I am such a softy!

[Chickenaddict]

I am not sure this is in the right place but was unsure of where it should go.
A friend of mine just picked up some nice cochin banties and while she was there she noticed they had a black frizzle hen they were trying to get rid of as well. The downside is she is a "special needs" chicken with only one eye. Upon talking to DH about it he bluntly said NO WAY! Well he isn't the one taking care of the birds, buying feed, changing bedding/waterers anyway so I am going for it. I have a red double frizzle hen who in herself is somewhat special needs being her feathers are sooo brittle they are always breaking off leaving her half naked. She is very lonely and her other friends the ground dwelling silkies have since gone broody in the same nest.
Anyone else out here have a one eyed chicken? I am curious to hear from you about how taking care of them has been? I want to prepare myself for this little one and give her the best possible protection. My flock is pretty easy going. I do plan on quarentining her for at least 30 days first but do you all think once she passes quarentine the others will pick on her because of her disability? I am still waiting to hear back from the folks who have her to determine if this was a genetic issue or an injury.

Now to clear a spot in the dog house for myself once DH finds out what I have done despite him telling me no.

 

[Chicken Boo]

I have seen several posts of one-eyed and blind chickens.

 

[MagsC]

She sounds like she really needs you!

I guess I wouldnt worry too much because she does have one eye to see out of. Go for it.

(As far as DH's...sigh...hopefully you wont be in the doghouse too long!)

 

[Chickenaddict]

Thanks MagsC if he gets too bent out of shape perhaps he will be the one sleeping in the dog house

Once I have my mind set there is no changing it

and Yep I do believe she needs me

Think I'll name her bandit (one eyed bandit)

 

[FireTigeris]

I have 2 one eyed doves, Path and One-Eye they flay and everything- she'll be fine.

 

[chickletranch]

Hi,

We have 2 chickens who are blind in one eye, and 1 bantam who's completely blind. The one-eyed birds seem to do just fine. I had a favorite hen who passed about 6 months ago, who was blind in one eye. After losing sight in one eye (due to an injury, we think), she became very fearful of the other birds, and wasn't eating enough. I brought her into the house and fed her for a couple of weeks. Each day, I would take her outside for about an hour, so she could scratch around by herself. Then I took her out to feed with the others, while standing over her. I think she started to think of me as her "rooster", and would run to me for protection. When she was strong enough, I started putting her in the coop at night. Then, one day, she gravitated to one of the roosters, became his number one hen and was part of the flock after that. It was a process to get her integrated, but definitely worth it to see her happily roaming with the others. I really feel like she needed to build up her confidence!

Our blind bantam hen is in a separate hutch, along with a small companion hen who was always skittish around the other bantams. They do well together. I make sure
the food and water are always in the same spot and she gets around just fine. She hears the other birds and squawks in response. She and her "sister" snuggle up together at night. The vet thinks her blindness was caused by a virus or parasite.

Best of luck with your hen!
Lynn

 

[The Chicken People]

I rescued one that is blind in one eye. But she had been the bully and pecked almost all the feathers outta her coop mate! They are both doing well and will be added to my flock in a few weeks!

 

[Chickenaddict]

Thanks guys! I feel more confident now. this hen is apparently used to being in the house so that will stay the same. Perhaps in the summer when the birds free range I'll set her up in her very own tractor with my other frizz. Her bad eye was due to an injury, they said partial blindness so she should do just fine