Blind (or mostly blind) Hen?

[AGirlAndHerChickens]

I've had this hen for about a year, and I just noticed something strange about her. I don't know if she's always been this way or if it's a recent development, but she seems to be mostly blind.
I first noticed about two weeks ago when I was collecting eggs out from under her. She was surprisingly calm and would only cluck when she could feel my hand touching her. That's when I noticed that her pupils were super tiny, and she wouldn't look at me. I waved my hand right by her face, and she flinched slightly, but when my wave got slower, she remained uneffected. I could bring my finger right up to her eyeball and almost be touching it and she wouldn't react.
At the same time, however, she can fly onto the roost and into high nesting boxes without a problem, and she has no trouble navigating the coop and finding food and water.
What do you guys think? Could she be totally blind and navigating by other senses or can she see a little bit? How might this have happened? (It's possible she was hatched this way, but I doubt it. I'm sure I would've noticed.)
I was out cleaning the coop today and was able to observe her a bit closer. She didn't react when I dropped straw by her unless she could hear it. She is almost constantly turning her head to the left and looking around, and sometimes walks in circles, always turning to the left. Her head is just barely cocked to the left. It almost looks like a mild form of wry neck, which leads me to think it could be a neurological condition or the result of a head injury or something.
I'm not terribly concerned about her since she's acting healthy otherwise and laying eggs and such, but it would be nice to have some answers.
I should also note that one of the older chickens tends to bully her and the rest of the chickens raised with her. That may include some eye pecking.
Any ideas? (she's vaccinated for Marek's)

 

[Wishing4Wings]

Both her eyes are the same? What about the iris color? Is it the same or getting pale?

If you have a chance, try to get some close up pics of her eyes.

The biggest problem with a blind bird is making sure they get enough to eat and drink. How is her weight?

 

[Mamatomany123]

Both her eyes are the same? What about the iris color? Is it the same or getting pale?

If you have a chance, try to get some close up pics of her eyes.

The biggest problem with a blind bird is making sure they get enough to eat and drink. How is her weight?

I agree with this. I have a blind hen. The food is always in the exact same spot, as is the water. Shes a bit smaller than the others but has always been so I'm not worried. The way you explain her favoring the left makes me think she at least has some vision in that eye. The best thing to do, in my opinion. Is keep evertlyhting consistent. Dont move the food or water. Dont change the roost. Dont add big obstacles in the run that have been there.

 

[AGirlAndHerChickens]

Both her eyes are the same? What about the iris color? Is it the same or getting pale?

If you have a chance, try to get some close up pics of her eyes.

The biggest problem with a blind bird is making sure they get enough to eat and drink. How is her weight?

Her irises are yellow. The same color as her sister's. I may be able to get pics tomorrow. It's dark out right now.

She finds the food and water just fine and even is able to find the nests to lay eggs. She's not underweight at all and seems healthy otherwise.

 

[AGirlAndHerChickens]

I agree with this. I have a blind hen. The food is always in the exact same spot, as is the water. Shes a bit smaller than the others but has always been so I'm not worried. The way you explain her favoring the left makes me think she at least has some vision in that eye. The best thing to do, in my opinion. Is keep evertlyhting consistent. Dont move the food or water. Dont change the roost. Dont add big obstacles in the run that have been there.

That makes a lot of sense thanks for the tip! Everything has been the same for 9 years now, so keeping it the same shouldn't be a problem.

 

[Mamatomany123]

That makes a lot of sense thanks for the tip! Everything has been the same for 9 years now, so keeping it the same shouldn't be a problem.

Your other girls may know also. I got really lucky and got an awesome first set of chicks when I started my flock. This girl came with them and if she gets lost or disoriented shell make a little cry and theyll go running to her. One also always makes sure they're by her when they roam the yard. It's super sweet and fascinating.

 

[AGirlAndHerChickens]

Your other girls may know also. I got really lucky and got an awesome first set of chicks when I started my flock. This girl came with them and if she gets lost or disoriented shell make a little cry and theyll go running to her. One also always makes sure they're by her when they roam the yard. It's super sweet and fascinating.

That's awesome! My hen luckily was raised with four other chickens (two of which happen to be roosters ). They all hang out together and watch out for her.

 

[Mamatomany123]

That's awesome! My hen luckily was raised with four other chickens (two of which happen to be roosters ). They all hang out together and watch out for her.

Chickens are fascinating little things. I wouldnt worry too much unless she starts to shows weight loss or symptoms of distress

 

[AGirlAndHerChickens]

Chickens are fascinating little things. I wouldnt worry too much unless she starts to shows weight loss or symptoms of distress

So far everything has been fine! She manages it well enough that I didn't notice for a while Watching her today, I noticed that she was eating and drinking plenty.

 

[AGirlAndHerChickens]

Both her eyes are the same? What about the iris color? Is it the same or getting pale?

If you have a chance, try to get some close up pics of her eyes.

The biggest problem with a blind bird is making sure they get enough to eat and drink. How is her weight?

Here is the seemingly blind hen. Next picture is her sister.