New chicks...one has no eyes...horrific

[Dottie the Chicken]

I would hate to be in that situation. I wouldn't want to baby her my whole life.

 

[HappyDuckie]

I'm becoming quite disappointed with all these obvious deformities being sent out with these big name hatcheries. It seems to be becoming a thing now days. Or maybe i just haven't heard of it before finding this site. Regardless, its unacceptable...

I agree. It's terrible, really. The poor chicks, and the poor people who have to end up dealing with them.

 

[CoopsNPoops]

Although raising a blind chicken can be done, none of us would blame you if you decided to cull. It's a very big responsibility, and it doesn't have to be your responsibility. Raising a special needs anything isnt for the faint of heart, let alone a special needs chicken who are meant to be nearly independent.

 

[dct10]

Yes.. we noticed her head seems to be misshapen as well. Found an article written by a Vet that says this can happen when the incubator was too hot. This makes sense. I have now sent 3 emails to Murray McMurray asking them for guidance. No reply other than acknowledging receipt of the mssgs. I sent them photos as well. No reply. I'm very upset by this as they messed up our order last year and sent 4 cockrels we did not order. We paid for sexing and only intended for one cockrel. Now we are still dealing with trying to rehome them. I specifically asked them to please take some extra care in filling this order as I'm trying to correct the ratios and cannot have another rooster. I can't imagine how this could have happened. She was so obviously malformed. We saw it the instant we opened the box. How did their handlers not see it? She was sexed, vaccinated and boxed so assuming 3 different people failed to see this blatantly obvious and sad deformation. We would happily raise her and care for her if she was just blind, but she still cannot eat or drink and she chirps relentlessly. I can only imagine the poor thing is in pain but wanted to give her a fighting chance.. We needed guidance from the hatchery if this is a known problem and if there's anything we can do for her. I have to say, the thought of having to put this poor soul down upsets me beyond words. We love animals and could not intentionally harm them. It appears I'm going to have to.

 

[dct10]

Although raising a blind chicken can be done, none of us would blame you if you decided to cull. It's a very big responsibility, and it doesn't have to be your responsibility. Raising a special needs anything isnt for the faint of heart, let alone a special needs chicken who are meant to be nearly independent.

I'm afraid blindness is not her only problem. She cannot eat or drink on her own. We are giving her water, baby food and egg yolk through a dropper. She has a difficult time swallowing it and it looks like she's choking at times. I believe her problems are extensive.

 

[neo71665]

I know you don't want to but it really sounds like culling is best for the poor thing.

 

[Mutchi]

Yes.. we noticed her head seems to be misshapen as well. et that says this can happen when the incubator was too hot. This makes sense. I have now sent 3 emails to Murray McMurray asking them for guidance. No reply other than acknowledging receipt of the mssgs. I sent them photos as well. No reply. I'm very upset by this as they messed up our order last year and sent 4 cockrels we did not order. We paid for sexing and only intended for one cockrel. Now we are still dealing with trying to rehome them. I specifically asked them to please take some extra care in filling this order as I'm trying to correct the ratios and cannot have another rooster. I can't imagine how this could have happened. She was so obviously malformed. We saw it the instant we opened the box. How did their handlers not see it? She was sexed, vaccinated and boxed so assuming 3 different people failed to see this blatantly obvious and sad deformation. We would happily raise her and care for her if she was just blind, but she still cannot eat or drink and she chirps relentlessly. I can only imagine the poor thing is in pain but wanted to give her a fighting chance.. We needed guidance from the hatchery if this is a known problem and if there's anything we can do for her. I have to say, the thought of having to put this poor soul down upsets me beyond words. We love animals and could not intentionally harm them. It appears I'm going to have to.

im just like you i know i need to do something that harms the animal, but i just cant.

 

[dct10]

I know you don't want to but it really sounds like culling is best for the poor thing.

yep. I've been researching HOW to do this and all methods seem awful. Thought about wrapping her in a towel and backing the truck over her. Is that terrible?

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Yes.. we noticed her head seems to be misshapen as well. Found an article written by a Vet that says this can happen when the incubator was too hot. This makes sense. I have now sent 3 emails to Murray McMurray asking them for guidance. No reply other than acknowledging receipt of the mssgs. I sent them photos as well. No reply. I'm very upset by this as they messed up our order last year and sent 4 cockrels we did not order. We paid for sexing and only intended for one cockrel. Now we are still dealing with trying to rehome them. I specifically asked them to please take some extra care in filling this order as I'm trying to correct the ratios and cannot have another rooster. I can't imagine how this could have happened. She was so obviously malformed. We saw it the instant we opened the box. How did their handlers not see it? She was sexed, vaccinated and boxed so assuming 3 different people failed to see this blatantly obvious and sad deformation. We would happily raise her and care for her if she was just blind, but she still cannot eat or drink and she chirps relentlessly. I can only imagine the poor thing is in pain but wanted to give her a fighting chance.. We needed guidance from the hatchery if this is a known problem and if there's anything we can do for her. I have to say, the thought of having to put this poor soul down upsets me beyond words. We love animals and could not intentionally harm them. It appears I'm going to have to.

I wouldn't think of it as intentionally harming her, since it is for her sake as well. Putting her down means she doesn't continue to be in pain.

 

[dct10]

I wouldn't think of it as intentionally harming her, since it is for her sake as well. Putting her down means she doesn't continue to be in pain.

I'm so pissed off at the hatchery