4 day old Salmon Faverolle with eyes closed

[Newbiechixmomma]

Picked up two salmon chicks yesterday (along w 6 others) and both had their eyes closed. The person I got them from said it's "normal" for salmons the first couple days up to a week?? I'm no expert on the breed, but seems not right. One of them passed away last night (they were delivered to the nursery on Friday, I know this can happen w shopping). This one is doing ok after some coaxing w vitamin drops and watching closely. I've used warm water and a Qtip to moisten the eyes and they will open, but eventually close up. She is now eating and drinking.

Anyone have any experience w something like this with this breed? Any input appreciated!

 

[azygous]

It's really not breed specific. Baby chicks respond differently to shipping stress, and not all baby chicks are quick to learn how to drink from a waterer.

Lethargy and weakness and balance issues all are symptoms of shipping stress and adjustment issues. To revive such a chick, a little warm sugar water, ideally laced with poultry vitamins such as Poultry Nutri-drench, almost always turns such a chick around.

If the symptoms persist and the chick continues to decline or shows signs of not growing, then failure-to-thrive syndrome should be suspected. Special high protein feedings can sometimes boost such a chick, but genetic issues are usually responsible, and the prognosis is poor for such chicks.

 

[YourLostSock]

Funny coincidence. I just got a Salmon Favorelle chick yesterday as well. It is also 4 days old and had its eyes closed when I bought it. I don’t know if is a breed specific thing, but mine has had gunk/ crust around the eyes and I’ve started using saline to clean its eyes and applying terranycin ointment as an antibiotic in case it has an infection. It is doing much better now and it’s eyes get more open with each treatment. Best of luck.

 

[Newbiechixmomma]

It's really not breed specific. Baby chicks respond differently to shipping stress, and not all baby chicks are quick to learn how to drink from a waterer.

Lethargy and weakness and balance issues all are symptoms of shipping stress and adjustment issues. To revive such a chick, a little warm sugar water, ideally laced with poultry vitamins such as Poultry Nutri-drench, almost always turns such a chick around.

If the symptoms persist and the chick continues to decline or shows signs of not growing, then failure-to-thrive syndrome should be suspected. Special high protein feedings can sometimes boost such a chick, but genetic issues are usually responsible, and the prognosis is poor for such chicks.

Thank you! I didn't have nutri drench on hand so I used PolyViSol (no iron), they're also getting vitamins and electrolytes in their waterer. The remaining SF is eating and drinking but eyes still closed, thats more my concern - should I be trying to get them to open or should I wait it o

Funny coincidence. I just got a Salmon Favorelle chick yesterday as well. It is also 4 days old and had its eyes closed when I bought it. I don’t know if is a breed specific thing, but mine has had gunk/ crust around the eyes and I’ve started using saline to clean its eyes and applying terranycin ointment as an antibiotic in case it has an infection. It is doing much better now and it’s eyes get more open with each treatment. Best of luck.

Funny you posted this, I was a vet tech and still work at a vet, I was thinking Terramycin too last night but was worried. Tried it this afternoon soon afternoon this post and then went for a ride. When we came back they were open. I'll continue to apply it until I see they stay open. It's like a different chick!

 

[YourLostSock]

Im so glad to hear that! Mines eyes are almost fully open now. Remember, a chick that cannot see cannot really eat or drink. I’m sure they feel much better now that they can see and easily find food and water. Keep applying the Terramycin. I’m aiming to do mine twice a day for five days since it’s a rather strong antibiotic.
Make sure they hydrate up, that’s your first concern. If they still seem weak I recommend hard boiled egg yolk cut into very small pieces or some scrambled egg once they get hungry and seem stable. It should give them a boost.