Could the Chick be blind?

[ThePolishPrincess]

I have a friend with a NHR that's blind. She's very obviously blind, her eyes have a yellow 'film' over them that seems to have developed over time, due to lack of care, I'm sure. And her eyes don't adjust when I bring my finger close or far from her eye. I always wonder and hope she is not in pain, because my friend doesn't seem to worry about her, and I must admit that she's either been in the same rutine for a long time, or she's very smart. She has access to a very large run, that isn't covered. She 'knows' where her food trough is, were the waterer is, and when she isn't eating or drinking, she has a special branch she roosts on. I can walk up to her and, if I'm quiet, she won't hear me. She gets along with the other birds just fine, and is not bullied at all. Even the roosters don't take advantage over her. I think giving the birds more space than their ratio calls for is part of the good fortune.

Seems like you know what you're doing with your Silkie. I hope she does well!

 

[lauriruth]

i have a 5 month old BO that is partially blind. noticed when she was a chicklette that she turned her head almost upside down to take a treat from my fingers...like she's coming at it from underneath. if i hold one worm in the palm of my hand, she sees it and pecks very strongly, but always misses by about a quarter of an inch...always below the actual worm. i just make sure she gets large "doses" of treats, so no matter where she pecks she get something. i often just pick her up and give her her own serving. really does make her more adorable than she already is!!!

 

[Happy Day Farm]

I have a 6 month old silkie and I am pretty sure she is blind. She is very shy and does not leave the coop during the day unless I physically carry her out. She only eats and drinks when the other chickens are outside. She does not go after any food laid in front of her. She sits alone in the coop in a corner. I put her in the coop at night. She has never walked in on her own, even once. The other chickens push her around. We have 11 week old large breed chicks and they peck at her. Last night one of my pygmy goats stepped on her. I feel so bad for her! I am almost certain she cannot see. We trimmed her crest last night. It was so huge that you could not see her eyes. It didnt seem to help. She is adorable and super sweet but completely lost if I am not holding her or guiding her. After we trimmed her crest last night, I put her back in the coop and she just stood there. I took her over to the other 2 silkies and she nuzzled with them but I literally have to move her everywhere. What can we do??? I hate to see them all pushing her around (the goat thing was a total accident and did not hurt her) but even the chicks peck her and pick on her. Please help!!! The adult hens are cochins, new hampshire reds, silkies, 1 dorking and 2 cochin roosters. They don't bother her as much as the chicks do. The chicks are new hampshire reds, white brahmas, aracaunas and buff orpingtons. They are all good natured and only peck at her. Help!!

 

[gritsar]

Quote:
Is there any of your other chickens you can put her with? If the adult birds are kind to her that's where I would leave her. I'm fortunate that my roo tends to my half blind hen very well.

 

[flgardengirl]

I have a light brahma that gets lost from the flock a lot. She can't seem to see them unless they are very close to her. The other day she was chasing a white leghorn and the leghorn moved to the right and the brahma girl ran smack into a white 5 gallon bucket. She had plenty of time to move but I don't think she must of seen it. Her eyes look perfectly normal but I know she can't see normally.

 

[gritsar]

Given time and protection while they are young they can learn to take care of themselves. I babied my half blind hen when she was young, offered her extra feedings and protection from the roo's advances. She barely kept weight on, she had such a hard time eating.
Last night when we put them to bed I put Lil' Bit up on a roost, as usual, since she can't judge distance enough to get on one by herself. My DH remarked at the time on how very full her crop was. She's a regular Miss Piggy now. Good layer and does great as part of my free range flock. They just take extra care as youngins.