We have a problem

Pebbles and Caramel have found a new favourite spot to sit. They have been spending a lot of time sat on the log either preening or snoozing.

Caramel and Pebbles new favourite spot to perch

Caramel and Pebbles sitting on the log

I think this may be because they were spending time on the little coup roof but now that I have moved it back to the patio this has given them a new place of a similar height where they feel safe when they want to doze. So far the other girls haven’t bothered them here.

I wrote the above part of this post yesterday and was going to finish it when the girls had gone to bed so that I could update how they went in.

Shortly after I had taken these photos I noticed that Caramel had a problem with her right eye.

From the day she came to us she has occasionally sneezed and wobbled her head. I wasn’t sure if I should be concerned but we have had girls who have sneezed before and have also had hiccups and we told ourselves that she had been with Kirsten for a year so she must be okay. She was active, eating well, drinking, pooping and dust bathing so we figured it was nothing to worry about.

Yesterday afternoon I noticed her right eye looked sticky. We weren’t sure if it was connected to her sneezing and she had a cold or if she had either got something in her eye or been pecked although there was no visible sign of a peck.

I decided to call Kirsten for advice. I asked her if I should take Caramel to the vet. She said seramas are susceptible to colds and sometimes have them after she has taken them to a show so maybe the move has caused a bit of stress. She said there is no point taking her to a vet because they would only give antibiotics which won’t help with a cold. She said she has a very good vet who has told her that any products we use for our eyes can also be used on chicken’s eyes so she would advise using eye drops.

I happened to have optrex eye wash and also eye moisturising drops as I have just had a recent problem with a scratch to my eye (I wear contact lenses and this happens from time to time).

I tried the moisturising drops in her eye yesterday afternoon as they are very gentle and soothing. Her eye appeared a little better but worsened again as the day went on.

At half past six both Caramel and Pebbles were where their little coop used to be and were looking around and upwards in confusion. I didn’t want them to become stressed so once again I put them in the chicken shed and closed the pop hole.

Just the same as the night before they settled in the same corner behind the door and the other girls were waiting at the pop hole at seven o’clock. I let them in and they all perched up. I left the automatic door connected this time.

This morning I went out just before seven o’clock. Caramel’s eye looked the same and I wondered if the moisturising drops may have added to the stickiness so I decided to give her some of the optrex eye wash from a pipette. Once again it looked a bit better for a little while but when I checked on her a little later it looked worse once more.

It now seems to be closed most of the time and I have decided it may be best to leave it alone.

Caramel has a problem with her right eye

She has been eating and pooping so that is encouraging. We now don’t think it’s a cold as we think that would effect both eyes. We think it’s more likely she may have been pecked although we can’t see anything.

Caramel stands by while Pebbles has a dust bath

It was sad to see that she didn’t join Pebbles in a dust bath so she obviously doesn’t feel right but she still sticks by Pebbles every where she goes.

I feel really worried about her but I don’t think there is anything we can do but give it time and hope she gets better. I would hate to lose her and she is my favourite of these two but I don’t know what else to do for her.

Both Amber and Honey had an injury to an eye and got better so I am keeping everything crossed for her. I shall be keeping a very close watch on her.