2 day old chick can't open eyes -- Advice Please

[CherokeeCowgirl]

2 chicks hatched out on the same day. The third chick hatched out a day later. He is up and walking around and chirping but he won't open his eyes. Both are shut and he won't hold them open. I have not seen him pecking, eating or drinking so I have been helping him with that to make sure he is getting something but I am worried he might not be able to do all this on his own.

Any insight on why he can't open his eyes?

 

[chicmom]

Does it look like his little eyes may be pasted shut?

 

[PeeperKeeper]

Is there any crusty matter around/on eyes?

 

[CherokeeCowgirl]

No, they aren't pasty looking. I gently tried prying his eyes open for him just in case something sticky from the hatching caused it but they open easily....he just can't hold them open.

 

[PeeperKeeper]

Some eye washes, from a drugstore, will contain a slight boric acid amount in them. The boric acid is an anti infectant. Being a late hatcher, he may have been exposed to a higher bacterial count in the bator than the first two. If it irritated his eyes, he may not want to open them. I can only suggest: Keep feeding and water him with sugar water solution and try bathing his eyes with the eye wash solution 3 times or more a day.
Good Luck.

 

[CherokeeCowgirl]

Visine? I have some of that on hand.