Why is my chicken's eye swollen or closed?
A swollen, foamy, or pus-filled chicken eye is almost always a sign of respiratory illness or a peck wound. Catch it early or it gets worse fast.
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Open AI Chicken DoctorMost likely causes
1. Mycoplasma gallisepticum
Classic symptom, foamy or bubbly eye discharge, swollen sinuses, often one-sided.
2. Coryza (Avibacterium paragallinarum)
Very contagious. Swollen face, foul-smelling discharge, sneezing.
3. Eye injury or peck wound
Trauma from a bully or branch. Usually one eye, no respiratory symptoms.
4. Foreign body
Hay, dust, or shavings stuck under the eyelid.
5. Vitamin A deficiency
Slow swelling, dry eyes, in birds on poor diets.
What to check first
- One eye or both?
- Foamy/bubbly discharge or just swollen?
- Foul smell from the face?
- Any sneezing, coughing, or other birds affected?
- Visible scratch, blood, or peck wound?
Home care that works
- Flush the eye gently with sterile saline twice a day.
- If injury suspected: apply Vetericyn eye gel or terramycin ophthalmic ointment.
- Isolate from the flock to prevent spread (Coryza/MG) or further pecking.
- Warm wet feed and electrolytes.
- Disinfect the coop and ensure good ventilation.
Call a vet if
- Both eyes swollen with foul smell (likely Coryza, needs antibiotics).
- Multiple birds with eye swelling.
- No improvement in 48 hours.
- Eye looks ruptured or has white film over the surface.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use human eye drops on a chicken?
Sterile saline is safe. Avoid medicated human drops, chicken eyes react differently. Terramycin or Vetericyn poultry eye products are better.
Is foamy eye in chickens contagious?
Yes, Mycoplasma and Coryza spread fast through droplets and shared waterers. Isolate immediately.