Itching Eye

[barzey]

Hello folks. Recently built brand new aviary and had first baby out but it seems to be rubbing around its eyes area and started to look unwell. Any advice would be appreciated please. I have separated it from the other birds entirely.

[birdguhl]

Hi barzey - welcome to the forum

I'm sure others will comment but any possibly ill bud needs to be kept warm. Do you have anything like Guardian Angel to give it a boost?

How old is the baby?

Any other symptoms - laboured breathing, fluffing, lethargic, abnormal droppings?

Any other worrying signs in your other birds?

[barzey]

Hello and thank you for a quick reply. Its an Albino Hen that was the only one from the nest which had 4 clear eggs in it. It has been out of the nest box 6 weeks and in the general area of the aviary with the other birds (not Colony Breeding). It was doing fine until about 3 days ago.
No other birds have any sign of any problems at all. Yes it is fluffing a bit and the tail keeps popping up and down. Has its quiet moments as well as its busy moments. Droppings appear quite normal. Eating and drinking ok. We have it indoors and therefore kept quite warm. I have been out of the Hobby for some years and do not know what 'Guardian Angel' is - I presume its some form of Tonic ?

[Hezz]

Guardian angel:
www.birdcareco.com/English/TheBirdCareCompany/ProductInformation/Guardian-Angel

Cold weak black tea is good for eye conditions. You could try washing the eye and surrounds with this. It seems to have a soothing affect.

[budgiefriend]

ope the little one is feeling better soon.

[BudgiesBuddy]

If it just the one hen, separate her from others.

Also check the nest box she was in for anything which can cause this. For example paint, nest box sides joining glue, or insects and so on.

[barzey]

Good morning folks and thanks for the replies.

Firstly I have 24 Buds in all and wonder what is the best size of 'Guardian Angel' pack to order? I will have to order online as any pet places around where I live carry very few items indeed.

We are trying the 'Cold Tea' idea in a minute or two (oddly enough the Wife suggested that the other day as it works for people).

Nest box is fine and being used by same parents at the moment with no problems in there or anywhere else in the aviary. The sick bird is currently being kept warm indoors with us and does seem to be slightly better but continues to scratch around the area. Surely it cannot be a 'Red Mite' infection as the weather has been too cold for them the last couple of months and the aviary was only built in July, at least I am hoping its not.

[BudgiesBuddy]

Guardian Angel is a sick and stressed birds supplement, so you won't need it that often. 80 gram bottle lasted for two years with me.

Can you post a picture of the eye?

[barzey]

I am so grateful for the advice and assistance you have all tried to give but on a really close examination just now firstly I could now feel huge lumps around its left eye and beak/cheek area. With the aid of a magnifying glass it became blatantly apparent to me that it was a growth and closing his eyes now and I have had to do the obvious. I am upset and the Wife in tears, something I guess we will have to get used to I suppose. But please allow me to extend my thanks once again to each of you on this.

[Hezz]

Oh that sounds harsh. Poor little mite.

RIP little fella.

[Gaile]

Please check your nest boxes don't have red mite.

[starlingqueen]

Maybe a vet might have been the first option.

[barzey]

Nest Boxes and aviary all checked for Red Mite - no trace. However that morning the left side of its head and beak was swollen almost to twice the size, both its eyes were closing or closed and there was no other viable option when its like that. Hopefully anyone could see that it wasn't dispatched lightly, I couldn't leave any animal suffering like that.