lump under baby chicks eye

[mandi84]

hi, i am new to having chickens/baby chicks, i bought 4 baby chicks at 1 day old, they will be 3 weeks old in 2 days, a few days ago i noticed one of my baby chicks had a small bump under its eye, ive been keeping a close watch on it, it got a little bigger, and this morning i noticed its eye is now shut and cant open, im very worried i have no idea what it is or what i should do about it. could any one please help me? it seems to be eating and drinking fine and acts lively like the other chicks..

 

[PoultryPedia]

Goodness!
I have no experience with this... but a suggestion that comes to mind is to dampen a washcloth with very warm water and gently hold it around the area. I'm thinking that would help increase circulation there, speed healing and help scab slough off sooner.
I would make sure the chick stays warm enough, and give it extra nutrition, too, to help its immune system and strength. Some good options are:
* Poly-Visol children's liquid vitamins (the kind WITHOUT IRON) is good & is about $4 at any pharmacy. You give 2-3 drops/day.
* Poultry Nutri-Drench and other good poultry supplements are available at some feed stores or online at Jeffers Supply.
http://www.jefferslivestock.com/ssc/product.asp?CID=2&pf_id=16796
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I found a thread that says a crusty bump under the eye can be caused by Fowl Pox / Avian Pox. See post #14 on thread at
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=32016
and https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?pid=3151498
* Note: If you use Neosporin be SURE it is NOT the kind that includes painkiller. That kind can be fatal for chickens.

http://pubs.ext.vt.edu/2902/2902-1094/2902-1094.html
"Dry Pox" brown/yellow bumps on face, comb and body - bumps look like scabs in 2-4 weeks.

Don't pick off a scab when it develops, because that might damage the eye. However, you can lift the corner of scab if you need to put in any medicine drops or saline that is recommended.

http://www.chickens-and-coops.com/poultry-disease-symptoms.html
Chickens with wart-like nodules on one or more of the featherless areas of the body, including the feet, legs, base of the beak, and eye margin should be considered suspect cases of avian pox. The birds may appear weak and emaciated if the lesions are extensive enough to interfere with their feeding. Some birds may show signs of labored breathing if their air passages are partially blocked. Although the course of this disease can be prolonged, birds with extensive lesions are known to completely recover if they are able to feed.

If bumps develop that make it hard for chick to eat, soften them with Neosporin and try to remove them enough that chick can eat.

Vitamin A is especially important in treatment, and antibiotics may be necessary if the case becomes severe & the chick gets a secondary bacterial infection.

There is more info on the disease on webpage below. Warning: It shows graphic photos of extreme cases.
http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/1,1607,7-153-10370_12150_12220-26362--,00.html

** Note: This disease is contagious but I think in most cases it generally doesn't cause long-term problems for a chicken that has it.
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Best wishes!

Good for you looking for help for the little one.