Baby chick not growing and has swollen eye- advice appreciated

[Julie1977]

Hi all I have four 4 1/2 week old chicks and one of them just is not growing or feathering much. I have tried probiotics and smashed boiled eggs and now he has a swollen left eye. I do keep them warm and clean and feed them medicated chick feed, does anyone have any advice on what is going on?

His siblings are growing just fine. I cannot stand to see anything hurting. Any ideas would greatly appreciated. Thank you all, Julie

 

[Eggcessive]

Swelling around an eye can indicate an injury or a respiratory disease. Is there eye drainage or crust, or are there bubbles in the eye? Is there a peck mark? Did you raise the chicks or buy them from someone? For the meantime, I would clean the eye or use a warm compress, and use Terramycin or plain Neosporin ointment just a tiny dab in the eye twice a day. Watch for sneezing, chest rattles, or nasal drainage.

 

[Julie1977]

Hi and I thank you for replying! We hatched the 4 of them in a incubator and he did have sneezing before I started putting a probiotic in their water but that seems to have gone away but now a bad eye. It is not a peck it is just a really puffy eye poor little guy. Also no crust or bubbles, I will try the Neosporin. He is just not growing. I just don't know what to do. Here is a pic of him he is such a sweet little thing.

 

[Eggcessive]

If you have had older chickens with sneezing or similar symptoms, he may have gotten it from a carrier. LS50 (lincomycin/spectinomycin) or oxytetracycline in his water may help if it is a respiratory disease.

 

[Julie1977]

Hi and thanks again! Yes I do have 17 older chickens but the babies have not been near them. I am now a bit stumped but willing to try anything at this point thank you so much for the advice, Julie

 

[Eggcessive]

You're welcome. Sometimes we can spread diseases on our clothes, shoes, hands, and chicken feeders/waterers and the things we clean them with, and not be aware. If none of your older ones have shown respiratory symptoms before, that may not be the problem, but when wild birds come around feeders and waterers outside, our chickens can be exposed to many diseases.

 

[JRobichaud]

Sorry to jump in to your thread but i'm new at this and I have two chicks that have been sneezing and didn't grow. Their feathers are ruffled and missing in some places and they have a bad smell. I don't know what I should do.

 

[Julie1977]

Hi, I am quite new as well I have been given some very excellent advice on my little one that's not growing very much and was sneezing. There are some very knowledgeable nice people here. Just keep posting your chicken questions and you will get some very helpful information. I am new as well so I don't dare give advice but I do wish you the best of luck with your babies I do know how much we do love them