blind chick

[cindye]

we bought 3 wyndotte/rhode island red mix chicks. guessing about one month old. two are growing . third chick appears to be blind and is not growing. i read on this sight about a covering on the eye. she has that. looks like a cream colored contact. should i cull this bird. she can eat and drink and is not picked on by the other two.

 

[Cheyen]

If she can eat and drink normally, I wouldn't worry about it. When she's an adult, she'll probably need to stay in a covered run, rather than free range. I have a hen that's blind in one eye, and she gets around easily. She used to free range until I found out she'd been crossing the street to steal the neighbors' cat food. The only problem with a blind hen is that she needs to be kept safe and sound since she can't see predators... or oncoming traffic, lol.

 

[cindye]

thanks cheyen. we'll keep her safe and happy, happy, happy. she really "digs" the turkey starter vs chick starter. hoping she will grow with this mix. have 4 mature rhodes and i mix a little turkey starter in their food. should see the difference in egg size. have 11 coturnix quail and a new baby, three days old and they love it, too.