beaks before I go to work - you are not alone! Never the less wouldn't it be nice to see things go smoothly for once... the trials and tribulations of chicken keeping! JB x
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