baby chick wont open eyes

[sundancefun]

I've read several threads about this topic that give wonderful advice--I'm wondering if anyone has any follow up info. I received a Buff Orpington along with several other chick in the mail today from My Pet Chicken. She was huddled up in the corner of the box with her eyes shut. I was afraid she was blind or had her eyes pecked out, but they are there, and she can open them, she just doesn't open them wide and closes them immediately afterward.

There's no goop, and her lower lids have no crustiness. However, they seem thick, and there's a blackish horizontal line through the middle of both lids. Maybe it's transparent and I'm seeing through to her eyeball in that area? I'm not sure.

I've wiped her eyes with a warm cloth, and fed her sugar water, but she isn't perking up. She stays away from the others, and doesn't seem to eat or drink unless I am dipping her beak. She doesn't chirp loudly or act particularly distressed, and she can walk around just fine. She keeps trying to huddle under the larger (2 week old chicks) in the brooder. The other Orpington that came with her is perfectly fine, as are the other chicks (although one Red Star is particularly aggressive to everybody in the brooder). I am also checking regularly for pasting up, but see no symptoms.

I've seen that some chicks seem to make it and others don't when they don't open their eyes, and I REALLY want this little girl to live. Any additional suggestions or followup?

Thank you so much!

 

[sundancefun]

Update: she keeps rolling herself over backwards, then struggles to right herself. I've put her in a small box with holes, given her water and food and put her under the lamp in the brooder. I'm hoping she makes it through the night.

I fed her water in a small spoon, and she was drinking, then started blowing bubbles (there was a lot of saliva). Then she made a squeak like she was choking, struggled a bit, then started peeping again. I haven't seen her eat any food, even though she was rolling around in it.

Is it possible she is contagious to my other 2-day olds and my 2-week olds?

Thank you

 

[ten chicks]

I've read several threads about this topic that give wonderful advice--I'm wondering if anyone has any follow up info. I received a Buff Orpington along with several other chick in the mail today from My Pet Chicken. She was huddled up in the corner of the box with her eyes shut. I was afraid she was blind or had her eyes pecked out, but they are there, and she can open them, she just doesn't open them wide and closes them immediately afterward.

There's no goop, and her lower lids have no crustiness. However, they seem thick, and there's a blackish horizontal line through the middle of both lids. Maybe it's transparent and I'm seeing through to her eyeball in that area? I'm not sure.

I've wiped her eyes with a warm cloth, and fed her sugar water, but she isn't perking up. She stays away from the others, and doesn't seem to eat or drink unless I am dipping her beak. She doesn't chirp loudly or act particularly distressed, and she can walk around just fine. She keeps trying to huddle under the larger (2 week old chicks) in the brooder. The other Orpington that came with her is perfectly fine, as are the other chicks (although one Red Star is particularly aggressive to everybody in the brooder). I am also checking regularly for pasting up, but see no symptoms.

I've seen that some chicks seem to make it and others don't when they don't open their eyes, and I REALLY want this little girl to live. Any additional suggestions or followup?

Thank you so much!

Give her something like Sav-A-Chick. You could also add warm water to her feed,so it resembles oatmeal,chicks love this,easier for the frail ones to eat.

 

[sundancefun]

Thank you so much!

 

[sundancefun]

Update: she made it through the night, but still won't open her eyes, eat food, or drink water. The nice ladies at My Pet Chicken suggested we use Nutri-Chick for an immediate boost of nutrients. She keeps blowing bubbles and struggling with heavy saliva every time she drinks (we are beak dipping in a small bowl). She can't keep upright on her feet, and leans her head back until she rolls over, then can't get herself upright, so we are snuggling her in our hands so she is warm and secure, and she seems to be much calmer.

I think if she could keep her eyes open, she would eat and drink. Any ideas?

Thank you!

 

[sundancefun]

Update: we think we know what's wrong. The chick is a stargazer! We put her on Nutri Drench, and after one dose she was up on her legs better. We've started her on poly vi sol... Any other suggestions?

Thanks!

 

[garew]

I have an Easter Egger that came in this morning with the same issues.
The other 3 are very perky and running around... one is smaller and will not open her eyes. I have SavAChick Electrolyte, is this what I need to feed her?

Update: Day 2
I made a bottle of electrolyte water for her (do not over do it because their kidneys can not process too much). I pretty much held her all night watering and feeding her all night. She would not take the chick feed, so I made a mush from crushed bean powder that you can find at any Korean store. This morning her eyes were wide open and she was running around... though she still seems a little slow in the head. She can not quite figure out the watering nipple or how to make it to the feeder on her own... just finds it by chance. Also so she constantly harassing the other chicks by pecking their beaks.

Update: Day 3
She is completely normal now!!! Acts just like all the other chicks. I thought for sure she would not make it. On the upside I have strongly imprinted on her... guess I'm her mama.

 

[sundancefun]

It's called stargazing, and is a vitamin deficiency. Use the baby vitamin polyvisol liquid drops.
We discovered too late, and the chick started to recover, but was too malnourished. Make sure she doesn't roll over into the water and drown. They are a little wobbly while they recover.

 

[amy blandford]

Use q-tips with warm water about 8 to 10 times in row.

 

[Chicka D Mama]

I have a 2 day old chick doing the same thing! How much Polyvisol do I give her and how do I feed it to her? Please help. I know they can die quickly if not resolved soon. Thank you!