Help! Blind Chick? I was too late, Blind Tiny is gone.

[ChicknThief]

We have a BR chick that hatched a few days ago that has failed to thrive, and we suspect that he/she is blind. We noticed yesterday that it's eyes were sealed shut. We took a warm, wet washcloth to them, and a LOT of fluid expressed from them. It wasn't pus, as it was very clear. I waved my hands if front of it when it's eyes were open and was rewarded with no reaction at all. Is there any way to bring the sight back?


We just feel so horrible. This is a Hawkeye baby.

 

[chrisf]

I have a baby that hatched 4 days ago that has this in one eye, I thought it was going to die as it seemed lethargic and underdeveloped. It is now doing much better than expected and is eating and drinking with its siblings, thank goodness, as it is the last of my hatching Onagadori of the season........Good luck and hang in there...........

 

[Iluvmychickens]

I have a blind cockeral named Fry Pan. He was born blind. He lives in a very large cage in our great room. He is doing really really good.

He is however scared to death of everything. We do let him go outside everyday and we stay with him. All my pullets want to mate with him. He knows what to do he just can't see to do it.

We never once thought about putting him down. If he was sick and blind then we would have. He does require a lot more attention, and more work due to living in the house.

I am very glad we have Fry Pan


DeeDee

 

[d.k]

* Sounds like an eye infection with the tears backing up behind the matted lids. IDK if there are any OTC antibiotic pet eye drops you can get, but I used a protien clearing eye drop sold for contact wearers on Miss Chook's injured eye and it did well in helping her. Called Blink n' Clear, I think. Other than that, set her brooder up the same way every time and she'll likely figure it out, especially if you give her some 'landmarks' to mark off the space. Chook has branches on the ground and pieces of stepping stones in different sizes and shapes that she's familiar with to mark her space. You can also help guide her with sound, stirring her feed in the dish with your fingers or "pecking" at it with them. Pouring water in her dish so she can hear it. Tapping her roost and telling her "bedtime". Things like that. Also, watch for ''disorientation agitation''. Chook expresses her by spinning in a circle because she only sees from 1 eye. If she starts that, I pick her up, calm her&put her at a place she knows.

 

[ChicknThief]

We apparently were a day late and a dollar short in noticing this problem. Blind Tiny is gone.

Thank you all for your support and encouragement. I just wish I had some good news to reward you with.

Cynthia, I am so sorry.

 

[d.k]

 

[Linda in San Diego]

What do you think chick heaven is like? I think it is pleny warm with a feather duster mom and all kinds of good eats. Bye little one!