birth defects in chickens/??

[julieinco]

So we have only had chickens for a year, one went broody, so we got some eggs for her to hatch from a friend of a friend. Well the last one that hatched (6/18) doesn't seem to have any EYES! am i missing something? It stays close to momma and has sort of found food sometimes...what do we do????

 

[PoultryGirly]

A picture would be great!

 

[julieinco]

 

[julieinco]

okay, i've posted 3 pics, hope they help, it's sort of creepy

 

[silkiechicken]

Birth defects are actually pretty common. Most don't make it to term, but minor ones like missing eyes, a crooked face, cross beaks, exposed brain can make it out but ultimately don't generally thrive.

My chickens are livestock... I'd cull the chick.

If your chickens are pets and you are willing to raise an eyeless chicken, good luck!

 

[PoultryGirly]

Wow. I think the chicks will be okay. It needs to know where food and water is and needs to feel safe. Like silkiechicken said, it will most likely be fine if it is meant for a pet. I would probaby keep that unusual chick! Does it have one eye? On the first picture, it looks like it has an eye, but it's closed.

 

[farmgirlwanabe]

Hi, it's hard to tell from the photos but... I had a chick in my last hatch that had eyes that were stuck shut. I got a warm wet cloth and wiped the eyes and it worked. Could this possibly be the problem with yours?

 

[jeepgurl]

i also had one with one eye stuck shut. it really did look like it had no eye. the warm washcloth worked for me too.

 

[PoultryGirly]

My chicks were burnt by a heat lamp falling and they were rushed to the sink. Later the next day, their eyes were closed because of the light. We put eye drops in (the drops to clean contact lenses) their eyes to moisten them and to clean them. They are starting to open up now.

 

[julieinco]

I tried a damp paper towel yesterday and had no luck, so maybe I'll try a damp wash cloth too. thanks,