Hen has gone blind

[Charlotte D]

Hi, we rescued four lovely ex-commercial hens two years ago. One died earlier this year after a very happy retirement in our garden.
The boss, Racquel, is now unwell. Seemingly suddenly on Saturday she lost her eyesight and didn't come out of the house. Her eyes are clear and shiny, her feathers are as glossy and abundant as ever and her comb is red and plump, however she now just stands around and closes her eyes as if she is feeling poorly. She is not able to find her food or water and I have been hand feeding her the last few days. She's having bits of water and is loving berries and corn but shows no interest in her usual feed. She is also not scratching around so isn't getting any grit.
I guess what I'm after is a second opinion. It seems to me that she is likely to starve if left the way she is. She wouldn't appear to be taking enough food from me in order to stay healthy for any period of time. This is the first time I've been in this position with a hen and I am struggling to know what to do with her her given that she seems reasonably healthy other than the fact that she can't see. I understand the fact that she has gone blind suggests that she is probably not as healthy as she seems.
Have you heard of such a situation before?

If I am to get her put to sleep is anyone able to recommend a vets in the West Yorkshire area that would be able to assist? I have rang my local office but they have said it would be £30 and that is not including cremation. This seems quite expensive to me. I don't feel strong enough to be able to end her life myself.
I hope to hear from you soon.
With best wishes.

 

[black_cat]

@Eggcessive @Wyorp Rock @azygous @HeatherKellyB

 

[Eggcessive]

Sorry about your hen. Are you able to post any pictures of her eyes? There are many causes of blindness in chickens. Mareks disease is probably best known, but there are also cataracts, peck injuries, infections, vitamin A or E deficiency, ammonia burns from droppings in a coop, and early exposure to avian encephalomyelitis (epidemic tremors.)

Do you have any friends or neighbors who hunt or fish, who might be willing to put her down for you if necessary? Some chickens can adjust to finding food and water if they are in a familiar setting that is not too large.

 

[Charlotte D]

Hi, thanks for your reply. I have taken some photos this morning, after she's eaten almost an entire scrambled egg and a little bit of water. She looks totally bewildered.

 

[black_cat]

Hi, thanks for your reply. I have taken some photos this morning, after she's eaten almost an entire scrambled egg and a little bit of water. She looks totally bewildered.

Is she trying to move around at all, or just sitting there?

 

[Charlotte D]

She's just sitting. She looks frightened to move, to be honest, just as you would expect I'd you'd gone suddenly blind. Another person has suggested maybe a neurological episode or stroke. The first day she moved more but now is just still.

 

[Eggcessive]

Do you have a coop where she could remain inside near food and water, and see if she will be more comfortable as you offer her food and water? You could try her in a pen or larger dog crate with food and water, but that might scare her too. She might have some sight of light and dark, that would help her find food. It is ultimately up to you what to do, but there may not need to be any hurry in making that decision.

 

[FoxManor]

Has she laid an egg in awhile? I had an old production Leghorn that behaved this same way. She looked healthy and plump (for a leghorn) but would just sit with her eyes half closed or stand around looking confused. She acted blind (I have no idea if she was or wasn’t) and would only eat treats offered. She never strained like she was laying until the very end. It was only after she’d passed that we found she had an egg taking up nearly all the space in her that would never ever have been laid based on its size. I wonder if something similar has happened to your lady?

 

[Charlotte D]

Do you have a coop where she could remain inside near food and water, and see if she will be more comfortable as you offer her food and water? You could try her in a pen or larger dog crate with food and water, but that might scare her too. She might have some sight of light and dark, that would help her find food. It is ultimately up to you what to do, but there may not need to be any hurry in making that decision.

I think this is what I was hoping you would say and is also the advice I have received from someone elsewhere. I needed to know that it was ok to give her the benefit of the doubt for a while, which I know sounds a bit ridiculous, but I couldn't bear the thought of her suffering. I have ordered some Emerald which is meant to be very good as an intensely nutritious feed to keep her strong. I have ordered a worm test kit to see if she's clear in that respect. I do sometimes think she has a little bit of sight. I will continue and will keep in touch. Thanks

 

[Charlotte D]

Has she laid an egg in awhile? I had an old production Leghorn that behaved this same way. She looked healthy and plump (for a leghorn) but would just sit with her eyes half closed or stand around looking confused. She acted blind (I have no idea if she was or wasn’t) and would only eat treats offered. She never strained like she was laying until the very end. It was only after she’d passed that we found she had an egg taking up nearly all the space in her that would never ever have been laid based on its size. I wonder if something similar has happened to your lady?

This is really interesting. I believe she's always been a decent layer - she could still be laying now, I have three hens but they're all rescues and lay intermittently - I never know who has laid positively, we just get one or two per day. She has a lovely plump red comb so it's possible she is still laying, but yours is a very interesting hypothesis.
I have an old cat too who is very fussy with his food, so I totally get it when animals start just wanting to eat sweeties and nothing else besides