is it safe to put this chick with others

[micaheart]

I was out at a farm yesterday visiting and the woman who owns it had some new bantams she had picked up at an auction a couple of weeks ago. She is in her 70s and while she takes pretty good care of her animals she seemed a little overwhelmed. I noticed one of the little banties was about half the size of the others and not quite with the program. I picked it up and noticed one eye was matted shut/gone/pecked out???? I'm not sure. It was very thin, breast bone sticking out, etc. She said she was worried about it. Long story short, I took it home to see if I could nurse it back to health and give it a second chance. Now that I have it home (last night) I'm not sure what to do. I will probably try to take it to the vet tomorrow (today is sunday) if it survivies. It seems to maybe be totally blind. I dip it's beak in water and it will drink. I can't get it to eat. It doesn't run away at all when I try to pick it up. Not sure if it is too weak or it can't see me coming. I cleaned up the eye area last night, but it wasn't goopy or anything. I did put neosporin on just in case. Not totally sure yet if she can see out of her other eye. I'll try to post a pic. I have some other little chicks her age and I'm wondering if I should put her with them. They might be able to teach her to eat, etc. I think this is why she is still alive, since she had other chicks around her at her other home, even though she seemed to be barely surviving. I know this is a long post, sorry. I'm just wondering if it is safe to put her with the others, since, what is she has something contagious??? None of the other chicks at this ladies house looked obviously sick. She does cry like she is lonely. She can hear my other chicks and does move toward their sound (they are in a nearby cage). Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thank you.

 

[Imp]

I think you should keep it seperate for a month or so. You don't know if it has something contagious. nd that seems very likely from your description. If you are worried about it being lonely try a stuffed toy or featherduster. Or can you get another one from your friend? You could put a little sugar in the water for energy. Try feeding it scrambled egg, or yogurt. What was it eating at the farm?
Good luck,

Imp

 

[micaheart]

Thank you so much. I wish I would have thought to bring a friend. Unfortunately, this lady lives a few hours from me. My daughter just posted this same problem along with a picture under Jujubean99. I didn't know how to delete my post or add a pic, so she added another, so will continue discussion there. But thank you so much. I have since determined that it can see out of one eye and it will eat out of my hand if I hold it, but not in it's cage. Weird.

 

[Imp]

Quote:
I'll watch for that thread. Good luck.

Imp