Covering over my quail chick's eye?

[hmknemw]

I have been hatching quail for about 6 months and I have been doing pretty good not to many issues until today. I have a new quail chick that has... it's almost like the inside of the shell ( the skin) that has grown over it's eye and the eye is not open. I am worried because this chick had a hard time even coming out of the shell. It took me and my husband to help open it and then took another 24 hours to even try to come out. This also made the 27th day of incubation on a bobwhite I know weird. I'm wondering if anyone can give me any ideas of what this is or what I can do to help the little chick.

 

[TwoCrows]

Welcome to BYC and the quail forums!

As good as it sounds to help the little guys out of the egg, it is never a good idea. Sometimes helping them out works out and sometimes not. This is natures way of weeding out the weak ones. If they can not pass the test of getting out of the egg, then their chances of survival are slim at best. More people will tell you that they have done the same thing, and regret it as the chick, in the end, had to be put down.

This chick probably has some sort of genetic defects or just did not develop properly and there is little you can do about it. You can add vitamins, minerals, probiotics and such things to the water to boost his immunity, but as for his eye, there is probably little you can do for him. If he seems to be struggling in life a bit too much, you may need to put him down.

If he seems to be in fair condition over all, you could always make a house pet out of him to offer him a better life than with the flock out of doors, if he is unable to keep up with the others. He will probably be the lowest in pecking order and get picked on, should he survive.

Good luck with your babies!

 

[Quailsong]

TwoCrows said it well. While some folks get lucky when they force-hatch an egg, usually the outcome is far worse. At best, a bad hatch leaves you with a 'defective' but cute house pet. At worst, you may have to cull it, which in my opinion is much harder emotionally than just letting the egg be.

If the chick seems to have a skin over the eye from the egg itself (and is not a defect), then you could try to put some ointment on the eye (very gently!) to see if it softens & comes off, letting the eye open. Unfortunately I don't have an idea of what type of commercial ointment to recommend for this specific issue, perhaps someone else here will have an idea. (I have heard of an ointment called Terramycin, but I believe it's for infections, but something to consider if the eye problem worsens.)

 

[hmknemw]

Thank you for your advice. I greatly appreciate the replies. I will try the ointment and vitamins if that doesn't work then my the 13 month old son has another new pet.

 

[Sycamore27]

(I have heard of an ointment called Terramycin, but I believe it's for infections, but something to consider if the eye problem worsens.)

I would recommend the Terramycin for the eye regardless of if it is an issue with the eye or a piece of egg membrane. If membrane were adhered to the eye for any length of time it would likely prevent natural drainage, i.e. tears clearing the eye. Also touching around the eye to apply the ointment would have a chance of introducing germs to the eye and the ointment will offer some protection and healing. If the eye is injured but not completely ruined it may be able to heal if you apply the ointment for a week or so. I've used Terramycin on a gecko I was rehabilitating in the past and it helped her keep her eyes and preserved her vision even though she couldn't see normally still.

I would also suggest you put a probiotic supplement in the chicks water to help bolster his immune system, in addition or rotation with vitamins.

Good luck with this little one and keep us posted.
Cheers,
Jessie

 

[Quailsong]

Thank you, Sycamore. I've never used that ointment so I didn't want to recommend it be solely used if I couldn't personally verify the safety of it. I'm glad you have used it with great results, even with other critters.