Odd/Oval shaped eye opening

[michrocks]

I bought 8 barred rocks in March and they're all doing wonderfully. My sister-in-law's daughter had various chickens for fair this year and after fair they offered some of the extras to me. I took 5 buff rock hens. SIL pointed out that a few of the buffs had odd shaped eye openings. I think at least 4 out of the 5 appear to have oddly shaped openings, but two are more pronounced than they others They appear overly large and elongated. I have also noticed that the two that have the most pronounced odd shaped eye opens move their heads oddly. Could they have vision issues? I've taken a photo of one of them, but not sure how to post it the forum since I'm a new member and have not checked into that yet. Thanks for any feedback!

 

[islafarm]

Hi! Welcome to BYC!

When you say eye openings do you mean the shape of their iris, or the shape of the skin surrounding the eye? Pictures would of course help. Are they in quarantine? Does their previous owner have anything to say about them ?

 

[michrocks]

No, not the eye, but the skin (eye lids) around the eye. I'm working on the picture. All she said about them is what I posted above and that they came this way as chicks. Yes, they are in quarantine.

 

[michrocks]

Okay, here is a pic of the worst/most pronounced of them.

 

[islafarm]

Yeah that's strange. I hope someone with more experience can give you some answers. If it was just the one I'd say it was an issue left from an old infection. But if they've had it since hatch then it must either have been a developmental issue with the eggs or hereditary. Sorry, not more helpful!

 

[michrocks]

I think my biggest concern at this moment is if they have vision problems, might they have difficulties when integrating them with my existing hens? I'll have to watch carefully to make sure they're not picked on and pushed out of the feed, etc.

 

[islafarm]

I have a pullet with an eye infection now and she's having a hard time pecking at the food accurately - are they able to find seed amongst grass, or chase and catch insects? React to a overhead threat (maybe a towel waved over their run would tell you)? If so then I imagine their vision is pretty good. Your existing hens might be attracted to the difference in the color around their eyes, but probably not. Did all the previous owner's hens share the same issue? If not and she had no trouble with bullying, then you are probably safe, give or take the regular introductory squabbles. Good Luck!