Chick with bald spots

[Grenadianexpat]

One of the more feral chicks that I saved from predation is in with 5 other similar aged chicks in a small elevated enclosure. It is Black, I noticed it had bald white areas around its left eye, and the top of the wing. Not seeing any inflammation I gave it a couple of days to see how it progressed. The bald areas have got bigger on the face and wing.

On inspection today I finally realised it was the chick dragging its head over the top of its wing thereby wearing away the feathers.

I have applied sevens to the surrounding areas in case it is some form of mite infestation. Obviously there is an itch or irritation but I don't know the likely causes. Giving it a little collar like you put on dogs might prevent the rubbing, but probably would drive the chick crazy when it can't scratch the itch.

None of the other birds have any symptoms.

Any ideas.

 

[DobieLover]

Is there some form of irritation in the left eye and that is why it is rubbing it on it's wing?

 

[Grenadianexpat]

Not being facetious, but its chicken and egg. Is the eye irritated and it's itching, or is it itching because it's being rubbed. It has a tendency to keep the eye closed or half open.
I am toying with the idea of giving a tea solution rinse to that eye, which may give it a little relief, but I wanted to see if the sevens had any affect before washing it away.

 

[Grenadianexpat]

It's early days.... literally, a couple of hours after the sevens application, but the chick seems much happier in itself, the rubbing seems to have stopped and the eye looks less troubled and open, and I am hopeful. I'll check again later, and will also give the whole mini flock a spray down with the sevens solution, as it will be easier than trying to dust them.

 

[silkiemother]

she might have gotten a bit of dust or bedding in her eye

 

[Grenadianexpat]

Just a follow up, the sevens seems to have done the trick, the feathers are slowly returning, and there is no more head rubbing on the wings. As it was a "wild" yard fowl chick it probably got mites from a wild bird. The 6 varying age chicks were in a small mesh purpose built isolation enclosure, so there was nothing to enter the eye as was suggested. The enclosure is to take young chicks through to release in safety from predators, or help a hen to stop being broody.