Chick can’t close eye

[Silkiechicken66]

So I have a chick that just recently hatched(week old today) that can’t close one of its eyes. It is slightly smaller than the other eye, and it’s like it just doesn’t have the skin there to close.
Im constantly having to clean the eye, as it keeps getting food and debris stuck in it no matter how much I clean the cage. Is there anything better I could do?

(One picture with mostly cleaned up, and another from a little bit ago that I’m working on right now)

 

[MysteryChicken]

Strange situation . I'm not sure how to help you.

 

[CalBickieMomma]

It looks like there might be something crusty on the edges of its eye that keeps it from being able to close it - like part of the egg membrane dried on the eyelid and is keeping it open. Maybe try using a warm, damp paper cloth to soften the crusty stuff then carefully peel it off. Hopefully this is the problem and you’ll be able to fix it soon - poor little bean!

 

[Silkiechicken66]

It looks like there might be something crusty on the edges of its eye that keeps it from being able to close it - like part of the egg membrane dried on the eyelid and is keeping it open. Maybe try using a warm, damp paper cloth to soften the crusty stuff then carefully peel it off. Hopefully this is the problem and you’ll be able to fix it soon - poor little bean!

What’s crusted around the eye is dried eye guck and debris(mostly food). I clean the eye with a damp paper towel or q-tip several times a day. I was hoping if I got it cleaned enough and kept it that way, maybe it would help. Sadly It hasn’t so far.

 

[CalBickieMomma]

Ugh. I feel so bad for the little critter. Wish I knew what was wrong and how to help .

 

[Alaskan]

Maybe it is a plugged tear duct?

I would try a super warm (but still comfortable to the touch) warm washcloth to massage the area each time you clean it... hoping the warm wet massage will help loosen up whatever is wrong.

 

[Silkiechicken66]

Update.
Its eye is really bad right now, and my sisters currently helping me clean it. It was closed with gunk and swollen. I’m not sure what these chunks are, but these and fluid came out once I got the gunk off. The chick is perky and acting as if nothing is wrong.

I’ll post again once I’m done cleaning it.

 

[ackie]

oh wow I'd probably remove it from whatever bedding it's in and keep it on like puppy pads or a towel, something with less debris, and maybe try a less messy feeder style. just to keep the ick down while you figure out what's wrong.

did the warm washcloth compresses do anything?

I have heard of people putting triple antibiotic on chicks eyes but I'm not confident about suggesting that.

 

[Silkiechicken66]

oh wow I'd probably remove it from whatever bedding it's in and keep it on like puppy pads or a towel, something with less debris, and maybe try a less messy feeder style. just to keep the ick down while you figure out what's wrong.

did the warm washcloth compresses do anything?

I have heard of people putting triple antibiotic on chicks eyes but I'm not confident about suggesting that.

I have it on paper towels, and the water and food is on a grate so the extra falls out of the brooder. They helped a little, but not much. The eye closes better than before but not fully. It makes a lot of mucus, and food sticks to that.

Here’s how far I’ve gotten on the eye. I’m letting it rest for a bit in the brooder, it was getting cold and restless. Once it’s warmed up I’ll finish.

 

[ackie]

I have it on paper towels, and the water and food is on a grate so the extra falls out of the brooder. They helped a little, but not much. The eye closes better than before but not fully. It makes a lot of mucus, and food sticks to that.

Here’s how far I’ve gotten on the eye. I’m letting it rest for a bit in the brooder, it was getting cold and restless. Once it’s warmed up I’ll finish.

warming him up is good. sounds like you've got the right idea. antibiotic eyedrops exist but I dont know what is available otc.