3 day old chick. BLIND???

[CrazyCatNChickenLady]

I dont really think this is an emergency or disease, so I posted here. I hatched out a batch of chicks monday/tuesday. 2 of the eggs didnt hatch until wednesday afternoon.

The last baby to hatch seemed to have a lot of difficulties getting out of his shell. He acted a little different once he was all dry and out of the bator. Very LOUD and seemed lost. I took a liking to this chick because I didnt expect him to hatch at all and there he was! He really liked being held too, and didnt run when I reached my hand in the brooder.

I find him sleeping in the strangest places and the other ones always seem to 'loose' him. I haven't seen him eat or drink at all. When he wakes up, or when I put him back in the brooder after holding him he runs in whatever direction he's facing. I've seen the poor little guy run into the thermometer, almost run into the wall a few times, he can never find the other chicks (14 others.. only when they're being noisy!), he pecks randomly at the air in front of him sometimes, and he always seems to fall over! Oh and his eyes really sad/squinty.

So I guess I have a few questions: How can I teach him to eat/drink? (I've been trying a couple drops of water, and chick start mash out of a syringe, but he doesn't like it at all!) and is he better off in with all the other chicks, or should I take him out and put him in a separate smaller brooder with maybe 1 other chick? Any suggestions, besides cull because I'm just not ready to do that yet! Any idea's on what could have cause this, too? Is it worth it? anyone have a blind chicken? I'm okay with a blind house-chicken.. as long as he can eat on his own!

Heres a pic of the little guy. I dont know what he is.. he was an 'eating egg' So I could see yolk color!

 

[Jane Jill Jack]

When I get my chicks shipped to me I don't let them explore their new home until I've dunked their heads into water to show where it is. Maybe this problem will pass, and until then you can kepp putting his beak into the water twice or more a day to make sure he won't die of thirst.

 

[sharol]

If he is blind, maybe a smaller brooder with only a friend or two would help him get his bearings.

If you dip her/his beak into water does she drink? What a tough call.

I know I have read of people with blind birds, I just don't remember if they were hatched blind.

 

[CrazyCatNChickenLady]

I did dip his beak when he first went in. I figured he knew where it was too. Esp cause he should see all the other ones drinking. There is also 3 chicks that are 1 1/2 weeks old that helped to show them where the food is too!

When I dip his beak he doesnt drink, He tries to dive in head first! Thats why i've been using a syringe to drop it on his beak. They're all in a 4'x3' brooder so im thinking if I put him in a smaller brooder he can eventually learn once he learns what food is? Like if I keep the food in the exact same spot always.

I've also read about chickens going blind, but I cannot recall one ever hatching blind.

I'm a Vet tech so I DO have the patience to work with the poor little guy!

 

[Jane Jill Jack]

Maybe extra viamins and enzymes could help restore eye vision?

If he can somehow sense or see, then an easier accessible area might help him finally get to eating himself.

 

[Judy]

I've read on here of several people who have a blind chicken. Hoping one of them will come along.

Many would cull -- up to you, of course. Best wishes, however it comes out.

 

[CrazyCatNChickenLady]

Thank you all for responding!

The vitamin thought crossed my mind. I have Vit. B complex(no iron in it). Maybe I will mix a little bit in with his mash.

I actually just got him to drink/eat from the syringe for the first time. He was pretty eager about it to. I think I got about 0.3ml in him, then tried to dip his beak with no luck! Maybe he wasnt thirsty!

I had to cull a hatchmate for having his intestines coming out. That was really hard for me, bacause I've always had the 'save them, or at least give 'em a chance' view on animals!! Also your talking to a softie who had a rooster with a broken leg live in the house for a few months! Then he turned out to be my favorite pet! (even above all the cats!)

 

[Redcatcher]

Blind chicks and chickens do surprisingly well. They learn quickly by hearing the other chicks. The best way that I know of to teach a blind chick how to eat is by tapping your finger where the food as if you are "pecking".

 

[CrazyCatNChickenLady]

Quote:
Great advice! I have noticed he listens for EVERYTHING! Even when I come in and talk he perks up!

Okay so my plan is to put him in smaller confines! Less room to get lost and loose his barings! Give him something easy to eat and drink out of! continue to assist feeding until he gets the hang of life!

I think I might call him 'Bumper' or 'Bink'!! Right now its just been Little Buddy! Oh and HE because guilty until proven innocent! It would be great if it ended up a little pullet though!

 

[drumstick diva]

He must be eating something to have survived since Monday-Tues hatching? If he dives headlong into the water maybe you could give him a very shallow pan or dish to drink from so he doesn't drown. The finger tapping is also a great idea so he knows where he is eat/drink. I think for food - you could plop him down in a shallow dish so food is all around him and anywhere he pecks, he should manage to get ahold of something. Maybe try feeding him some yogurt or mashed egg (they usually love that). If he has some amount of sight - maybe some food coloring would lure him to the water, or put a bit of sugar in the water so it tastes more appealing to him. He(she) is a little doll and you certainly have patience to take him on. Once he is bigger I don't think the blindess will be such a handicap to him except he should never free range. He would need a secure covered area and/ or a "seeing eye" chicken buddy . Good luck with him. He sounds well worth the effort.