Blind Rooster

[Andreapurgason]

I had a wild rooster take up here alone. He went some where and fought with another rooster, the third fight (Susie) ( my granddaughter named him) he got beat up real bad. I seen him in my neighbors yard just standing there. It had rained earlier, he was wet and his entire head was bloody. I slipped up behind him and tried to pick him up he was Squawking and flapping so hard I let him go. I finally got a towel and tossed over him. I brought him in the house and kept him in a rabbit cage. First few days he wouldn’t eat or drink I feed him tomato pulp and water in a syringe for around 3 days then spoon feed him 3 days. But only after dark during the day he pecked me. His fight was 2/18/20 finally after 8 days he was eating and drinking water like crazy. I also soaked his head nightly to clean up what I could. Both eyes covered with dried blood, no feathers on his head. This is day 12 I don’t think his eyes are gonna get better. He still can’t see when I move my fingers around his eyes. He crowed for the first time this morning around 11am. Scared me and the grandchildren he was so loud..... My question: is it possible for his eyes to get better? I don’t have the time to devote looking after a blind rooster or a place to keep him. I know he would be happier outside. I don’t want to get him his own flock and if his sight returns I can’t keep him from going back and getting beat up... Any suggestions?

 

[sourland]

That right eye looks as if it is healing. I would put ophthalmic ointment on his eyes, and hope for the best.

 

[Eggcessive]

Can you try a warm wet washcloth as a compress held on the left eye for a few minutes to soften the bloody crust on his eye to help get it open? Then apply some Terramycin eye ointment (ask at your feed store for it) into the eye at least twice a day. I have used plain Neosporin or Triple Antibiotic Ointment in an emergency. If his eye is intact, he should start to improve since he is eating and drinking.

 

[Andreapurgason]

Update. Both eyes look gray to me.... on a good note I see feathers coming back. What can I do with him? I invested time to save him.

 

[Eggcessive]

Do you have other chickens? The reason I say that is that he could be sick and could infect your healthy chickens. Some diseases can cause cloudy eyes, cataracts, and in Mareks disease, a grey cornea with a pinpoint or irregular pupil. He might have grey eyes due to past fighting or infection. Does he seem to be able to see his food or water?

 

[Andreapurgason]

No just this one rooster that took up here. His eyes are gray from that fight. I keep his food and water in the same spot... Susie is still in the rabbit cage inside my house. He doesn’t respond when I wave my hand by his eyes.


Do you have other chickens? The reason I say that is that he could be sick and could infect your healthy chickens. Some diseases can cause cloudy eyes, cataracts, and in Mareks disease, a grey cornea with a pinpoint or irregular pupil. He might have grey eyes due to past fighting or infection. Does he seem to be able to see his food or water?

 

[Henry&Friends]

I would keep doing what you’re doing, and hope his eyesight comes back. He doesn’t respond at all to movement?

 

[Henry&Friends]

If he is truly blind, and you know you cannot house and take care of him, you may consider culling. It seems cruel, but a blind chicken is a sitting duck, and I would (personally) rather cull him myself than leave him outside for predators to grab. Him regaining his crow is a good sign though, so if you can, continue as you have been he may recover Fully. What have you been feeding him? I would give him a daily scrambled egg for a protein boost along with his feed

 

[Andreapurgason]

I would keep doing what you’re doing, and hope his eyesight comes back. He doesn’t respond at all to movement?

He blinks his eyes normally. But not when I put my finger near his eyes.

 

[Andreapurgason]

If he is truly blind, and you know you cannot house and take care of him, you may consider culling. It seems cruel, but a blind chicken is a sitting duck, and I would (personally) rather cull him myself than leave him outside for predators to grab. Him regaining his crow is a good sign though, so if you can, continue as you have been he may recover Fully. What have you been feeding him? I would give him a daily scrambled egg for a protein boost along with his feed

I’ll give him more time. I wouldn’t put him outside in his condition. I’d hate to think I’ve put this much time and effort into getting him better to let him get attacked again. Looks like his feathers are growing back..