12 Week Old Pullet Going Blind

[sbhkma]

I have a lovely 12 week old Speckled Sussex pullet that appears to have gone blind in her right eye. It looks like she may also be going blind in her left eye-I see some cloudiness there. I free range my girls for most of the day and I was ok with her being partially blind. (they are not ranging yet-was going to start that toward the end of the month). But a fully blind chicken is not going to be able to range with the flock or find her way back to the coop. I am looking to rehome her to a pet home, but am also wondering if anyone here has any other ideas? I live on Lockhart, TX and already checked for any poultry rescue in the Lockhart/Austin Tx are with no luck.

 

[Eggcessive]

Could you post pictures of the eyes? There can be several causes of blindness or cloudy eyes. Changes in color or pupil shape or size can be a sign of the ocular form of Mareks disease. Cataracts, infections, trauma, vitamin A or E deficiency, avian encephalomyelitis as a chick, or Mareks disease are some of the things that may cause eye disorders. Ammonia fumes from droppings is another common cause of blindness in poultry. Most can get around well enough with sight in one eye, but it might be difficult with no eyesight. If the eye is cloudy, she might see light and dark, and some shapes or objects. Here is some reading for you: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ps031

 

[sbhkma]

I'll post a pic when I can thanks. She and the 2 Welsummer chicks are in a coop & run that is a little over 50 sq feet and is moved every 10-14 days. The coop itself is cleaned and fresh pine shavings are replaced weekly. She and the other two get Rooster Booster vitamin & electrolytes in their water daily (with cold fresh rooster booster water replaced 2-3 times daily). She had a Marek's vaccine as a chick according to the breeder. She eats and drinks really well. She's quite a bit smaller than the Wellies, but they're also 2 1/2 weeks older. I weighed her last week and she was just under 2 lbs which seemed small. I'll read that article and go take a pic of Chaos' eyes.

 

[sbhkma]

Her right eye is the one that seems blind. I can tell she can see out of the left eye, but not sure if I see cloudiness or if I'm just too worried to see clearly.

 

[sbhkma]

Here is a full body shot of her

 

[sbhkma]

I did neglect to mention that I have her on oxytetracyline as a "shotgun" approach to try to help her. I know she can see out of her left eye. The right one seems blind or nearly so-perhaps she sees shadows. She sucks at trying to find treats I toss on the ground in their run but that's fine. I'm just worried she may not be a good candidate for free range bird-hood.

 

[Eggcessive]

I can't tell much from her eye pictures, but she may have just been pecked in her eye. Hopefully, the antibiotic will treat any infection if any is there. She may surprise you and get around well enough as long as things stay in the same places.

 

[Granny Hatchet]

can eye worms do that ? (just trying to learn)

 

[sbhkma]

Eye worms? Never heard of such a thing, but she and the rest of the flock were dewormed with Valbazen last month.