I have a new 4 day old chick, she sleeps a lot in the brooder and is really slow to open her eyes up after waking up. She will even get up and walk around with her eyes shut. I can pick her up and play with her, still has her eyes shut... I thought that she couldnt open them at all for a while, but when I put her back in the brooder one of the other chicks (playfully) pecked at her, and she opened one eye. so I watched them for half an hour or so, and I lost her in the bunch, they all had both eyes open. so I thought .. problem solved.
Wrong...
I go back in about 2 hours later, and she is sleeping again. I didn't pick her up this time, I just woke her and watched.
She got up (eyes closed) and wandered around the brooder, bumping into 2 or 3 of her mates. then went to the food dish and ate a bit, then moseyed over to the water and got a drink... all with both eyes firmly closed.
So, I pick her up again, and try to get her to open her eyes... She won't, no matter what I try.. So, back in she goes, and another playful kick from one of her mates, she opens one eye....
This can't be normal?
She is getting around, she isn't lethargic, she is eating and drinking, but she does sleep an aweful lot compared to her mates...
Any ideas?
Wrong...
I go back in about 2 hours later, and she is sleeping again. I didn't pick her up this time, I just woke her and watched.
She got up (eyes closed) and wandered around the brooder, bumping into 2 or 3 of her mates. then went to the food dish and ate a bit, then moseyed over to the water and got a drink... all with both eyes firmly closed.
So, I pick her up again, and try to get her to open her eyes... She won't, no matter what I try.. So, back in she goes, and another playful kick from one of her mates, she opens one eye....
This can't be normal?
She is getting around, she isn't lethargic, she is eating and drinking, but she does sleep an aweful lot compared to her mates...
Any ideas?
