Newly hatched chick. NO EYES! **UPDATE 1-31-12** SHE LAYED!!!!!!!!

[Zinnia-Hen]

I'm so glad you're devoting your care on him/her. Meanwhile you should call him/her Beady Peterson.

 

[Cajunrose]

My blind one (the one in my avatar) was probably 2 weeks old before I was sure she would make it. She was a month old before she started thriving...not sleeping all the time, etc. She is still not as brightly colored as the other barred rocks...her comb and her face barely has any color in it. She is doing well though.

Stephenie

 

[fishman65]

if he will drink from a dropper you might try a bottle drinker for a caged animal. Hang a LITTLE BELL next to the drinker that way it rings every time he drinks and the sound will help him find the waterer. soon it will associate the ring with water. good luck...

 

[Tres Amigas]

Bless your heart for your care and determination, whatever the outcome. If it were mine, I would call her "Rae Charles" or, if a roo; "Ray Charles." I hope you end up with a wonderful companion either way. The success stories on this thread touched my heart.

Good luck-- we're pulling for you both.

 

[Rainstorm]

Another small update, not much to update except that ive still got him eating and drinking! still doing it in a paper plate but I am teaching him to drink from a bowl instead of the dropper, he still gets a couple drops from it just to make sure he stays hydrated, Will try adding a few more photos tomorrow

funnystory though, yesterday morning i got up in middle of night to feed and water him, had my head laying on one arm on the homemade incubator with him on top in the paper plate and my hand in the plate tapping to make him eat, woke up about 45 mins later still laying against the incubator and he had crawled up under my hand and went to sleep with me!

and I told myself I wasnt going to get attached

 

[NewToFarming]

I would love to see updated pictures!!! You are doing an awesome job!!! It seems I always get so much more attached to the ones that need help to get started in life!!!

The little chick will love you just as much though too!!!

 

[ThePolishPrincess]

That's awesome!

I had a friend who owned over 50 chickens, they lived in a HUGE run that was uncovered and suffered multiple predator attacks. Every once in a while, the giant flock was even let out to free-range. One of the hens was totally blind (her eyes were yellow? No pupil dialation and could not see me when I was coming). She knew exactly where everything was: her food, water, coop, and the door. This was especially neat to me, because this run was SO big. She was never bullied by the other birds and spent most of her days sitting on a log under the shade.

Given the circumstances, I think this baby has a great chance. I just hope, as it was mentioned before, that there are no under-lying problems that cannot yet be seen.

 

[Steph Martin]

I am a SUCKER for the underdog. Poor little angel!! A lot of people might tell you that if he was born and raised by a mother hen than nature would take its course...that said, we aren't hens...I'd help him out. Even if he gets a limited time on earth make it a nice time! Then again, I'm the dumb dumb that lost 11 chicks to a family of raccoons -- swore venegence -- set a trap -- laid in wait and then once I caught the coon LET IT GO cause I couldn't bear to hurt it. Best of luck to you.

 

[curious1969]

I had one hatch a few years ago without any eyes as well. The poor little darling only lived for ten days, but I feel better knowing he was happy in his short time here. He was with me most of the time, I made a small sling for him and he was content to just hang out with "mom". I have never cried more than when he passed on, but I would not give up the memories for anything.

 

[Jencleg]

We need new pictures!!