Eyes- Uh Oh (Update)

[peepinglaura]

We have a one day old chick who can't open his eyes. We've washed his eyes (to his great objection) but they won't remain open. I could but the antibiotic eye ointment, but the tube is expensive and in a much greater quantity than I need. Also, feed stores around me are now closed. Any thoughts?

Laura

Update- how did I miss this? He' s having huge difficulties keeping his head up. That's bad news, isn't it? I m off to search the archive. Wh

 

[satay]

Not knowing why it is his eyes wont stay open,my only suggestion would be if they look swollen at all is to try washing them in a tea solution. Get a normal tea bag pour boling water over it and let it cool. Once cool wash the eyes with that. Good luck with your new chick.

 

[peepinglaura]

Tea, huh? The eyes don't look swollen. I'll research tea. I wasn't expecting chicks at all right now (mom hen went broody, then got eaten). I really feel sorry for this fellow, but I also feel sorry for me- I don't want to raise a blind bird right now.

Sigh,

Laura

 

[peepinglaura]

I see posts about neck difficulties in older chicks but not newborns. I don't think he's suffering but eye shut and head down can't be good. He had a rough hatch. Any thoughts? Anyone?

Thanks,

Laura

 

[peepinglaura]

Another has gummed- shut eye as well. Cn you give polysporin eye ointment to chicks?

Laura

 

[texas_is_home]

Quote:
Thanks for the info on that. I'm gonna use that next time any of my chicks arrive with eye problems.

 

[Eggs4Sale]

You can put Neosporin, or the generic triple antibiotic ointment in a chicken's eye. I have a 1 oz. tube of the latter that I used on a hen. The tube cost less than $3 at Albertson's or Fry's.

 

[Eggs4Sale]

But since he's hanging his head, it sounds like the eye problem may be the least of your concerns. Hope this turns out well for you.