New chick won't open eye, keeps head tilted.

[shelleyb1969]

I have a BLRW chick that hatched late yesterday evening, and it's got a problem. It keeps it's head tilted to one side, and the eye that faces up stays closed. I've taken a warm towel and washed the eye and opened it, but the chick won't keep it open. I think the problem with the eye is why the chick is keeping it's head tilted? Has anyone ever seen this, or can anyone suggest what I should do?

Other than not being able to walk "smoothly", the chick responds to the others and attempts to groom itself. It's too young to eat yet, but I am forcing it to drink sugar water from time to time.

I am searching the web for info about this, but not finding anything. I'll keep trying...

 

[shelleyb1969]

I got a vitamin/mineral/electrolyte supplement for the new chicks, and started giving it to them this afternoon. I'm "hand watering" the problem chick to make sure it stays hydrate. I'm really hoping this is just a vitamin deficiency. It is doing better than it was this morning...moving around more, more alert, grooming it's fluff more. So hopefully by tomorrow night I will see even more improvement.

 

[shelleyb1969]

This little guy is doing better. We've named him Ed...aka Special Ed.

He's walking around with the others, but still keeps his head down and tilted so he can see with his one good eye. I just can't figure out why he won't use the other eye, as it appears perfectly normal. I'm still hoping that with a few more days of the vitamin supplement, he'll continue to get better and keep that eye open. I still haven't seen him eat, and I still force him to drink water just so I know he's at least getting some type of nourishment. At this point, he's definitely not suffering, so as long as he shows improvement I won't consider putting him down. The other 2 chicks "help" him, so they haven't given up on him neither.

 

[cherndon712]

Did you ever figure out what was wrong? I just hatched a d'uccle that won't open either of it's eyes.

 

[Attack Chicken]

I hope lil Ed makes it

you'll have to get pictures.

 

[henlady]

I had one years ago - and her eyelid was crusted shut. I applied warm water with a Q-tip and she was able to open it. Before I did that she wouldn't eat on her own - so I believe it saved her life. She was healthy and fine after that. That's my advice!